Top 4 Most Surprising U.S. Destinations Breaking All-Time Tourism Records

Are Vegas, LA, and Miami old news?

Maybe the first two. We all know Florida is a perpetual hotspot no matter the season.

While The Strip and Hollywood have lost some luster, at least from recent tourism statistics, there’s something to be said about the smorgasbord of record-breaking destinations with little to no acclaim lately.

I mean, Norfolk, Virginia — really?

We at Travel Off Path are ready to reveal even more surprises — 4 of them to be exact.

The following 4 U.S. destinations had our whole team gobsmacked that they’re breaking all-time visitor records, but there’s certainly a unique appeal to each of them, ranging from California wine country to Southern charming towns.

4) Temecula: SoCal’s Less-Crowded “Napa”

Wanna know where San Diegans like me escape the touristy crowds come summertime?

Temecula.

Located in the foothills of the Temescal Mountains, providing a natural curtain backdrop to numerous luxe wineries, Temecula has become a hotbed for Californians seeking serenity and, well, a buzz, from no shortage of vineyards and a row of rustic bars lining picturesque Old Town.

Temecula welcomed nearly 3.5 million visitors in 2024, a new record. With all the Arizona and Nevada license plates I’ve seen invading my home town, count me in too — soon, very soon.

Though, I gotta say, the neighboring town of Murrieta blew my mind last winter as a charming alternative to Temecula, home to one of my favorite resorts in recent memory Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, largely due to having access to pools 24/7 and one of the most memorable meals of my life at Talia Kitchen.

3) Move Over, Philly! Delaware’s Largest City Is In Your Shadow

Did you know Delaware didn’t have a public airport until February 2023 when one of America’s newest airlines, Avelo, decided to give “The First State” a shot?

During this short period, Delaware’s largest city, Wilmington, home to former U.S. President Joe Biden, has been on a record-breaking tear, beating itself year in and year out, offering an alternative to nearby Philadelphia without having to cross state lines.

Avelo operates 15 routes out of Wilmington, even offering a direct flight to Wilmington, North Carolina, for quite possibly the most confusing flight of all time.

But, is Delaware really a vacation destination? You’d be surprised!

This historic state is primarily known as having no sales tax, especially as Wilmington was put into the same category as Baltimore, St. Louis, and Memphis as one of America’s most crime-ridden cities.

Wilmington has since undergone a glow-up, especially its vibrant Riverfront district and even if it’s not your vibe with cultural neighborhoods like Little Italy and a quaint bar-hop circuit in Trolley Square, you’re still in close reach to underrated beach towns, such as Rehoboth Beach and Lewes.

Plus, Delaware makes better cheesesteaks. Yeah, I said it!

2) Great Falls: Montana’s New Hotspot

It turns out Yellowstone may be a real phenomenon. Well, with a lot less blood splatter…

Great Falls is seeking to be Montana’s new hotspot — a state that seems perfectly content keeping the status quo for eternity with the exception of Californians invading Bozeman (sorry ’bout that).

Over the past year, nearly 400,000 air travelers have flown to Great Falls, one of Montana’s least recognizable names overshadowed by Big Sky, Billings, and aforementioned Bozeman.

Though, according to a report from local experts at Montana Right Now, Great Falls is looking to grow even more with plans to more flights and bigger planes.

But, what’s there to do in Great Falls?

Explore nature! Shocking, I know…

For sample size, River’s Edge Trail is a network of trails extending over 60 miles, inviting exploration amongst astounding scenery.

Discovered by Lewis and Clarke, Giant Springs State Park is one of the largest freshwater springs in the country and is great to visit year-round.

1) Natchez: Even Mississippi’s River Towns Are Surging!

Every time I promise myself to stop writing Mississippi articles, another destination pops up too irresistible not to mention.

As Florida loses vacationers to Mississippi’s white-sand shores, it turns out it’s not only Gulfport and Biloxi seeing a spike in tourism — it’s the riverside towns too.

Natchez hugs the serpentine waterfront with vintage aesthetics quintessential for a small Mississippi getaway.

Boasting epic sunsets, captivating plantation tours, and soulful Southern cookin’, people from all over the nation have been flocking here for an idyllic vacation and a deep dive in history.

Natchez may not be a household name, but it’s just big enough to have a Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus (temporarily suspended) to see all the sites, such as Saint Mary Basilica and the Melrose Estate.