(If your home is the U.S. or Canada)
U.S. & Easy Flight/Cruise Getaways for When You Don’t Want a 10-Hour Flight
Domestic and “nearby” travel is still having a major moment. U.S. reports show that Americans are traveling domestically more than ever and are especially drawn to natural landscapes, small cities, and road trips. (iges.us)
At the same time, cruising is exploding again—over 21.7 million Americans are projected to cruise in 2026, with the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and Alaska topping the charts. (tourismanalytics.com)
If you want big memories without long-haul flights, here are 26 U.S. and easy-from-the-U.S. destinations that are especially on-trend for 2026.
1. Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Wyoming
The national park boom isn’t slowing down—after record numbers in 2024, U.S. parks stayed busy through 2025 and are forecast to keep drawing travelers who crave nature and wide-open spaces. (Avoya Travel)
Base in Jackson or West Yellowstone and split your time between geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone and jagged peaks and alpine lakes in Grand Teton. Yellowstone is one of the prettiest places in the U.S. in my opinion!
2. Utah’s Mighty Five Road Trip (UT)
With domestic travelers prioritizing road trips and outdoor adventure, Utah’s “Mighty Five” (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands) is the ultimate red-rock loop. National parks continue to be one of the strongest segments of U.S. leisure travel. (Avoya Travel) Plus the pictures are sooo Instagram-worthy!
3. Acadia National Park & Coastal Maine (ME)
Coastal New England keeps showing up on “best U.S. trips” lists, and Maine is consistently highlighted for its rugged coastline, lighthouses, and small-town charm. (Forbes)
Hike in Acadia by day, then eat lobster rolls in Bar Harbor or explore picture-perfect harbor towns nearby. Check out the overnight ferry up to Nova Scotia to make this a longer trip!
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN/NC)
The Smokies are America’s most visited national park and remain a go-to for families and couples who want hikes, waterfalls, and mountain towns—all within a day’s drive for much of the East Coast. Outdoor and nature-focused trips are among the top domestic travel trends through 2025–26. (Avoya Travel) Dollywood continues to make headlines with their theme park innovations and festivities and downtown Gatlinburg never disappoints!
5. Big Bend National Park & West Texas Ranch Country (TX)
Travel specialists note that “cowboy-core” is trending, with more people seeking working ranches and Western adventures across the U.S. West. (Condé Nast Traveler)
Big Bend gives you star-filled skies, hot springs on the Rio Grande, and the chance to pair it with a ranch stay or small-town arts scene in Marfa.
6. Seattle & Olympic National Park (WA)
Seattle often appears on lists of affordable, culture-plus-nature U.S. trips, thanks to its coffee culture, waterfront, and easy access to mountains and islands. (Africa Wanderlust)
From here, hop a ferry or drive to Olympic National Park for rain forests, hot springs, and wild Pacific beaches. Seattle is also a great city to cruise to Alaska out of so you can combine two kinds of trips! Or do what we did and fly into Seattle, stay a couple days, and take the Amtrak up to Vancouver to experience even more sites and cities!
7. Anchorage & the Kenai Peninsula (AK)
Alaska is getting extra buzz: Travel + Leisure’s “Best Places to Go” list highlights Anchorage and notes a cruise-tourism boom across the state. (Travel + Leisure)
Use Anchorage as your base, then head to Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, or Homer for glaciers, whale-watching, and coastal adventures.
8. Litchfield County, Connecticut
Condé Nast Traveler named Litchfield County one of the “Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2025”, praising its mix of rolling countryside, mid-century design, charming inns, and buzzy small-town food scene. (CT Insider)
Think: covered bridges, antique shops, farm-to-table restaurants, and boutique hotels in historic buildings.
9. Hawaii (Focus: Maui & Kauai)
Tour companies and travel editors continue to highlight Hawaii as one of the best places for a 2025–26 escape, appealing year-round for beaches, volcanoes, and culture. (YMT Vacations)
Maui and Kauai give you a great mix of lush hikes, waterfalls, and beaches, while still being an easy (if long) flight from the mainland. Oahu is also a great island for a first time visit as well. We went for 10 days in 2022 and had a great time!
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Once known primarily as a steel town, Pittsburgh has been named one of the best places to visit in the world for 2025 by Lonely Planet, recognized for its revitalized neighborhoods, arts scene, and festivals. (The Sun)
Expect museums (hello, Andy Warhol), riverfront walks, and surprisingly hip food and coffee.
11. Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville keeps popping up on “best small U.S. cities” lists for its walkable downtown, waterfall-through-the-city park, breweries, and access to the Blue Ridge Mountains—perfect for long weekends. (Holland America Line)
12. New Orleans, Louisiana
With more travelers seeking culturally rich, food-forward trips, New Orleans remains a classic. It’s also a major departure port for Caribbean cruises, making it a fantastic combo trip: beignets and brass bands first, then beaches. (Costco Travel) My family is actually doing this for Spring Break this year because it’s an easy one-day drive from Ohio. Don’t miss the Mardi Gras museum while you’re there and the amazing small shop shopping downtown! What I love about New Orleans is it’s so walkable.
13. San Diego, California
San Diego often ranks among top U.S. coastal getaways thanks to its beaches, mild weather, and laid-back vibe. As domestic travelers prioritize “nearby but relaxing,” it’s an easy pick—especially if you’re tacking on a visit to Disneyland or a Baja cruise. (iges.us) Don’t forget the famous zoo as well!
14. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is a perennial favorite in “best cities” rankings: skyline views from the lake, world-class museums, deep-dish pizza, and summer festivals. With Americans favoring 1–3 domestic trips per year, big-city weekenders like Chicago remain in high demand. (American Express) It’s popular year-round for the variety of things to do and amazing shopping, and then lots of people choose to visit during holidays as well for the holiday parades and celebrations.
15. Denver & the Colorado Front Range (CO)
Denver regularly appears on lists of best and most affordable U.S. trips, praised for its brewery scene, sunshine, and easy access to the Rockies. (Africa Wanderlust)
Use it as a launchpad for Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, or ski towns like Winter Park and Breckenridge. Downtown Denver is also beautiful and easily walkable.
16. Miami & the Florida Keys (FL)
South Florida combines buzzing city energy with island vibes. Miami is a cruise capital for the Caribbean, while drives down to Key Largo, Islamorada, or Key West deliver turquoise water and laid-back bars. Caribbean/Bahamas sailings are the number-one choice for North American cruisers. (Cruise Lines International Association) There’s so much to do in this area as well for those craving culture, culinary scenes or sports! Plus, with it being a major cruise port and having access now to the Brightline, it’s a great choice for a stop.
17. Boston, Massachusetts
The U.S. turns 250 years old in 2026, and Boston is one of the key cities planning anniversary events tied to the American Revolution and Freedom Trail landmarks. (U.S. Travel Association)
Come for history, then stay for harbor cruises, seafood, and day trips to Cape Cod or Salem.
18. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia will also be a major hub for the America250 celebrations in 2026, with events around Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. (U.S. Travel Association)
It’s an easy train ride from New York or D.C., making it perfect for an East Coast history + foodie weekend. It’s also a nice stop if driving from the midwest to the east coast beaches.
19. U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas & St. John)
The U.S. Virgin Islands are increasingly highlighted as a “no-passport-needed” Caribbean paradise for Americans, reachable by cruise or direct flight. (The Traveling Fool)
Expect white-sand beaches, snorkeling, and national-park-protected coves—all with U.S. dollars, no passport needed for Americans, and familiar infrastructure.
20. Puerto Rico
Recent reports show Puerto Rico has become one of the top-searched Caribbean destinations, outperforming many neighbors in traveler interest. (Discover Puerto Rico)
Old San Juan’s pastel streets, El Yunque rainforest, and beach towns like Condado or Rincón make it an easy, culture-rich escape from many U.S. airports. Remember, no passport needed either for U.S. citizens!
21. Cancún & the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Travel brands consistently list Cancún and the Riviera Maya among their top all-inclusive destinations, thanks to easy flights (many airports offering non-stop service), warm waters, and resort variety. (CheapCaribbean)
Stay in the Hotel Zone, quieter Costa Mujeres, or along the Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen and Tulum. There are lots of day-trip excursions to keep you busy if you want to get off resort in this area, which makes it popular as well.
22. Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos shows up again and again in lists of best all-inclusive and beach vacations, offering whale-watching, desert-meets-sea scenery, and luxe resorts. (CheapCaribbean)
It’s an especially easy trip from the West Coast for winter sun and is seen a lot on reality tv shows. Los Cabos is also a popular stop for shorter Mexico cruises out of California.
23. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is famed for its all-inclusive resorts and warm, shallow waters, and recent Caribbean beach roundups highlight its stretches of white sand like Bávaro and Macao. (knycxjourneying.com) It’s a top stop every year for people wanting more affordable AI experiences (with the other area being Cozumel or Cancun, Mexico).
24. Bahamas Cruise (Nassau & Private Islands)
Cruise trend reports show the Caribbean/Bahamas as the top region for North American cruisers, with many itineraries visiting Nassau plus private islands like CocoCay or Half Moon Cay. (Cruise Lines International Association)
Short 3–5 night sailings make this a great “starter cruise” if you’re new to ships or just want a quick, longer weekend type of getaway.
25. Alaska Inside Passage Cruise
The Inside Passage is regularly labeled a bucket-list cruise, praised for fjords, glaciers, and wildlife viewing. (Life Redefined)
Most itineraries sail round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver, making it easy to pair with a Pacific Northwest city stay. However there are great options with land add-ons before and after cruising, so reach out to here more options!
26. Quebec City & the St. Lawrence River (Canada/New England Cruise)
Canada & New England cruises from U.S. ports like Boston and New York visit storybook ports such as Quebec City and Halifax, which experts call out for fall foliage, history, and walkable old towns. (The Points Guy)
If you want Europe-style charm without crossing the Atlantic, this is your move.
How to Use This List in Your 2026 Travel Planning
- Choose one big nature escape (a national park, Alaska, or Hawaii).
- Add one city or small-town long weekend (Pittsburgh, Greenville, Litchfield County, etc.).
- Consider one cruise or Caribbean/Mexico beach trip for easy, mostly-planned-for-you fun.
Want help making these trips a reality? I’m a travel advisor and would love to help you plan! Fill out a quote form on my travel page: https://www.lindsaydollinger.com/travel