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

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.

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

Big cities are roaring back.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Several factors are converging:

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

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.

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.