These family travel trends will shape vacations in 2026

If you're dreaming of a family beach vacation, road trip or national park adventure in 2026, you’re right on trend. A growing sense of nostalgia and a desire to slow down will shape how families travel, along with trips inspired by favorite TV shows, books, and movies. And if a big getaway isn’t in the cards, you’re not alone. Shorter trips are set to play an ⁠outsized role in 2026 as well. 

No matter your travel style, here’s what to consider when planning your family vacations in 2026.

1. Kids will take on more of the vacation planning

According to Priceline’s 2026 Travel Trends Report, 87% of parent travelers actively involve their children in choosing and planning family vacations. “We know that kids are so much more informed than they’ve ever been, and so they do have more opinions than they may have had before,” says Christina Bennett, Priceline’s consumer travel trends expert. “And parents are really bringing that into the vacation planning.”

Almost 80% of parents say that their children inspire them to seek out new travel experiences on vacation, according to Hilton’s 2026 trends report. And getting kids involved in the planning can have benefits for everyone in the family.

“When children feel like co-creators of the ‍journey, their curiosity comes alive — and that sense of discovery is contagious,” says Jess Petitt, senior vice president for strategy, insights, and full-service brands at Hilton. “Children who help make travel decisions tend to be more engaged and enthusiastic, which naturally elevates the experience for everyone else.”

Want to get your kids more involved? Let them explore potential destinations with you, or ask them to suggest activities or must-have hotel features.

“The best way to involve kids is to make them feel like partners in the adventure, not just participants,” says Petitt. “Offering a few thoughtful choices gives kids ownership without overwhelming the planning process, and even something small, like letting them pick one family outing or deciding on room service or a buffet for breakfast, will make them feel like a valued part of the planning experience. Most importantly, travel can be stressful, and no one knows how to bring the fun better than the kids — let them ​be creative!”

2. Movies, TV shows, and books will keep inspiring trips

The “set-jetting” trend shows no signs of slowing down. Priceline reports that 60% of parents say their children suggest travel destinations based on pop culture interests, and 56% report that their kids have requested international trips inspired by a movie, show, game or celebrity. Contiki, which specializes in travel tours for ages 18 to 35, found that 66% of young adult travelers have booked a trip inspired by a book, movie or show, with "Mamma Mia!," "The White Lotus" and the "Harry Potter" series are among the inspirations.

Expedia projects set-jetting to become a potential $8 billion industry in the U.S. alone, and destinations are responding to the interest. The latest reboot of "Superman" was filmed in Cleveland, and the city put together an “ultimate Superman fan trip planner” to guide visitors to filming ​locations like the Public Square and The Arcade. Visit North Carolina offers an itinerary of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" filming sites.

Internationally, The White Lotus continues to draw fans to its hotel settings. Expedia found that the show drove a 300% surge in demand for San Domenico Palace in Sicily after season two premiered and a 65% spike in interest in The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand due to season three.

As a result of Ryan Reynolds’ "Welcome to Wrexham" Hulu/FX series, tourism revenue in Wrexham has jumped 20% year over year since the show premiered in 2022. In response, Visit Wales created a landing page on its website as a resource for travelers inspired by the show, as well as a page detailing the Wrexham-Hollywood connection.

Rabbie’s, which offers small group trips throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, has seen growing interest in its four-day tours and one-day ​tours themed around the popular book series and TV show "Outlander," especially with the eighth and final season of Outlander premiering on March 6, 2026. It’s also included additional stops at Harry Potter filming sites on its Magical Highlands tour and is seeing increasing popularity in Jane Austen’s England

3. Nostalgia will be a major travel mood

The world is complicated these days. So it’s not surprising that people are choosing vacations that remind them of simpler times. Contiki has found that 78% of Millennials and ⁠Gen Zers have already recreated or want to recreate a childhood trip, and Priceline reports that 73% of travelers are drawn to experiences that help them reconnect with their past.

“The world ‍can be so chaotic,” says Bennett. “And with so much going on, people are craving familiarity and emotional grounding. That’s the reason we go back and stream the same shows when we can’t sleep: There’s a real comfort in revisiting favorites.”

Look for destinations like the Poconos, Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and amusement parks around the country to be among some of the nostalgic favorites. The Midwest is also having a moment, according to Priceline's research. 

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"I have always been a fan of Midwest travel, and I'm really excited to see it get its proper due," says Bennett. "There are so many wonderful places to see, and you get a slightly more relaxed pace and an often slightly less-expensive experience than some coastal destinations and bigger cities."

Consider destinations like Grand Rapids, ‌Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio. "People are realizing it’s a huge country to explore and there are amazing places to go to," says Bennett. "And I think it's going ‍to be even more highlighted this year with the anniversary of Route 66, which goes through so many of these iconic Midwest destinations."

Road trips will be a popular way to travel for families looking for throwback vacations. “The United States’ 250th birthday will certainly inspire many families to explore historic landmarks, coastal routes, and national parks, and our research shows this milestone is landing at a time when the road trip is already resurging,” says Hilton’s Petitt. “Seventy-one percent of Americans plan to drive on their next vacation, a clear sign that more travelers are gravitating toward journeys that feel intentional and rooted in exploration.”

The flexibility of road trips is also appealing, especially for families. “Families are seeking spontaneity and connection, and the open road creates an environment where those things flourish,” says Petitt. “Road trips allow travelers to follow their curiosity – detouring for a ⁠quirky roadside attraction, stopping for a perfect picnic spot, or spending longer than planned at a place that surprises them.”

4. Short trips will help families ‌treat themselves to travel no matter their schedules

Longer vacations aren’t going anywhere. But with busy school, sports and work schedules, families sometimes don’t have a lot of time to play. Enter the short getaway, a trend already embraced by Gen Z travelers.

Priceline found that 76% of Gen Z travelers and 65% of all travelers have booked a short trip “purely as a mood-boosting treat.”

“Travel is known to give such an immediate mood lift,” says Bennett. “These bite-size trips naturally fit into more people’s schedules and give you something to look forward to.”

And even a weekend getaway can give families a memorable mini-vacation. “Even with limited time, people are eager to explore new destinations and immerse themselves in the local culture,” says Ali Killam, editorial content lead at Airbnb. “With a bit of thoughtful planning, even a short getaway can be rich in cultural discovery, proving that you don’t need a long trip to truly connect with a place.”

Tour companies are taking note of the trend. Backroads offers a collection of Active Weekend Getaways around the U.S. in spots like Death Valley, Sedona, and Santa Fe.

Intrepid Travel introduced its Short Breaks range of four- to six-day trips last fall. “We know how transformative travel can be, but the ⁠luxury of time is not something that everyone has,” said Erica Kritikides, general manager of experiences at Intrepid Travel, when the trips were introduced. “Intrepid Short Breaks aren’t just about taking time off—they’re about making the most of it, with meaningful experiences that allow travelers to see and do more in fewer days.”

5. Vacations will feature plenty of time for relaxing, recharging and reconnecting

The term “hushpitality” is trending for 2026, with travelers looking for ways to slow down and disconnect. According to Hilton’s global research, respondents’ number-one motivation to travel for leisure in 2026 is “to rest and recharge.” Vrbo ⁠found that 91% of travelers are seeking getaways focused on reading, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. And 89% of the 18- to 35-year-olds surveyed by Contiki for its annual Voice of a Generation report said they’d ditch their phones for a free trip.

And it’s not just busy adults who are interested in slowing down and taking a break from technology. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report found that 58% of parents plan to enforce “no screen-time moments” when traveling next year, and that 84% of travelers will seek out opportunities for the entire family to play together.

“Parents want to embark on vacations that help their families connect, have fun, and create meaningful memories together, all while providing a respite from their day jobs,” says Petitt. “Families are prioritizing quality time, moments of play, and even intentional breaks from screens, creating the opportunity to disconnect and be with family.”

Need some ideas? Try a trip to a state park, a glamping or camping adventure, a noctourism experience or a resort where you can get crafty. Choosing less-crowded destinations in the U.S. or abroad can also help you focus on spending quality time together as a family.

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