Vacations Are Changing In 2026

Traveling as a family can be a great way to bond and experience the world together, but it can also be frustrating and stressful, mostly for mom and dad. Before you start planning your family vacations for this year, new research is here to help make it easier by highlighting the top trends for getaways with the kiddos.

• Kids will take on more of the vacation planning - Priceline’s 2026 Travel Trends Report finds that 87% of parents plan to involve their kids in choosing and planning family trips this year. Hilton’s 2026 trends report backs that up, revealing that kids will be taking on more of the vacation planning, which helps them feel more engaged and enthusiastic, and that makes the experience better for everyone. But parents, you’re still gonna have to pay!
• Trips inspired by movies, TV shows and books - The “set-jetting” trend continues, with Priceline reporting that 60% of parents say their kids suggest travel destinations based on pop culture interests. Contiki, a travel company specializing in tours for ages 18 to 35, reports that 66% of young adult travelers have booked a trip inspired by a book, movie or show, including “The White Lotus,” “Mama Mia!” and “Harry Potter.”
• Nostalgia will be a major travel mood - Life is complicated right now, so is it surprising that people are booking vacations that remind them of simpler times? Priceline’s research shows that 73% of travelers are drawn to experiences that help them reconnect with their past, as people find revising favorites comforting. Showing your kids where you went as a kid can help strengthen bonds, too.
• Short trips are popular for busy families - There’s not always time in the schedule for a long vacation, but short ones can be just as mood-boosting. Even a weekend getaway can be a memorable mini-vacay for families and give you something to look forward to. Backroads offers a range of Active Weekend Getaways around the U.S. in places like Death Valley, Sedona, and Santa Fe.
• Vacations featuring plenty of time for relaxing, recharging and reconnecting - Travelers want to slow down and disconnect, so much so there’s even a trendy term for it - “hushpitality.” According to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, 58% of parents plan to enforce “no screen-time moments” when traveling this year and 84% are looking for opportunities for the entire family to play together.

Source: USA Today