Spring is on for travel, as if you didn’t already know! Everyone’s raring to go. According to Tripadvisor, 64 percent of Americans they surveyed plan to take at least one trip this season. And of those, 50 percent of them reported that they were most excited about the experiences they were planning—hotels are great and meals can be memorable, but it’s really the things you go and see that open your eyes and make you glad you made the trip. In case you’re wondering what kind of experiences are the most popular, it’s probably no surprise that the top three involve a tour of some kind or another—letting someone lead you around and explain what you’re seeing lets you relax into it. It’s nice to have an expert’s perspective.
The next three most popular experiences involve getting out onto the water—and the last four are an interesting collection of experiences. Tripadvisor gathered this list by calculating the most booked experiences through their platform, for travel between March 1 and May 31, limited to two per city. We’ll shut up and let you read further on your own!
Here are the most booked experiences in the U.S. this spring:
1. Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour – Las Vegas
We wouldn’t ordinarily associate Las Vegas with the Grand Canyon, but it’s a two-hour drive to the west rim. This full-day bus tour includes the Hoover Dam and driving past Joshua Tree. You can upgrade to a VIP tour that includes more time at the canyon and a lunch with a scenic view of the rim.
2. New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter – New Orleans
This city’s food scene has to be experienced to be believed, with gumbo, etouffée, beignets, brisket, and Bloody Marys….this guided walking tour brings you inside local kitchens as well as to the dining rooms for sampling.
3. New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour – New York City
There’s just so much to see; it’s nice to hand over the reins to someone else who has insider knowledge. Part of the tour is on the bus and part on the ferry (to see the Statue of Liberty!): you’ll see Rockefeller Center, South Street Seaport, the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, Lincoln Center and Central Park.
4. Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise – New Orleans
A popular city, New Orleans appears on the list again! This experience involves an evening on a paddle-wheel riverboat, avoiding busy streets to glide along listening to live jazz and enjoying a Creole-style dinner.
5. Key West Sunset Sail – Key West
Sunset on the water? Sounds pretty dreamy. You’ll relax on a 70-foot sailing catamaran while enjoying appetizers and a full range of adult beverages. Watch stars appear and then head back to shore.
6. Chicago Architecture River Cruise – Chicago
Chicago’s skyline is drool-worthy, and here you get an expert guide interpreting what you see as you cruise down the Chicago River. You can see all of the most important buildings in one tour, something that isn’t easy to do on foot. Drinks optional!
7. Maui Nui Luau – Maui
The Sheraton Maui Resort in Ka’anapali offers a traditional Polynesian luau with dance, interactive performance and Hawaiian cuisine, plus two hours of unlimited drinks (whoa), a welcome gift and a photo opp.
8. Whale Watching Cruise with Open Bar from Ka’anapali Beach – Maui
Billed as one of the world’s most active winter playgrounds for whales, Maui’s Ka’anapali Beach waters may be filled with humpback whales. On this tour with a naturalist guide, you’ll be on board a catamaran with unlimited drinks: hopefully, the bottomless cocktails don’t make those humpbacks do the humpty dance.
9. Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial – Honolulu
One of the more sobering experiences you can have on a vacation, visiting this tragic historic attack site is worthwhile and gives perspective to an otherwise carefree vacation. Entry includes boat tickets out to the USS Arizona’s sunken remains, a tour of the visitor’s center and the chance to explore exhibits.
10. Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour – Charleston
Say that ten times fast! Rest your feet and tour the city’s highlights over 30 blocks of the historic district, including Civil War-era sites.
Read Tripadvisor’s entire Spring Travel Index here.