US News & World Report Reveals Best Vacation Rankings for 2022-23
The Best Destinations in the US and the World
The U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its rankings of the best destinations in the world for 2022 and 2023. The annual report includes the World’s Best Places to Visit, the Best Places to Visit in the USA and the Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA. The list was created by experts who analyzed over 1,100 different destinations. Ready to see which ones made the list? Read on to learn more!
The World’s Best Places to Visit
2022 and 2023 continue the trend for lush, naturally stunning destinations that can be enjoyed by beach-goers and active adventurers alike. From last year’s list, South Island continues to top the list as the world’s best place to visit, while Maui unseated Bora Bora for third place.
1. South Island, New Zealand
2. Paris, France
3. Maui, Hawaii
4. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
5. Tahiti, French Polynesia
Best Places to Visit in the USA
The best places to visit in the U.S. remains, as ever, mostly national parks. After such a tumultuous few years, more American travelers and international travelers both desire the freedom of fresh air, blue skies and gorgeous natural surroundings, accompanied by lovely wildlife, all of which can be found in national parks. The only destination on this list that isn’t a national park is Maui, Hawaii.
1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
3. Yosemite National Park, California
4. Maui, Hawaii
5. Glacier National Park, Montana
Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
America’s small towns have a lot to offer: from interesting histories to gorgeous natural beauty, charming architecture and more! U.S. News & World Report found these as their top five you have to see:
1. Bar Harbor, Maine
2. Telluride, Colorado
3. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
4. Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
5. Sedona, Arizona
Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
Heading south, the Caribbean’s top destinations offer lush, scenic beauty, turquoise waters vibrant with hundreds of species of marine life and a variety of luxury and more affordable accommodations and experiences.
1. Turks and Caicos
2. St. Lucia
3. British Virgin Islands
4. U.S. Virgin Islands
5. St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Best Places to Visit in Mexico
From the food to the music, history and more, Mexico’s warmth and beautiful natural surroundings, whether seaside or within a lush jungle or dry desert, have enchanted Americans for decades. The best places to visit in Mexico are beloved for their culinary traditions, their local culture and history as well as their close proximity to attractions such as Mayan ruins or the Caribbean coast.
1. Tulum
2. Playa del Carmen
3. Zihuatanejo
4. Cozumel
5. Ixtapa
Best Places to Visit in Europe
Ancient cities, gorgeous architecture, lovely food…Europe calls millions to her cities each year, and that hasn’t changed even through the pandemic. As countries loosen their entry requirements, Europe is expecting a summer tourist boom – perhaps these next five cities will find themselves enjoying it, too?
1. Paris, France
2. London, England
3. Rome, Italy
4. Florence, Italy
5. Barcelona, Spain
Best Places to Visit in Asia
While Asia has been recovering from the pandemic much slower than many other regions of the world, the desire to travel there has skyrocketed. From Japan and Thailand’s gorgeous natural island wonders to the hard-won glories of the Himalayas, these top five destinations have rightfully earned their places on this list.
1. Tokyo, Japan
2. Maldives
3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
5. Hong Kong
Best Places to Visit in Africa
Let’s face it: everyone wants to visit Africa. From exploring historic roots to viewing some of the world’s most incredible animals species in their natural habitats, the continent of Africa offers dramatic and emotional experiences that forever change those who visit. These top five do the same, with destinations in Tanzania taking three of the top five spots!
1. Victoria Falls, Zambia
2. Tanzania
3. Zanzibar, Tanzania
4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
5. Mauritius
Best Places to Visit in Australia & the South Pacific
Like so many regions in the world, the top five destinations to visit in Australia and the South Pacific are known for stunning natural beauty.
1. South Island, New Zealand
2. Tasmania
3. Tahiti
4. Sydney, Australia
5. Great Barrier Reef
Best Places to Visit in Central & South America
The best places to visit in Central and South America are known for having stunning natural geographies, such as Patagonia and the Galapagos Islands. Some, like Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru, offer incredible cultural and historical excursions.
1. Argentine Patagonia
2. Machu Picchu, Peru
3. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
4. Chilean Patagonia
5. Cusco, Peru
Best Cheap Vacations in the US
2022 and 2023’s most cost-effective vacations in the U.S. are unsurprisingly mostly national parks. That’s because they’re relatively inexpensive, as is camping for adept campers. But park passes and other cost-saving methods can help travelers save a few bucks on their trip.
1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
2. Glacier National Park, Montana
3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
4. Moab, Utah
5. Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Cheap Vacations in Europe
European travel is considered generally pricey, but that’s mostly because of the cost to fly there. Once there, travelers can enjoy any number of these awesome destinations on a budget, with ample accommodation options ranging from locally-owned inns to hostels and more.
1. Porto, Portugal
2. Prague, Czech Republic
3. Valencia, Spain
4. Tallinn, Estonia
5. Zagreb, Croatia