Racecar, radar, tacocat, and kayak all have one thing in common: they’re palindromes, meaning they’re spelled the same forward and backward.
You might think “tacocat” is the most fun of the bunch, but for us travel nerds, it’s kayak — or rather, KAYAK, the travel search engine known for digging up insightful nuggets on the latest travel trends.
For the upcoming summer season, there were some real doozies in the latest report that lifted the veil on 4 surprising cities surging in popularity for one reason or another.
Some are going Midwest, some are heading to the mountains, and some are heading to the coast — both east and west.
Without further ado, these 4 beautiful American cities are on the rise with summer just around the corner.
Valparaiso, Florida (Destin)
Nope — it’s not Miami or Orlando seeing the biggest surge, nor is it the cluster of Southwest Florida towns constantly battling for the title of “America’s Best Beach”.
It’s little-known Valparaiso.
But let’s be honest, travelers are really going to Destin as Valparaiso is the base for a small airport when travelers want to zoom through the skies instead of an all-American road trip.
Destin has long been one of Florida’s most renowned getaways.
I’ve been, and it does stand out as one of my favorite vacations from my childhood and has only grown more popular as I now have white hair in my beard.
My, how time flies, but Destin hasn’t changed a bit except to become more of a household name — it’s gleaming with white sand and has some of Florida’s best vacation rentals for oceanfront stays.
KAYAK is reporting a 27% increase in travel searches and just $357 for average airfare to this pristine Panhandle beach haven with some of the clearest, swimmable waters I’ve seen in all my travels.
Kansas City, Missouri
Leave the magicians to Vegas, but Kansas City has become a trickster in its own right.
One of few major cities splitting 2 states, KAYAK reports a 25% search increase compared to 2025, but we have some inside intel that makes KC even more intriguing.
While anyone who’s craving the city’s famous barbecue, perusing a captivating museum, or even wants to partake in a sporting event will all go to the Missouri side.
But the Kansas side is about to pop off, and it all starts with the newly opened Margaritaville hotel making way for waves and frozen concoctions for an unsuspecting slice of paradise in the Midwest.
We don’t have a crystal ball, and we lost Miss Cleo’s number, but we’re here to tell you this is just the beginning for Kansas City, Kansas’s path to stardom, especially as their beloved Chiefs are changing addresses from MO to KS in the coming years.
As for this summer, though, keep an eye out for the World Cup frenzy across state lines in Missouri, all while you’re sipping salty margs on the Kansas side.
Travelers are currently giving Kansas City a 70/100 safety score on our Safety Index:
Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina hasn’t had much buzz since Petey Pablo ripped his shirt off and waved it around like a helicopter.
But if there’s one city that’s stepped out from Charlotte’s shadow as a full-fledged vacation destination, it’s Asheville — a beloved mountain escape that’s been put through the wringer in recent years by unexpected natural disasters.
Equal parts beer town, Blue Ridge beauty, and artsy outpost, Asheville has worn many titles over the years — but one you can’t take away is “comeback kid.”
KAYAK is reporting a 24% spike in trip planning and just $338 for average airfare to make a visit even more enticing.
There’s numerous festivals on the docket for summer, but the Travel Off Path loves Shindig on the Green, free Appalachian music-and-dance event held on select Saturdays in July and August.
Travelers are currently giving Asheville an 80/100 safety score on our Safety Index:
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is yet another comeback story worth mentioning. There was a time in recent years where San Fran was making headlines more for car break-ins and zombie film-set streetscapes than its iconic landmarks, vibrant culture, and unmatched scenery.
But the page has turned where travelers are now feeling safer exploring one of America’s most renowned cities, whether it be wandering the maze of Chinatown, posing in front of the Full House house, indulging in a clam chowder bread bowl at Fisherman’s Wharf, or hopping aboard one of many boat tours.
KAYAK is reporting a 23% uptick in searches, making San Francisco the trendiest West Coast escape this summer — and with good reason.
It’s a remarkable city as long as you pack your best walking shoes and budget accordingly with so many luxe hotels to choose from, including one of my favorites, Taj Campton Place.
Travelers are currently giving San Francisco a 78/100 safety score on our Safety Index:
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