Feeling a little bored by your travel prospects? I know where to find your latest inspiration.
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To piggyback off my exploration of some of the coolest Viator tours that you should book over the coming months, I’m presenting Priceline’s latest trends for the coming year. The annual ‘Where to Next’ report forecasts incoming trends based on Priceline’s last year in site data.
In other words, the booking platform analyzes its booking and search stats. Those stats are based on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and bundled packages. (Here’s your reminder: if you’re looking for cheap bundles, head to Priceline’s main home page, then scroll down to find their best deals in ‘spotlights this week’.)
While I can’t guarantee that Priceline’s data-first approach has accurately predicted next year’s travel trends, I promise it’s a great way to get inspired for your next trip. I might also be a little biased because this year’s report includes a section dedicated to ‘Midwest Quests’, and I’m a firm believer that the Midwest doesn’t get enough love from travelers.
Ready to see the Priceline Travel Trends? Let’s dive in.
Priceline travel trends for 2026: get inspired for your next big escape
Little Treat Travel
Have you been craving a solo getaway? Priceline predicts that, next year, more travelers will invest in short, weekend-long escapes—something the report is calling a ‘me-kend’. Even if you can’t swing a whole weekend, don’t forget about single-day escapes, especially those that let you unwind in nature, get away from your phone (and other screens), or check out a new art exhibit or pop-up restaurant.
According to the report, these are five destinations perfect for a me-kend getaway:
- Lake Tahoe, California
- Edmonton, Canada
- Punta Gorda, Florida
- Page, Arizona
- Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico
Midwest Quests
Don’t let the coastal hype blind you to the fact that the Midwest has main-character energy. According to Priceline, it’s the perfect vacation spot thanks to its balance of small-town charm, range of adventures, and delicious eats. (As a Midwesterner, I wholeheartedly agree. Absolutely zero bias involved.) Compared to big cities on the coasts, the Midwest is also budget-friendly.
If you’re looking for a Midwest adventure, start here:
- Bloomington, Illinois
- Saint Charles, Missouri
- Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Columbus, Ohio
Expedition Beach
According to Priceline, a peaceful beach day might not cut it for intrepid travelers in 2026. If you want to take your beach vacation to the next level, go for dramatic cliff views, colorful coral reef snorkel adventures, and even hikes through the lush jungle. In short, get off the resort for a more memorable beach trip.
Priceline suggests going to these five destinations—and I’ve also made a recommendation, too:
- Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
- Kahuku, Hawaii
- Goa, India
- Quito, Ecuador
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Cefalu, Sicily (my pick!)
Tailgate Tourism
If you’re a tailgate champ, consider booking that trip to a popular college town in 2026. It’s the perfect time to travel for a big game, according to Priceline. But which university towns do it best? And which act as a gateway to other standalone destinations?
Here’s where you can expect a fantastic trip that includes a big game day:
- Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
- Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
- University of Texas (Austin, Texas)
- University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California)
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Kidfluence
Gen Alpha might not be planning their own trips yet, but their Gen X and Millennial parents are letting them steer vacation plans. According to Priceline, Gen Alpha tastes revolve around storybook destinations inspired by pop culture. It’s the perfect time to let playfulness and spontaneity lead the way.
If you want to let your kiddos help design your 2026 getaway, these are great spots:
- Hawaii
- NYC
- Japan
- Paris
- England
Dejaview
Along with ‘kidfluence’, next year’s travelers are also getting in touch with their inner children. The Dejaview trend that Priceline has identified focuses on getting back to the places that inspired us, from beaches we visited during childhood to theme parks that spark a sense of child-like joy. Don’t be afraid to get back to your roots in 2026—even if that means retracing your steps to visit a place you’ve gone before.
If you’re on the hunt for that feeling of nostalgia, here’s where to go:
- Disney World & Disneyland
- Universal Studios
- Grand Canyon
- Niagara Falls
- Myrtle Beach
- Cape Cod
