SEATTLE, March 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After a year in which vacations were few or far between, what better way to ease back into traveling than by choosing a town where you're sure to receive a warm welcome? As travelers begin to plan their spring and summer getaways, Expedia.com® is helping narrow down the possibilities by ranking the friendliest towns and cities for 2021.
Did a local provide an outstanding dinner recommendation? Were you greeted with smiles and hellos (or at least smiling eyes over a mask)? Was there just overall feel-good energy? These might be some of the random acts of friendliness that earned these towns the highest mentions of "friendly, friendliest, amiable," and other word associations and related linguistic connections based on Expedia.com traveler reviews from January 2019 to December 2020.
20 of the Top Friendliest Cities in the U.S. (plus, what to do) according to Expedia users include:
Whitefish, Montana A gateway to Glacier National Park, outdoor enthusiasts will love the outdoorsy delights this Montana town offers
Sister Bay, Wisconsin This charming small town is fit for boaters and fisherman alike
Manitou Springs, ColoradoArt lovers will enjoy the galleries, restaurants and boutiques in Manitou Springs, and can even spring for a hot air balloon ride
Bar Harbor, MaineAdventure in Acadia National Park
Grants Pass, Oregon Shop a local, vintage boutique or visit the wineries and vineyards in this Pacific Northwest town
Deadwood, South Dakota Calling all history buffs! Visit this town to for its scenic surroundings and discover why it's been named a National Historic Landmark
Hilo, HawaiiExplore the Big Island with sunsets and stargazing, cultural tours or helicopter rides
In addition to promising the friendliest experience, these outdoorsy, beachy and small-town destinations are right in line with Expedia's spring and summer 2021 travel trends as travelers look for socially distanced options and domestic beach escapes. For more on this trend which began during 2020, check out the Expedia 2021 Trends Report.
Check restrictions including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine requirements for both local and national destinations before you go.
Review safety measures on Expedia.com by using the "Enhanced Cleaning" filter to narrow search results including improved cleaning, contactless check-in, social distancing and more.
Choose flexibility by filtering for "free cancellation" or "reserve now, pay later" and making sure to select a refundable room type.
About Expedia.com
Expedia.com® is one of the world's largest full-service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps.
Traveler wellbeing is our priority. Expedia understands how the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect travelers everywhere, as well as the importance of abiding by government restrictions and practicing social distancing. Travelers can visit the Expedia COVID-19 travel resource page for information to make informed travel decisions.
*Friendliest Cities list based on cities and towns with the highest percentage of positive traveler reviews mentioning words like "friendly, friendliest, amiable" from January 2019 – December 2020.
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