Economic Update | May 27, 2026
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Summer travel in 2026 is being shaped by a powerful combination of practicality, comfort, and experience-driven planning — and no group is embracing this moment more fully than retired and semi-retired Americans.
According to AARP's 2026 Travel Trends report, Americans aged 50 and older are planning nearly 4 trips this year on average, a clear signal that enthusiasm for domestic travel remains strong even as broader economic uncertainty prompts younger consumers to pull back.
As part of our mission, we encourage you to focus more on your life, and a big component of that for several of you is the ability to travel to new destinations or revisit places you enjoyed in the past. Now that summer is upon us, this is a great opportunity to broach the topic of travel.
One of the defining travel themes this summer is the resurgence of the classic American road trip. Domestic leisure travel is surging, with analysts from Hilton, Deloitte, and the U.S. Travel Association all pointing to strong demand for drivable, regionally accessible destinations that blend natural beauty with affordability.
This trend fits retired travelers particularly well with the flexibility to travel midweek, linger longer, and sidestep the crowds that younger, schedule-constrained travelers often can't avoid.
Topping the list is Mackinac Island, Michigan, recently ranked the No. 1 summer travel destination in the U.S. by USA Today readers. With its ban on motor vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, historic Grand Hotel, and genuinely unhurried pace of life, Mackinac Island is practically designed for the mature traveler. Cooler summer temperatures and exceptional walkability only add to its appeal.
National Park regions are drawing considerable interest as well. Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains — recently identified by Airbnb as one of the summer's top trending destinations — continue to attract retirees with offerings like scenic drives, wildlife viewing, cabin rentals, and multigenerational family experiences. The emphasis is on leisurely exploration rather than rushed itineraries.
Coastal escapes remain perennial favorites. Hilton Head, South Carolina; coastal Maine; and San Diego, California are seeing renewed domestic demand, particularly among travelers seeking quieter beach towns centered on relaxation, golf, fresh seafood, and wellness rather than nightlife.
Meanwhile, cruise travel is booming again in 2026, where older travelers especially value the simplicity of unpacking once while visiting multiple destinations — a format that's inherently stress-free and budget-predictable.
For those prioritizing affordability alongside experience, destinations like Asheville, North Carolina, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Branson, Missouri are drawing attention for their walkable downtowns, cultural richness, moderate climates, and manageable travel distances.
Perhaps the most meaningful shift this summer is what travel researchers call "intentional travel" — fewer trips, but more purposeful ones.
Culinary tours, scenic rail journeys, wellness retreats, and historic Americana-themed vacations tied to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary are all resonating strongly with semi-retired travelers who value depth of experience over the pace of traditional sightseeing.
This philosophy mirrors something we believe deeply at our firm: that the best decisions, whether financial or personal, are made deliberately, with clarity about what matters most.
Our goal is to handle the complexity of managing your wealth so that when the opportunity to explore Mackinac Island or ride the rails through the Rockies arises, the only question you're asking is when do we leave?
As always, our focus is on helping you achieve Financial Peace of Mind, and providing you with a pathway to enjoy new travel experiences is a large component of our overall objective. We hope that you are enjoying the start of summer, and look forward to hearing about your recent or upcoming travel plans.
