Travelers are flocking to the East Coast’s historic cities for the July 4th weekend as the US celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Washington, DC, stands out among the rest, with demand more than double last year’s level, according to data from the hotel-booking firm Trivago.
The data is based on searches conducted on Trivago by US users between April 1 and June 25, for travel between July 2 and July 6.
Trivago also found that demand for Boston and Philadelphia was up 82% and 53%, respectively, while New York stayed relatively flat.
Trivago also said it saw an uptick in interest in traveling to smaller towns founded in the Revolutionary era.
“This is consistent with a broader trend we see around milestone events,” Trivago’s Naomi Mnyamana said.
Its March survey of 3,500 Americans found 38% planned to chase a once-in-a-lifetime experience in 2026.
“When a moment feels collective and unrepeatable, many travelers are willing to prioritize being there over finding the best deal,” Mnyamana added.
She advised travelers to book early and budget accordingly.
For a hotel room over July 4, prices can vary considerably.
Trivago’s data found the typical nightly rate for a double room in Boston fell 5% year-over-year, to around $280. And while demand for DC is up 120%, the average nightly rate is up 57%, to $382.
On the other hand, the cost of accommodation in Philadelphia has risen 69% to an average of about $330 a night. That may also reflect the fact that a World Cup round-of-16 game between France and Paraguay is being played in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday.
With more people flocking to the country’s historic cities, coastal resort towns appear less popular.
For example, Trivago saw demand to travel to Florida’s Panama City Beach over the July 4 weekend fell 22%, while Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is down 15%.
Domestic trips, which make up about three-quarters of summer travel, are growing more popular this year, with demand up 12% for the whole season, according to Trivago. However, international travel is growing even faster, with demand at 21%.
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