Gen Z’s ‘townsizing’ is drastically shaking up travel trends — these are the most popular ‘quaint’ US towns

As Americans statesman to embark connected their summer vacations, a caller recreation inclination has group seeking “quaint” destinations.

Priceline released its annual travel trends report for 2025 — and 1 trend, “townsizing,” is giving immoderate under-the-radar destinations nan limelight.  

“Americans are seeking simplicity and will recreation to find it,” nan property merchandise notes. People are opting “for quaint, comfy respites successful America’s mini towns.”

“The inclination toward mini towns offers different benefits for different generations,” it adds. 

“While boomers are astir apt to consciousness that mini towns are much relaxing, Gen Z is ‘townsizing’ arsenic a measurement to indulge successful nan charming, quaint moments depicted successful their most comforting movies.”

Gen Z is 89% much apt than mean travelers to activity out a vacation that offers a “Nancy Meyers lifestyle,” according to nan report.

Destinations specified arsenic Old Saybrook, Connecticut; North Wildwood, New Jersey; and Cape Cod successful Massachusetts are examples of quieter towns that encompass the coastal movie charm successful galore of Meyers’ movies.

The study adds that 67% of Gen Z are “more apt to spot a picnic arsenic an opportunity to unrecorded retired their small-town fantasies.”

“These types of trips are for group who want to sit back, relax and return their clip exploring nan section shops and restaurants of a quiet area – distant from nan hustle and bustle of a large city,” Adam Duckworth, president and laminitis of Travelmation, told Fox News Digital.

Indiana-based travel advisor astatine Travelmation, Amy Thomasson, told Fox News Digital she is seeing nan inclination spark adjacent her home.

“The New Baden/French Lick area is simply a cleanable illustration of townsizing,” said Thomasson.

“These travelers are little willing successful ticking disconnected nan boxes of what everyone says they should do connected picnic and alternatively turning to much experiential trips wherever they tin make memories successful a caller and breathtaking location,” she added. 

Thomasson says she’s noticed nan inclination go very celebrated pinch much clients seeking easy play getaways.

“They are looking for a spot they tin easy thrust to that has good hotel options and nosy things to do. They want to spell disconnected nan beaten way but not beryllium inconvenienced,” she said. 

Thomasson says nan inclination besides allows travelers to save money and debar nan hassles of flying — giving group a much relaxed gait for their vacation.