U.S. travelers preparing for winter 2025/2026 are increasingly turning away from traditional resort hubs and big-city vacation centers. Instead, travelers are embracing lesser-known domestic locations that offer distinctive experiences. According to Airbnb’s winter travel report, as reported by Travel + Leisure, Americans are choosing smaller towns and rural or suburban settings for their seasonal getaways.
The data indicates that 80% of families in the United States are opting for suburban or rural vacation settings rather than major cities or resort areas during the winter season. A further trend shows that nearly a third of those traveling with family are planning stays of seven nights or more. The findings underscore a preference for longer stays in these emerging destinations.
Top Trending U.S. Destinations For Winter 2025
According to the Travel + Leisure article citing Airbnb’s data, the top-trending U.S. destinations for winter include a mix of snow-destination towns and warm-weather retreats. On the snow side, the most-mentioned location is Champion, Pennsylvania. The town is described as a “true winter wonderland,” offering snowy sports, local hospitality, and a “cozy mountain vibe.”
Other cited cold-weather getaways include Dover, Vermont (home to Mount Snow), Campton, New Hampshire, Brighton, Utah (near Salt Lake City), and McCall, Idaho. On the warm-weather side of the list, destinations gaining traction include St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Anna Maria Island, Florida; and Hermosa Beach, California.
Families And Longer Stays Driving the Shift
Airbnb’s report emphasizes that families are leading the winter travel shift in the U.S. With 80% of those traveling with family choosing suburban or rural settings, and around one-third of families planning vacations of seven nights or longer, the data suggest that multi-night and multigenerational trips to these emerging destinations are becoming mainstream. The increase in demand for family-friendly accommodations, such as properties with four or more bedrooms, further supports this observation.
