NEEDHAM – October 30, 2026 -- New York City is the top domestic winter destination for U.S. travelers, and Cancun is the top international one, according to initial data from Tripadvisor's seasonal Winter Travel Index.
Florida places three destinations in the top 10
Las Vegas and Hawaii also appear among the leading domestic picks. Abroad, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Aruba keep drawing travelers who want a beach during peak snow season.
Thanksgiving favors cities, Christmas favors coasts
For Thanksgiving weekend, travelers head to New York City, Las Vegas and Orlando. For Christmas and New Year, they choose coastal and resort stops such as Key West and Honolulu. Demand concentrates around Christmas and New Year, while shoulder weeks offer better value for budget-conscious travelers.
Quebec City leads the fastest-growing international destinations
Year-over-year searches are rising for Quebec City in Canada, the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands. Domestically, Florida and California family-vacation hubs show the highest growth.
Cultural tours and day trips lead experience bookings
Cultural tours, day trips and outdoor adventure tours are the most-booked experiences on Tripadvisor. Craft classes, day spas, rentals, museums and city walking tours are the fastest-growing newcomers.
Aarushi Kumar, Associate Director of Research and Insights at Tripadvisor Group, says travelers are "not just booking a destination, but looking for something to do when they get there."
The data covers searches made from August 1 to October 31, 2026, for travel between November 1, 2026 and February 28, 2027.