I like to check in on WalletHub from time to time, where I can count on surprising travel facts that interest my readers and me. Here’s one: WalletHub reports that nearly 72 percent of Americans are expected to travel this summer despite significant inflation driving up travel costs, and other bits of helpful travel information, both near and far. It also identifies cities that have “staying” power, meaning cities where meeting attendees might want to tack on a few vacation days while they are there alone or with family. That said, check out WalletHub’s newly released report on “2026’s Best & Worst Cities for Staycations,” along with expert insights and commentary.
For instance, to determine the top dual destinations for meetings/staycations, WH’s study evaluated more than 180 cities using 41 key factors that measured both affordability and entertainment value. The study considered metrics ranging from the number of parks per capita to the average cost of restaurant meals, among others. For instance:
Best Cities for Staycations
- Orlando, FL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Las Vegas, NV
- St. Louis, MO
- Honolulu, HI
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Atlanta, GA
- Tampa, FL
- Chicago, IL
- Portland, ME
But there’s more. Readers, you’ll find other interesting information on cities near and far – for example, Boston has the greatest number of parks (per square root of population), which is 14.1 times that of Hialeah, Florida, the city with the fewest.
Also, Honolulu has the greatest number of tennis courts (per square root of population), at 18.4 times that of Mesa, Arizona, the city with the fewest.
Let’s not forget Orlando, which has the most ice cream & frozen yogurt shops (per square root of population), which is 61.1 times more than in South Burlington, Vermont, the city with the fewest.
Of course, you might not have any interest in such entertaining facts, but it helps shape a destination’s appeal for your meeting attendees who might want to linger a few days more post-meeting – or not. And so, be sure to check out the full report on cities you may be eyeing for an upcoming meeting/staycation at www.wallethub.com.
