What a year it has been. With the pandemic ruining most 2020 plans, recent news of vaccination rollouts are giving many people hope of travel in the near future. While these plans may look different from what most of us in the travel industry have seen in the past, what hasn’t changed is the eagerness of travelers to get back out into the world to make new memories through experiences.
In 2021, we know that travel behavior and traveler preferences are changing to reflect the “new travel normal” and the Viator team wants to help our partners maximize potential new bookings by outlining which markets around the world are seeing the fastest re-opening.
Our data analytics team has identified destinations where we expect higher traveler demand in the next few months. Below, you’ll find a list of 10 destinations where we have seen increased demand for U.S. domestic travelers, along with 3 of the top booked experiences for each location.
We know that travelers are searching for “things to do” when they travel, so stay on top of the trends with these destinations!
1. New Orleans, LA
Top booked experiences
Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option
Stroll the deck, cozy up with family and friends, and delight in the sparkle of the urban shoreline at dusk.
New Orleans Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Walking Tour
Stop by top attractions such as the LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, all while listening to your guide’s detailed stories of the paranormal and beyond.
New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter
Stop by some the French Quarter’s most famous restaurants for some of the area’s most delicious food.
Top booked experiences
Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour
See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston.
Downtown Charleston Culinary Walking Food Tour
Explore Charleston’s Old and Historic District, discovering the local landmarks and cuisine of locally owned and operated restaurants.
Charleston's Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour
Charleston native Mike Brown has been giving ghost tours in the city for over 20 years. His tour is consistently ranked among the best ghost tours in Charleston on Tripadvisor.
2. Charleston, SC
3. Savannah, GA
Top booked experiences
Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
With this ticket, you can see over 100 points of interest plus enjoy stops at City Market and River Street with time to explore.
Savannah Land & Sea Combo: City Sightseeing Trolley Tour with Riverboat Cruise
The 90 minute adventure starts from your Historic District hotel or the city’s visitors center and tells the colorful uninterrupted story of the city’s past.
Savannah Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour
Learn about the city’s fascinating history, elegant architecture, and unique culture with food tastings at several specialty food stores and restaurants in the area.
Top booked experiences
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including the Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building.
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission (Hancock Center)
Ascend 94 stories to the observation deck of one of the tallest buildings in North America aboard its lightning-fast elevator.
Underground Donut Tour: Chicago's First Donut Tour
Donut-lovers are sure to enjoy this visit to some of Chicago’s tastiest donut purveyors, offering a chance to savor all of your favorite varieties, on the city’s only donut-themed excursion.
4. Chicago, IL
5. Los Angeles, CA
Top booked experiences
Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open-Top Bus
See the sights of Hollywood on this tour by open-top Mercedes minibus, which allows you to enjoy unobstructed views as you go.
DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour
Listen to your guide’s commentary to learn about the city’s dark past while visiting stops such as the Biltmore Hotel, Clifton’s, the Alexandria Hotel, the Halls of Justice, and the Los Angeles Pueblo, among others.
30-Minute Ferrari California Driving Tour To Hollywood Sign
Get the unforgettable and unique experience to test drive a Ferrari California on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, along the streets of the City, on a sightseeing tour up to the Hollywood sign viewpoint.
Top booked experiences
San Diego Zoo Ticket
Meet some of the world’s most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California’s top family-friendly attractions.
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
Throughout your cruise, your expert guide shares informative commentary about gray whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, along with details about the US Navy sites you pass as you head out on the Pacific Ocean.
San Diego Harbor Cruise
Sit back and relax as you take in a fully-narrated tour, offering top-notch sight lines of the San Diego skyline, a cruise under Coronado Bridge, a look at the bustling US Naval fleet and a chance to spot some of the harbor’s resident sea lions.
6. San Diego, CA
7. Washington, D.C.
Top booked experiences
Capitol Hill and DC Monuments Tour by Electric Cart
Get a glimpse of the White House and travel around and through Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian museum complex, plus a plethora of famous memorials and monuments.
Washington DC National Mall Night Tour - Stops at 10 Iconic Attractions!
Washington DC’s monuments and landmarks light up after dark, perfect for dramatic views and memorable photos of the capital city.
Half Day DC Cherry Blossom Tour
Experience springtime in Washington DC on a 4-hour tour of the city’s key landmarks and blooming cherry trees.
Top booked experiences
BEYOND Light Show & Meditation
Immerse yourself in a world of illumination during a 1-hour light show in Denver.
Discover Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver or Boulder
Climb from the streets of the “Mile High City” to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of Colorado’s mountains.
Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure
Whiz through the fresh alpine air and admire the scenic landscape below on a series of cables totaling more than 6,000 feet (1,828 m) in length.
8. Denver, CO
9. Seattle, WA
Top booked experiences
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours
See where chef’s shop and locals hang out. Enjoy diverse tastings at nearly a dozen different stops — places like Beecher’s ‘World’s Best’ Mac and Cheese, Local Color coffee shop, Britt’s Pickles, Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt and more.
Mt. Rainier Day Trip from Seattle
Enjoy a scenic, narrated journey past lakes, waterfalls and historic towns to Mt Rainier, the highest mountain in the state of Washington.
Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery Tour
Visit an independent, family-run winery as well as the beloved, world-class Chateau Ste. Michelle, one of Washington’s oldest and most acclaimed wineries.
Top booked experiences
45-minute Helicopter Flight Over the Grand Canyon from Tusayan, Arizona
Through the ECO-Star helicopter’s panoramic windows, see the world’s largest ponderosa pines in Kaibab National Forest and the mighty Colorado River.
Grand Canyon South Rim Jeep Tour with Transport from Tusayan
Choose one of nine different times throughout the day, then enjoy the Grand Canyon’s brilliant colors, cliffs, and rock formations while learning about the history and geology of the area from the expert tour guide.
Grand Canyon Signature Hummer Tour with Optional Sunset Views
Ride in a windowless, open-air Hummer and listen to commentary from your guide as you visit some of the canyon’s best lookout points, where you can hop out, take photos, and explore.
10. Grand Canyon National Park
