The Most popular Spring Break destinations according to TikTok

This year’s spring break travel period is poised to be a busy one, based on the latest projections from AAA and others. While many Americans will venture overseas, most will vacation domestically, seeking out destinations with warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine.

To determine the top cities for a spring vacation in the U.S. this year, social media company Ayrshare conducted a study examining data from TikTok and weather statistics. Researchers analyzed the number of hashtag views for as many as 50 popular U.S. destinations on TikTok, as well as the average weather conditions from March to May, taking into account the average temperature and number of rainy days during this period.

Here are the 10 cities that ranked the highest for 2023.

10. Seattle, Washington
Seattle rounds out the top 10 with a hashtag amassing 242 million views on TikTok, edging out places like Destin, Florida; Phoenix, Nashville, Maui and Las Vegas. Despite its cooler temperatures, the city only averages 8 days of rain during the spring and is home to famous sites and attractions in Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and the Seattle Great Wheel.

9. Los Angeles, California
Finishing with just 500,000 more TikTok views than Seattle, Los Angeles is the ideal spring break destination for those seeking cozy temperatures and minimal rainfall. The Southern California hotspot is as versatile as destinations come, offering a plethora of exciting neighborhoods with unique personalities, access to some of the country’s best beaches and bucket list sites like the Hollywood Sign and Walk of Fame.

8. Charleston, South Carolina
As the team of experts at Ayrshare points out, “Charleston has become a go-to spot for showcasing mouth-watering restaurant menus and culinary adventures in the South.” The South Carolina port city also offers average spring temperatures in the low 70s and convenient access to the Atlantic Coast for those in the mood for a day trip to the beach.

7. Portland, Oregon
Portland takes the crown in the Pacific Northwest, with some 641.6 million TikTok views. Unfortunately, the Rose City’s combination of cooler temperatures and rainy days isn’t likely to impress spring break travelers seeking a reprieve from winter. Nonetheless, visitors will have chances to explore Portland’s inviting parks and gardens and take in the scenic views when they’re not touring some of the country’s top microbreweries.

6. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s 931.8 million TikTok views are nearly 300 million more than Portland, placing it sixth on the list. While not incredibly warm, the Mile High City is renowned for its abundant sunshine and is extremely versatile in that visitors can explore the great outdoors and venture out to Morrison to catch a show at Red Rocks or live the city life downtown.

5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
South Carolina is one of two states to feature multiple destinations in the top 10. A little more than two hours northeast of Charleston is where travelers will find Myrtle Beach, a coastal paradise offering dozens of miles of sandy beaches, a plethora of world-class golf courses and a slew of family-friendly attractions. Its 1.5 billion TikTok views place it comfortably in the top five but are still three times fewer than the number one destination.

4. Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a quintessential spring break destination, appealing to families with kids of all ages. The Theme Park Capital of the World can’t be topped when it comes to fun and entertainment and its balmy springtime weather means visitors can spend plenty of time outdoors exploring downtown and navigating Central Florida’s many theme parks.

3. Washington, DC
Travelers won’t find any palm trees or beaches in Washington, D.C. but the nation’s capital is routinely a big draw this time of year thanks to its iconic cherry blossoms and famous landmarks and attractions like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. As the weather heats up, visitors can walk the National Mall and tour the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex without spending a penny.

2. Austin, Texas
The Texas capital edges out the nation’s capital with 2.3 billion TikTok views this spring. Austin, which prides itself on keeping it weird, is hardly the underrated city it once was but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a premier spring break getaway. Ideal spring temperatures mean travelers can enjoy the outdoors while taking in live music at every turn, sampling world-class comfort food like barbecue and street tacos, floating on Lady Bird Lake and strolling lively strips in Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

1. Houston, Texas
Houston takes the top spot this year with a nation-leading 4.8 billion views on TikTok. The Texas city is propelled by an average spring temperature of 78.9 degrees and attractions to suit all interests, including museums, shops, parks and a burgeoning foodie scene. What’s more, visitors can reach the beaches of Galveston Island in under an hour.