These 2 US Destinations Named Best In The World To Visit For 2026 By The BBC

Share The Article

Most “Best of the World” lists are predictable. They usually list the same over-touristed European capitals or unaffordable luxury islands.

But the BBC just dropped their forecast for 2026, and at Travel Off Path, we noticed something interesting: they picked two American destinations that couldn’t be more different from each other.

One is a gritty East Coast city about to throw the biggest party of the century. The other is a moody, rain-soaked coastline that is the total antithesis of a “beach vacation.”

Here is why these two US destinations are the two domestic trips that matter in 2026.

1. Philadelphia: The Center of the Universe (For One Year)

Look, Philly often gets a bad rap. It’s usually overshadowed by NYC’s glamour or D.C.’s politics. But we are calling it now: in 2026, Philadelphia will be the most important city in America.

The BBC highlighted it, and they are right. The city is hitting a “trifecta” of events that we simply haven’t seen before.

The “Semiquincentennial” (The Big 250) 2026 is America’s 250th birthday. As the place where it all started, Philly is ground zero. This isn’t just a parade; it’s a year-long takeover of the Old City.

• The Insider Take: Expect crowds. Massive ones. But if you want to feel that electric, once-in-a-lifetime energy, you have to be here.

The Sports Takeover If you follow sports, you know Philly fans are… intense. In 2026, that intensity goes global.

• World Cup & All-Star: The city is hosting FIFA World Cup matches and the MLB All-Star Game in the same summer. The atmosphere is going to be absolute chaos in the best way possible.

The Food Scene (It’s Not Just Cheesesteaks) At Travel Off Path, we’ve been tracking Philly’s food scene for years. Yes, get the cheesesteak, but the real story is the explosion of high-end dining and authentic street food that rivals anything in New York right now—at half the price.

2. The Oregon Coast: The “Anti-California”

If Philadelphia is about noise and energy, the Oregon Coast is about silence and raw nature.

The BBC picked this spot for one reason that we absolutely love: Public Access.

The “Forever Public” Rule In 1967, Oregon passed the “Beach Bill,” making all 363 miles of coastline public property.

• Why It Matters: Go to California or Florida, and you’ll hit private ropes and “Residents Only” signs. In Oregon, the beach belongs to you. You can walk from Washington to California without anyone telling you to leave.

Embrace The Mood Don’t come here expecting a tan. The Oregon Coast is famously moody, foggy, and dramatic. It’s about storm-watching from a cliff, hiking through old-growth forests that touch the sand, and spotting Grey Whales migrating just offshore.

The Insider Strategy: When To Go (And When To Skip)

Since we are looking out for you, we have to be real about the logistics. 2026 isn’t a normal year for either of these spots, and “timing is everything” has never been more true.

For Philadelphia: Dodge The “World Cup Tax” Let’s be honest: Hotel prices in Philly during the World Cup matches (June/July) are going to be astronomical. We’re talking $500+ for a Holiday Inn.

• The Move: Unless you are holding match tickets, aim for Late September. The 250th-anniversary exhibits will still be running, the humidity breaks, the autumn foliage in Independence Park is unbeatable, and hotel rates will drop back to reality. You get the history without the bankruptcy.

For Oregon: The “Secret Summer” Rookies book the Oregon Coast in June or July expecting Baywatch. What they get is “June Gloom”—thick, cold fog that doesn’t burn off until 2 PM.

• The Move: Book for September or early October. Locals call this the “Second Summer.” The fog vanishes, the wind dies down, and it’s often the warmest time of the year. Plus, the summer road-trip crowds have gone back to school, leaving those public beaches all to you.

The Bottom Line

2026 gives you a clear choice between two extremes.

Do you want to be in the center of the action in Philadelphia, surrounded by history, World Cup fever, and the energy of a city proving it’s world-class? Or do you want to disconnect completely on the wild, public shores of Oregon, where the only “crowds” are migrating whales?

The BBC thinks they are both world-class. We agree. Just make sure you book Philly early—and Oregon late.

Know Before You Go Before you lock in your 2026 plans, use the Travel Off Path 1 Minute Trip Check. It’s the fastest way to check safety ratings, entry rules, and travel advisories.

Know Before You Go Before you book, use the Travel Off Path 1 Minute Trip Check. It’s the fastest way to check safety ratings and entry rules (even for domestic travel, it pays to be prepared).