Vacay Vibes: Revealing the Most Popular Getaway Types Across America and Canada

Whether you're dreaming of sandy shores with the family, hitting the open road with friends, or embarking on a solo journey of self-discovery, there's a vacay style for everyone. And for those who can’t bear to leave their furry companions behind, pet-friendly holidays are a must.

But have you ever landed in vacation paradise, ready to kick back, only to realize you've brought along an adventure junkie who treats relaxation like an alien concept? We feel your pain!

We surveyed 3,000 Americans and 3,000 Canadians to uncover which regions of each country are all about adventure and which prefer relaxation. Along with other popular getaway styles ranging from road trips to city breaks.

We also explore vacation trends such as average expenditure, booking habits, yearly travel frequency, and more. Get ready to decode the vacation personality of your state or province!

Key Findings:

• Beach and poolside relaxation is the #1 getaway for both Americans and Canadians
• Adventure holidays claim the runner-up spot for Americans, while vacation preferences across the rest of Canada's provinces vary
• On average, Americans spend just over $2,000 on vacations, Canadians spend $2,700 CAD
• The prime time for booking holidays in America falls between 3 to 6 months in advance, while Canadians tend to book 1 to 3 months ahead
• Family tops the list for both Americans and Canadians as the preferred travel companions

State-cation Sensation: What Type of Vacation is your State?

From serene lakeside holidays to thrilling amusement parks, Americans sure know how to holiday in style. But when it comes to vacations, 34 states have spoken: beach or poolside relaxation is the ultimate getaway type. Residents from states such as New York, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas share a mutual love for kicking back and embracing the relaxation that comes with a vacation by the water. So, if you hail from any of the 34 states and are planning your next trip, you'll be right in sync!

Adventure seekers lead in 7 states, spanning from Hawaii to Connecticut to North and South Dakota. The majority of these states are within the same region of the country, renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty and thrilling outdoor adventures. These types of vacations usually include heart-pounding activities, such as hiking, rock climbing and white-water rafting. Therefore, if you're all about the adrenaline rush, your ideal vacation partner hails from one of these states.

Road trips steal the spotlight in 5 states like Montana, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Looks like they'll be gearing up to sing "on the road again" as vacation season kicks off. Meanwhile, 4 states and D.C. diverge from the norm, favoring holidays ranging from city breaks and cultural experiences to amusement parks, ski trips, and wellness retreats. A real medley of travel tastes and styles!

Glimmering Hollywood: The US city that shines with star power

Peering deeper into the data, we had a look to see which cities birthed the most reality TV stars.

LA claims the throne as the greatest reality city, reigning with its Hollywood celebs and movie industry, while NYC and Chicago eagerly pursue in the chase for stardom in second and third place.

American Vacation Trends

While some individuals thrive on the spontaneity of last-minute bookings, others prefer the peace of mind that comes with planning their vacations well in advance. The majority of Americans lock in their travel plans 3-6 months prior to departure, while another 35% opt for booking 1-3 months in advance.

It appears America isn't a nation of meticulous planners. Not a single state has an average of booking a holiday more than a year before their trip, with just Nebraska standing out with an average of 6-12 months.

However, there are states like Montana (50%), South Dakota (56%), and Maine (40%), where the majority prefer to book their vacations less than a month before their trip. They must have a real knack for snagging those last-minute deals.

The average vacation for Americans comes with a price tag of just over $2,000, ranging from a thrifty $450 in New Hampshire to a lavish $4,000 in Alaska. However, regardless of the budget, every trip serves as an investment in creating memories and experiences.

Our survey also reveals that Americans are typically embarking on two trips per year, often indulging in a week-long getaway to recharge their batteries. When it's time to hit the road, 55% pack up the family, 22% cozy up with partners, 13% gather the gang of friends, while 9% go on the adventure solo. For 1% of Americans, it's all about chasing passions with special interest groups. And as for our furry companions? Well, just 19% of our American respondents are keen to bring them along. But hey, I'm sure the pets enjoy a little vacation of their own back home!

Exploring Canada’s Go-To Getaways, by Province and Territory

Aligned with their neighbors, Canadians embrace the relaxed vacation vibe of lounging by the beach or pool. This preference is shared by seven regions, including Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, highlighting its popularity across Canada. So, whether it's waves or a refreshing pool dip, Canadians know how to unwind in style.

In contrast to America, not a single province or territory selected adventure as their preferred vacation type. Instead, the top choices vary across the remaining regions. For instance, Newfoundland and Labrador residents lean towards cultural vacations, Manitoba favor amusement park holidays, Prince Edward Island opts for camping, and Nova Scotia residents prefer city breaks. So, before jetting off on a trip with someone for the first time, it might wise to ensure you're both reading from the same travel guide!

Canada Vacation Trends

When it comes to vacation trends, Canadian’s prime time booking window is 1-3 months before the trip (37%), with 3-6 months trailing closely behind (36%). This sweet spot ensures they snag the best deals without the stress of last-minute rushes.

And when they’re ready to dive into booking, Canadians are all in, with the average spending just over $2,700 CAD on their vacation. From Prince Edward Island at $1,275 CAD to Nova Scotia at $2,958 CAD, it's a nationwide spending spree.

The average Canadian escapes twice a year, indulging in about 8 days of blissful vacation time. 52% opt for family getaways, 26% choose to travel with their partner, 14% prefer friends as travel companions, and 8% venture out solo. As for their pets, just 14% of Canadians choose to take them along on holiday – I'm sure our furry friends prefer a staycation anyway!

Conclusion

From the sun-soaked beaches to the open road, it's clear that North Americans are pros at embracing the travel bug. Whether it's a family trip to an amusement park or a cozy city getaway for two, the thrill of exploration is alive and kicking.

Methodology:

In May 2024, we conducted a survey involving 3,000 participants from the United States and 3,000 from Canada to explore their vacation preferences and behaviors. This included aspects such as preferred holiday type, average costs, booking practices, frequency of travel per year, and additional factors. Following this, we segmented the data by state for the United States and by province and territory for Canada.

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