by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 6:15 PM ET, Mon June 22, 2026
Every year brings new predictions about which travel trend will be the biggest. And this year, at least according to some analysts, the answer seems to be nostalgia travel.
Research commissioned by Visit Anaheim and conducted by Talker Research found that half of Americans believe 2026 will be a “year of nostalgia.”
The survey, which involved 2,000 Americans, revealed that 48% see 2026 as a year focused on this particular travel development. The sentiment was especially prevalent among younger travelers. In particular, 61% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials said they believe this year will be focused on nostalgia.
The same survey found that nostalgia will impact travel destination selections for 53% or respondents and nearly as many, 50%, say it will even play a role in their activity choices while traveling.
With nostalgia top of mind for so many Americans this year, BetMGM Arcade has just released a ranking of the cities across the United States that are best positioned to deliver an ample dose of the ‘good old days’ for millennial travelers.
New York City tops the ranking, thanks to what the analysis says is its plethora of nostalgia-evoking venues. That includes comic book stores, record stores, and roller skating rinks, according to the analysis.
Those of a certain age will also remember that New York was the backdrop for a slew of iconic movies and television shows from decades past including Friends, Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, Home Alone 2 and Ghostbusters, says the analysis.
The ranking was developed by cross-referencing the 20 most popular cities in the U.S. (based on YouGov’s The Most Popular Cities data), with measurable variables associated with 1980s and 1990s nostalgia including physical venues, music events, and demographics.
With regard to physical venues, researchers were specifically looking for 13 types of venues "that are
associated with ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia, like arcades, comic book
stores, vintage shops, and DVD stores." As for music events, this measurement is based on the number of ‘80s and ‘90s-themed ticketed music events
each city hosts per month. To gauge this, researchers used TicketMaster to identify the average
number of such events planned over a future three-month period.
Based on these and other factors, U.S. cities were given an overall 'nostalgia' score. And the good news is, if you can’t make it New York City for a nostalgia trip, not to
worry. The ranking also identifies numerous other locations across the
United States that it says serve up plenty of yesteryear moments, as
well. Here's a closer look.
Dallas, Texas skyline. (Photo Credit: Oleksandr Dibrova/Adobe)
Where to go for nostalgia travel
1.New York City – Score: 148
2.Dallas, Texas – Score: 129
3.Houston, Texas – Score: 112
4.Las Vegas, Nevada – Score: 98
5.Phoenix, Arizona – Score: 98
6.Atlanta, Georgia – Score: 82
7.Boston, Massachusetts – Score: 81
8.San Diego, California – Score: 80
9.Tampa, Florida – Score: 80
10.Austin, Texas – Score: 80
11.San Antonio, Texas – Score: 75
12.Seattle, Washington – Score: 71
13.Denver, Colorado – Score: 69
14.Miami, Florida – Score: 66
15.San Francisco, California – Score: 59
16.Charlotte, North Carolina – Score: 57
17.Nashville, Tennessee – Score: 52
18.New Orleans, Louisiana – Score: 42
19.Colorado Springs, Colorado – Score: 37
20.Memphis, Tennessee – Score: 35
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