Best Summer Travel Destinations: VA Region Among Top 10 Nationally

VIRGINIA — A Virginia region is ideal for summer travel this year, according to WalletHub’s latest ranking released Tuesday.

The DC/Northern Virginia region secured the No. 2 spot for Best Summer Travel Destinations 2024, topping tourist faves such as Chicago, Illinois and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Personal-finance website WalletHub released a list of 100 U.S. destinations likely for summer travel based on travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, activities and safety.

“When picking a summer travel destination, it’s easy to focus just on the types of activities you want to do or certain cities you’ve always wanted to see,” WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe, said in the report.

“However, choosing a destination that’s not only entertaining but also affordable is important when travel, dining and activity costs have surged so much in recent years. It can also allow you to have a longer, more relaxing trip.”

In the end, the experts chose the Washington/Arlington/Alexandria metro area for the top 10.

WalletHub did not dive in-depth on why this community was chosen.

Here’s how the DC/Northern Virginia region ranked:

• Total Score: 66.32
• Travel costs and hassles: 15
• Local costs: 78
• Attractions: 15
• Weather: 19
• Activities: 14
• Safety: 1

Other Virginia areas that made the list are:

Richmond (No. 13)

• Total Score: 60.06
• Travel costs and hassles: 20
• Local costs: 61
• Attractions: 46
• Weather: 32
• Activities: 23
• Safety: 27

Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Newport News (No. 39)

• Total Score: 55.48
• Travel costs and hassles: 59
• Local costs: 49
• Attractions: 57
• Weather: 26
• Activities: 35
• Safety: 52

See the full methodology used in the scorings here.