Texas, Florida dominate Top 20 affordable summer escapes with Atlanta leading the charge

The top destination for summer vacations in 2024 is the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia. Freepik

Texas and Florida are home to most of the top 20 destinations for the perfect summer getaway in 2024, both in terms of affordability and the best options for relaxing while having some fun, according to a report by personal finance website WalletHub.

The document, titled "Best Summer Travel Destinations in 2024," compares 100 metro areas (or Metropolitan Statistical Areas, as identified by the U.S. Census Bureau) on 41 key indicators of an affordable and enjoyable vacation across six key categories: Travel Costs & Hassle, Local Costs, Attractions, Weather, Activities and Safety.

The top destination is the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia, with its world-class restaurants, festive nightlife, and abundance of attractions and events.

But part of the reason it's the best summer destination in 2024 is because the cheapest flights from major cities require no connections and can cost as little as $278, the report highlights.

In second place is Washington DC, a great opportunity to enjoy a cosmopolitan city with an amazingly diverse array of history and art museums, such as the Smithsonians, and neoclassical monuments and buildings, including the iconic ones that house the three branches of the federal government - the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court.

The cheapest flights from major cities to Atlanta can cost as little as $278. Freepik

However, it also has a very high number of swimming pools, parks, basketball hoops and tennis courts, WalletHub underscores. The cheapest flights from other major cities tend to have zero connections, with flights starting from $331. The site also mentions that one reason to choose D.C. is that it's really easy to find affordable restaurants that are rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp.

The third spot belongs to a city in Florida. Orlando, the city known for its world-famous theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, the wide offer of shopping centers, as well as its diverse culture and vibrant nightlife scene.

The cheapest flights to Orlando from other major cities have zero connections and cost as little as $308. The lowest nightly rate for a three-star hotel room in Orlando is only $55. The metro area has plenty of affordable, high-quality restaurants to choose from, too. "(It) is very reasonable," WalletHub says.

Texas and Florida: affordable and enjoyable summer destinations

Hollywood Diversity report 2024 — On the West Coast, the Los Angeles metro area is the most attractive destination according to the study. Latin Times/Wikimedia Commons

Looking at the big picture, the states of Florida and Texas each have three cities that are among the top 20 destinations in this year's ranking.

In Florida, we have the aforementioned Orlando (#3), the city of Tampa (#5), and the classic Miami (#14), all in the south of the state.

In Texas, the top choice according to the ranking is Austin (#6), a vibrant city to try Tex-Mex food and enjoy its many parks and lakes, followed by El Paso (#9) and San Antonio (#19).

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the Los Angeles metro area is the most attractive destination according to the study. The city ranks on the twentieth spot of the list.

2024 Summer getaways: 82% of people expected to travel

"Research and reports on upcoming travel trends forecast that the summer of 2024 will be another strong season for domestic travel," told to WalletHub Bridget Niland, dean at the College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management in the Niagara University.

"This forecast, a testament to the travel industry's unwavering resilience, remains strong despite persistent inflation and volatile prices across transportation, accommodation, food, and entertainment expenses," he added.

According to Niland, the percentage of U.S. citizens traveling this summer is predicted to be between 82 and 93 percent. Those of us traveling to U.S. beaches and coastal destinations should expect lots of company in the United States beginning the Memorial Day weekend and continuing strong through July.

"There are elements you can reign in to keep costs affordable. Your food and beverage are always major expenses, which can quickly escalate. Finding inclusive accommodations can alleviate non-stop credit charges while away from home, but be careful to read the fine print to make sure you have enough options to make the trip feel like a treat and not a chore."