Forbes Advisor has released a list of the best and worst cities to spend your summer vacation in the United States. They evaluated 43 metro areas based on factors such as crime rates, prices, ease of travel, and extreme weather. Jacksonville, Florida, was ranked as the worst city for a summer vacation due to its poor walkability, lack of public transportation, high crime rates, and uncomfortable summer temperatures reaching above 100 degrees.
Other cities that made it to the top of the list of least desirable summer vacation destinations included Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fresno, California; Memphis, Tennessee; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. These cities also had high crime rates, limited dining options, and insufficient transportation systems. On the other hand, the top summer vacation cities in America according to Forbes were Minneapolis, Minnesota; Long Beach, California; Washington, D.C.; Seattle, Washington; and Omaha, Nebraska. These cities were praised for their high walkability, moderate weather, and overall pleasant summer conditions.
The survey did not include international destinations, which are expected to be popular in 2024. According to the U.S. Travel Association, international travel to the U.S. is gradually increasing but has not yet fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic. Top international destinations this year include Cancun, Mexico; London, England; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Paris, France; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Paris, in particular, is experiencing a surge in interest due to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place from late July to September.
Officials estimate that more than 15 million visitors from 206 nations will flock to Paris and its surrounding regions for the games. The Summer Games will kick off with an open-air event along the River Seine against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower on July 26, marking the first time the event does not begin in a stadium. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, both domestic and international travel destinations are seeing an increase in interest as people look to explore new places and experience different cultures during their summer vacations.
