Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Anchorage, and Chicago are powering up the engines of U.S. tourism this Memorial Day. Yes—Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Anchorage, and Chicago are all set to boost tourism in a big way. With Memorial Day travel surging like never before, these eight cities are not just popular—they’re essential. Travelers are hitting the road and taking to the skies, ready to explore Orlando’s thrills, Seattle’s skyline, New York’s pulse, Las Vegas’ glitz, Miami’s beaches, San Francisco’s charm, Anchorage’s wild escapes, and Chicago’s iconic streets. The Memorial Day travel surge is real, and each of these destinations is making it unforgettable. What you need to know is simple: Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Anchorage, and Chicago are owning the spotlight. This is no ordinary weekend—it’s a full-blown travel revival. Buckle up for what’s next.

The Memorial Day 2025 travel frenzy is officially unleashed, and it’s shaping up to be one for the record books. As AAA reveals top destinations, travelers are making bold moves to beat the crowds, fill the roads, and set sail in record numbers. The energy is electric. The excitement is palpable. The rush is real.

This year’s Memorial Day 2025 travel frenzy is all about momentum. Orlando, Rome, Anchorage, and Paris are leading the charge, each dominating the holiday scene for different reasons. From the thrill of Orlando’s theme parks to the romance of Rome, the wild wonder of Anchorage, and the timeless elegance of Paris, these four destinations are the soul of the season.

Meanwhile, AAA reveals top destinations just as travelers lock in their final plans. Road trips are soaring. Cruise ports are buzzing. And flights to Orlando, Rome, Anchorage, and Paris are filling fast. Families, couples, and solo explorers are all tapping into the same spirit—movement, escape, discovery.

It’s not just a vacation—it’s a moment. Memorial Day 2025 kicks off the unofficial start of summer with purpose, and with more than 39 million expected to travel, this holiday boom fueled by road trips and cruise demand is the strongest in years.

Orlando, Rome, Anchorage, and Paris aren’t just trending—they’re owning the season. Buckle up. Get ready. The Memorial Day 2025 travel frenzy has begun, and AAA’s top destinations are calling.

America is packing up and taking off. Memorial Day 2025 is breaking records—and borders.

With more than 39 million travelers set to hit the road or sky between May 22 and May 26, AAA’s new destination rankings reveal a travel landscape supercharged by cheap gasoline, surging cruise bookings, and a craving for both theme parks and timeless European escapes.

As usual, Orlando reigns supreme domestically, while Rome steals the crown internationally. But this year, the data tells a deeper story—one of recovered demand, rebounding consumer confidence, and an industry grappling to meet an extraordinary travel surge.

Orlando Leads the Domestic Charge as Cruise Ports and Theme Parks Collide

Once again, Orlando, Florida, tops the charts as the #1 U.S. Memorial Day weekend destination. It’s no surprise.

With mega-parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios firing on all cylinders, and proximity to Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise terminals in the world, Orlando’s magnetic pull is stronger than ever.

Families are flooding in. Multi-generational trips are on the rise. Cruise-tour combos are filling up. As a result, hotel occupancy near I-Drive and Kissimmee is nearing capacity, while area airports brace for heavy traffic.

Anchorage and Seattle Benefit from the Return of the Cruise Season

Further north, Anchorage, Alaska, is surging into the spotlight—riding the wave of Memorial Day’s symbolic kickoff to the Alaska cruise season.

Likewise, Seattle is booming, doubling as a Pacific Northwest gateway and an embarkation port for cruise-goers heading to the Arctic frontier.

Expect cruise terminals to be packed, car rentals to be scarce, and airport transfer services under pressure. For the travel industry, it’s a welcome challenge. For travelers, it’s time to book now—or risk being priced out.

Las Vegas, New York, Miami, and Denver Dominate the Middle Rankings

Big cities are roaring back.

Las Vegas is back to pre-pandemic performance, with entertainment, sports events, and luxury stays drawing record crowds. New York City sees a comeback with theater, arts, and culinary tourism. Miami’s beaches and nightlife are primed for action, while Denver’s mountains beckon road trippers seeking early summer hikes.

All these cities have one thing in common: elevated demand. Hotels are nearing full capacity. Rideshare prices are creeping up. Tour operators are scaling to meet the holiday rush.

International Travel Soars as Rome, Paris, and London Capture Hearts

On the international side, Rome, Italy, claims the #1 spot for good reason.

Post-pandemic Europe is once again thriving, and American travelers are seizing the chance to visit the Eternal City—packed with history, cuisine, and springtime beauty.

Next comes Paris, London, Athens, and Barcelona—each seeing elevated demand from U.S. tourists eager for global adventure. Dublin, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Southampton round out the list, with Southampton playing dual roles as both a cultural hub and a cruise launchpad.

Vancouver, the lone non-European in the top 5, owes its success to booming Alaska-bound cruise activity.

Cruise Tourism Creates a New Travel Pattern for Memorial Day

This year, cruising isn’t just back—it’s booming.

Memorial Day traditionally kicks off summer leisure travel, but 2025 marks a turning point. Cruise demand is feeding directly into destination rankings, with cities like Seattle, Anchorage, Southampton, and Vancouver all climbing the list due to their proximity to ports.

For travel agencies and cruise lines, this is a goldmine. Bundled packages, pre-cruise hotel deals, and multi-modal itineraries are soaring. Ports are seeing record traffic—and cities are leveraging that traffic to boost local spending.

Travel Infrastructure Stretched to the Max

However, with the travel surge comes growing pains.

Airports in Orlando, Anchorage, New York, and Denver are forecasting long security lines and record passenger volumes. Rental car shortages are anticipated in Las Vegas, Seattle, and Miami. Highways near major cities are expected to see gridlock conditions.

Meanwhile, hotel prices are climbing, especially in cities hosting both holiday travelers and cruise passengers. Expect last-minute rates to surge across the board.

Local governments and tourism authorities are issuing travel advisories urging early planning, flexible timing, and the use of travel apps to manage expectations.

Why the Spike? A Perfect Storm of Travel Drivers

Several factors are converging:

• Lower gas prices have made road travel more appealing.
• Strong job markets and improved household net worth are boosting travel confidence.
• Delayed vacations and bucket-list urgency are driving international demand.
• Cruise lines have recovered capacity and launched aggressive seasonal campaigns.

Moreover, the 2025 travel season is benefiting from greater flight connectivity, enhanced loyalty programs, and relaxed travel restrictions to Europe.

What the Industry Should Prepare For

If Memorial Day is any indicator, the entire 2025 summer travel season is heading toward record-breaking performance.

Tourism boards should brace for resource strain. Airlines will likely adjust schedules to absorb overflow. Hotels will need to manage overbookings and service gaps. Digital travel platforms must prioritize real-time updates and customer support.

For destination marketers, now is the time to capitalize on visibility—before the July and August waves begin.

Final Word: Book Fast, Travel Smart, Stay Flexible

Memorial Day 2025 is not just a holiday. It’s the first true test of global travel demand post-pandemic.

Whether you’re driving to Orlando, cruising from Anchorage, or jetting off to Rome, this is the year to plan ahead, pack light, and stay nimble.

Travel is back. And it’s moving faster than ever.

The post Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Anchorage, Chicago Set to Boost US Tourism with Memorial Day Travel Surge, What You Need To Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.