getaway plans
3 Texas cities land top spots on list of best 2024 summer travel destinations
As the mercury consistently creeps past 90, summer’s imminent arrival is becoming undeniable. And while many Texans look to escape this time of year, the latest data from WalletHub shows that the Lone Star State is still high on the list of summer travel spots – with Austin and San Antonio nabbing the No. 6 and No. 19 spots, respectively.
That's a reversal of last year's ratings, which placed San Antonio (No. 11) higher than Austin (No. 14). El Paso also earned a spot in the top 10, while several other Texas cities made the list of 100.
The personal finance website reports that nearly 82 percent of Americans plan to take a trip this summer, while 42 percent expect to take more than one trip. Comparing 100 metro areas across 41 key indicators of an affordable and fun vacation, WalletHub’s data set ranges from the cost of the cheapest flight to the number of attractions a city has to offer and the average price of a two-person meal.
“When picking a summer travel destination, it’s easy to focus just on the types of activities you want to do or certain cities you’ve always wanted to see,” writes WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe in the report. “However, choosing a destination that’s not only entertaining but also affordable is important ... [D]ining and activity costs have surged so much in recent years. It can also allow you to have a longer, more relaxing trip.”
The report found that Florida and Texas are home to the largest number of top summer destinations in the U.S., each earning at least two metro areas in the top 15. With an overall score of 61.64, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area scored the highest at No. 6. Austin's best category, in which it made No. 10, was attractions.
The San Antonio-New Braunfels area scored an overall 58.96, earning it the No. 19 spot overall and a special recognition as the city with the lowest nightly rate for a three-star hotel room. It was ranked No. 5 for local costs — its best category.
There's plenty to see around Texas, and no one city or type of trip prevails over a well-rounded itinerary. Whether it's glow-in-the-dark kayaking, watching weird performance art, or even sledding on real snow, CultureMap's monthly travel roundups might help readers break out of their comfort zones — without having to hop on a plane.
Other Texas cities on the list of 100 destinations include:
- El Paso, No. 9, with an overall score of 60.88
- Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, No. 29, with an overall score of 56.82
- Corpus Christi, No. 41, with an overall score of 54.74
- Houston/The Woodlands/Sugarland, No. 47, with an overall score of 53.93
- McAllen/Edinburgh/Mission, No. 95, with an overall score of 44.20
The overall number one spot went to the Atlanta metro area, and the full report can be found at WalletHub.com.