Beach Bliss or Adventure Thrills? How Americans Choose to Unwind

by | Mar 6, 2025

Sunglasses perched in sand on a beach

Photo credit: Ethan Robertson via Unspalsh

Vacation preferences among Americans reveal intriguing insights into how different demographics choose to unwind. A recent survey conducted by CivicScience, highlights the diverse vacation choices of Americans, shedding light on how factors like income, age, gender, and living area influence these decisions.

Relaxing by a beach makes for the top vacation choice, with 26% of respondents favoring this option. Exploring a new place followed closely, capturing the interest of 22% of respondents. At the other end of the spectrum, a cruise was the least popular choice, attracting only 8% of respondents. This data suggests a strong preference for relaxation and exploration over structured travel experiences like cruises.

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Income levels unsurprisingly play a significant role in vacation preferences. Higher-income individuals earning $150,000 or more showed a marked preference for beach relaxation and exploring new destinations, with 22% and 21%, respectively, choosing these options. In contrast, those with an income under $25,000 were more inclined to forgo vacations altogether, with 20% indicating they don’t take vacations. This disparity underscores the impact of financial resources on leisure choices.

Age also influences vacation preferences, with older respondents (65 or older) gravitating towards cruises and road trips, each garnering 25% of their votes. Meanwhile, younger respondents aged 18-24 showed a penchant for adventure, with 17% opting for something adventurous or active. These findings highlight generational differences in how people choose to spend their leisure time.

Gender differences further illuminate vacation preferences. Women showed a strong inclination towards beach relaxation (57%) and cruises (54%). Men, on the other hand, leaned towards adventurous activities, with 59% preferring something active. These gender-based preferences suggest varying priorities in vacation experiences.

Living area also plays a role in shaping vacation choices. Suburban residents showed a strong preference for beach relaxation and cruises, with 49% and 48% respectively choosing these options. In contrast, those living in rural areas were more likely to opt for road trips, with 31% favoring this mode of travel. This data indicates that the environment in which people live can influence their vacation preferences.

Overall, the survey reveals a complex tapestry of vacation preferences among Americans, shaped by a variety of demographic factors. While relaxation and exploration remain popular choices, financial constraints, age, gender, and living area all contribute to the diversity of vacation experiences. These insights offer a glimpse into the varied ways people choose to unwind and explore the world around them.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.

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