Hottest Memorial Day Destinations in the US

Memorial Day travel is poised to bounce back in a big way in 2021, with AAA forecasting more than 37 million Americans to venture 50 miles or more from home from May 27-31. The figure marks a dramatic 60 percent increase from last year's COVID-19 pandemic-plagued holiday and is welcome news for the travel and tourism sector. As for where travelers will be heading to kick off summer, here are some of the hottest places across the country.

The Music City will be turned up this Memorial Day. Buzzing Broadway and Nashville's other unique neighborhoods boast plenty to see and do as well as some of the best nightlife and live music in the country. The Cumberland River also allows for exciting kayak adventures, scenic picnics and much more. Nashville is the fifth-most popular American city for Memorial Day travel this year based on the number of TripTik road trip searches.

Many Americans will be road-tripping to Myrtle Beach this Memorial Day weekend. The South Carolina resort city is the third-hottest U.S. destination based on TripTik road trip searches this year. The family-friendly holiday destination offers lots to do, including dozens of miles of gorgeous beaches, a plethora of stellar golf courses, amusement parks and thrill rides and other classic summer attractions like the bustling boardwalk and promenade.

The Big Easy certainly knows how to put on a party and is currently in a Modified Phase Three of its reopening plan, meaning Memorial Day revelers will have options with bars, restaurants and live music all permitted to reopen and return. Museums, shops, breweries and bus and carriage tours are also back open heading into the holiday.

Las Vegas is looking much closer to normal now compared to last year with casinos filling up and the city's famous entertainment coming back. Awesome weather, an array of restaurants from celebrity chefs, plenty of affordable accommodation options and relatively cheap flights from most parts of the country will only further entice holiday travelers. Earlier this month, AAA reported that Sin City is the number one domestic destination for Memorial Day 2021 based on TripTik road trip searches.

The nation's capital lifted additional restrictions on May 21 and will even allow bars and nightclubs to operate at 50 percent capacity ahead of a full reopening on June 11. That's good news for Memorial Day visitors to Washington, D.C., who can also visit the Smithsonian Institute's fascinating museums and the recently reopened National Zoo and even pay their respects across the Potomac River at Arlington National Cemetery.

Florida's appeal certainly doesn't wane after spring break. Perennial favorites like Miami, Orlando and Tampa are sure to draw big crowds this summer, with travelers of all types flocking to experience the Sunshine State's beautiful beaches and renowned theme parks. Orlando is the leading Memorial Day destination this year, based on AAA Travel bookings. Underrated Naples will be another hotspot, with the Gulf Coast city seeing the fifth-fastest-growing demand for Vrbo vacation homes during Memorial Day weekend 2021.

Hawaii was closed to out-of-state travelers for Memorial Day last year but has been welcoming visitors from the mainland for months now after rolling out its Safe Travels pre-travel testing program that allows travelers to test out of mandatory 10-day quarantine. Heading into the unofficial start of summer, the state is experiencing increased travel demand, with hotel occupancy climbing significantly in recent months, reaching 43 percent in March 2021, up from approximately 31 percent in February and 23 percent in January, according to data from STR. Honolulu is the third-most in-demand Memorial Day destination this year based on AAA Travel Bookings.

National parks continue to be a popular choice for many Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as travelers seek out destinations closer to home that also provide opportunities for socially distant activities and time spent outdoors. Specifically, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks stand out this year as each is among the five fastest-growing destinations in terms of demand for Vrbo vacation homes during Memorial Day weekend.

One of the top adventure destinations in the country will be a popular pick this Memorial Day. Utah boasts some of the most exciting national parks in America, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Zion National Parks. The latter is even located less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas. In addition to hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and off-roading, visitors to Utah can look forward to iconic sites like Temple Square in Salt Lake City and charming small towns like Springdale.