With the promise of spring break and Easter celebrations quickly approaching, families are seeking classic and affordable adventures, urban explorations in mid-size cities, and a chance to recharge both under the sun and on top of the mountains.
Below are some of the top trending destinations for families traveling this spring*:
- Sevierville, TN (180%)
- Atlanta, GA (175%)
- Gatlinburg, TN (173%)
- Jersey City, NJ (156%)
- Houston, TX (155%)
- Dallas, TX (150%)
- Miramar Beach, FL (146%)
- Galveston, TX (144%)
- Tampa, FL (131%)
- Davenport, FL (129%)
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Photo by Bryan Minear on Unsplash
Classic Americana expansions and openings attract families
Budget-friendly, classic American spring break destinations are trending with families this year, including one of our 19 for 2019 trending destinations, the Great Smoky Mountains, with Gatlinburg, Tennessee, known as the Gateway to the Smoky Mountains, up 173 percent. Nearby, Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee is experiencing a 180 percent growth in guest arrivals over this same period last year. With recent Dollywood expansions and the March grand opening of Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Gatlinburg and weeklong concert celebration, families and “grand-trippers” are flocking to the relaxing mountain towns for affordable activities ranging from aquariums, breweries and camping.
Galveston, Texas
Photo by Vashti Collins on Unsplash
Beach getaways gain popularity with all ages
Well-known beach destinations are experiencing significant growth over last year, including Miramar Beach, Florida; Galveston, Texas; and Tampa, Florida – which cracks the top 15 trending spring destinations. Sitting along Florida’s ‘Emerald Coast’ near multiple state parks, Miramar Beach has long stretches of family-friendly beaches. The historic island of Galveston is also seeing a spike in guests this spring perhaps due to its pristine golden beaches chock-full of family fun activities like volleyball and surfing. Lastly, with both big city sports stadiums and museum offerings coupled with a beautiful coastline, Tampa is also seeing a surge with family travelers.
Mid-size urban markets spark new family explorations
However, not everyone is looking for a beachside escape. Many families are pursuing urban adventures in cities like Atlanta, home to Southern hospitality with world-class museums and sports stadiums; Houston, with its multi-cultural melting pot and world famous rodeo drawing guests from every corner of the world; and finally Jersey City, situated right across the Hudson from the Big Apple with an historic downtown and up-and-coming arts scene.
*Based on internal Airbnb data for year-over-year growth for family bookings made for March 1 – April 21, 2019 compared to the same booking period in 2018.