Expedia Names 100 Best Places to Visit in U.S.
Expedia's 2026 list picks two destinations per state, including Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Assateague State Park for Maryland.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in National Parks
Live Poll
Would you plan a trip to Assateague State Park after seeing this list?
Expedia has released its 2026 list of 100 of the best places to visit in the U.S., naming two destinations per state. Maryland's selections are Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Assateague State Park.
Why it matters
The list is built from Expedia's own hotel booking data and online search interest rather than editorial opinion or reader voting, offering travelers a data-driven snapshot of popular destinations. It may help nationwide travelers plan trips across states.
Expedia combined hotel bookings and search volume for each state's points of interest, then removed outliers before finalizing 100 destinations. The methodology does not disclose the individual booking or search figures behind each pick.
The players
Expedia
Expedia is a major online travel company that operates a large hotel booking platform.
Assateague State Park
Assateague State Park is Maryland's only oceanfront state park, located on Assateague Island on the state's Eastern Shore.
The details
Assateague State Park is Maryland's only oceanfront state park, with two miles of ocean beaches on Assateague Island, which lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Sinepuxent Bay. State officials ask visitors to stay at least 40 feet away from the wild horses that roam the island.
Timeline
2026: Expedia's list of best U.S. places to visit is released.
Travel Outlook
Expedia's list relies on booking and search data rather than editorial judgment, reflecting how online travel platforms now shape which destinations draw national attention. The two-per-state format gives every state equal representation regardless of tourism volume.
Travelers interested in Assateague State Park can plan visits around the wild horses, keeping at least 40 feet of distance as state officials request. The park's two miles of ocean beaches make it a practical beach-and-wildlife stop for trip planning.
The takeaway
Expedia's list offers a starting point for planning U.S. trips, but travelers should verify current conditions and rules at individual parks and attractions before visiting. Respecting wildlife distance rules at places like Assateague keeps both visitors and animals safe.
Further reading
Explore more destinations in the National Parks section for context on protected landscapes like Assateague.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The MoCo Show.
Live Poll
Would you plan a trip to Assateague State Park after seeing this list?
