America's Top Five Most Expensive Vacations Destinations Aren't What You'd Expect

Think fast! What's the most expensive vacation destination in the United States? We're going out on the proverbial limb here, but it's probably a safe bet to guess Hawaii was top of mind for most readers. The sun, sand, and pristine beaches scream budget-be-damned dream destination, not to mention the 50th U.S. state is 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean from California's west coast, so getting there isn't easy. In a surprise twist, it turns out a vacation in the Aloha State is a relative bargain compared to the top five most expensive getaway locales revealed in a 2025 survey by GOBankingRates. So what's No. 1? Aspen, Colorado, a top U.S. mountain town for winter relaxation. 

Hawaii, specifically Honolulu — the city with the world's highest tourist tax — came in at No. 20 on the list of the most expensive vacation destinations. To create the ranking, GOBankingRates mined data from three sources: Tripadvisor's Top Destinations, Travel + Leisure's Top U.S. Cities, and U.S. News & World Report's Best Cities in the U.S. It then compared the list to the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Numbeo's Cost of Living Index. Only destinations referenced in both databases made the final list of destinations.

Using a sample three-night itinerary based on travel August 7 to 10, 2025 by two adults including meals, modest accommodations, and average airfare to the nearest gateway, GOBankingRates came up with a roster of the top 55 most expensive vacation destinations in the U.S. Rounding out the top five after Aspen, Santa Barbara, California came in at No. 2 followed, in order, by Anchorage, Alaska; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Fairbanks, Alaska.

Aspen is well-known as a world-class winter sports destination. Its four peaks — Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass — and an average annual snowfall of more than 300 inches, attract ski enthusiasts from far and wide. But there's more to the Silver Queen (a nod to its history as a silver mining destination) than thrilling downhill runs and aprés ski cocktails. When the snow cover melts and the days get longer, those same peaks beckon explorers to hike and mountain bike. A kaleidoscopic blanket of wildflowers blossoms along trails that are impassable in winter. Among the most popular, the American Lake Trail begins with a steep rise then traverses back and forth for about a mile and a half before settling into a gentle rise for the final leg to the alpine lake surrounded by a pine forest.

In addition to being an outdoor wonderland, Aspen also boasts a revered food culture. Culinary luminaries flock to the mountain destination every year in June for the annual Food & Wine Classic. The multi-day event showcases cooking demonstrations, tastings, celebrity chats, and a roster of more than 200 exhibitors, but it doesn't end there. Aspen's innovative chefs and restaurants ensure the culinary capital remains at the forefront of innovative dining all year long.  GOBankingRates' average cost for a three-night stay: $2,708.

Coming in at No. 2 on the GOBankingRates survey, Santa Barbara, California, is sometimes called the American Riviera. The nickname derives from its Mediterranean-like climate, its appealing blend of Mediterranean and Spanish Revival architecture, and its impressive food and wine culture. All points legendary chef, television host, and cookbook author, and Francophile Julia Child brought to the fore when she compared Santa Barbara to the south of France between Marseille — the perfect home base for exploring the French Riviera — and Nice.

With a year-round temperate climate and a coastal location, Santa Barbara is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The nearby Santa Ynez Mountains are home to a network of hiking and cycling trails offering scenic vistas, including several waterfalls. We mentioned the temperate climate. That includes an average of 300 sunny days every year, making Santa Barbara a playground for water-based activities, including sailing, kayaking, surfing, and even whale-watching. And while Napa and Sonoma get all the buzz, Santa Barbara is known for its world-class wines, including pinot noir and chardonnay. Spend a day exploring local wineries — book a tour and leave the driving to someone else — or set out on foot to follow the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, a network of more than 20 tasting rooms in downtown Santa Barbara, all located within walking distance of one another. GOBankingRates' average cost for a three-night stay: $2,446.

Most cruise lines skip Anchorage, Alaska, in favor of nearby Whittier and Seward, but the port selections aren't a reflection of Anchorage as a destination. It's just that today's behemoth cruise ships require especially deep anchorages, and Alaska's largest city can't compete on that front. That's a mixed blessing. The upside is the gateway to Alaska's wilderness attracts more intentional travelers, visitors specifically interested in exploring the surprisingly sophisticated urban center. At No. 3 on GOBankingRates' list of most expensive tourist destinations, Anchorage is home to 40% of the state's population. It's a city with an economy driven by its role in key business sectors including oil and gas, transportation, and, of course, tourism. Anchorage boasts an average median household income just shy of $100,000 per year — a figure on par with Oakland, California, and Boston, Massachusetts — with a cultural and entertainment landscape to match.

In addition to fine-dining venues like Crow's Nest with its 360-degree views of downtown Anchorage, the city is home to a robust craft brewery industry. The Alaska Native Heritage Center chronicles the legacy of the Indigenous Dena'ina with exhibits, workshops, and performance art, while the Alaska Museum houses permanent and rotating exhibits showcasing Alaska's heritage. The city boasts an active arts community, including the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and the Anchorage Opera Company, in addition to galleries showcasing works by local artists and artisans. GOBankingRates' average cost for a three-night stay: $2,294.

"The best small town to visit in the USA," according to U.S. News & World Report, Bar Harbor, Maine, is a charming seaside village on Maine's rocky north-central coast. Vintage storefronts along the main drag house an eclectic array of shops and restaurants. Highlights include A Little Mad, a fun-to-browse curiosity shop; the Christmas Vacation Shop, a great place to pick up a commemorative ornament; and the Acadia Country Store, a vintage emporium offering everything from local pottery and T-shirts to jams and fudge. Island Artisans showcases works by local artists and artisans, and the seasonal Eden Farmers' Market takes place on Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Historic sites in downtown Bar Harbor include the Abbe Museum and La Rochelle Mansion and History Museum. Be sure to notice the original Tiffany windows as you pass by St. Saviour's Episcopal Church. For a scenic stroll, head for Town Pier, the starting point for Shore Path. Created in the 1880s, the flat trail winds along Frenchman Bay for almost a mile (1.5 miles round-trip), revealing views of the Porcupine Islands, Balance Rock, and Egg Rock Light along the way. For an on-the-water experience, consider booking a boat tour. The ticket office for Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. is about a two-minute walk from the starting point of Shore Path. Located on Maine's Mount Desert Island, the largest island off the coast of Maine and the second largest off the eastern seaboard, Bar Harbor is widely known as the gateway to Acadia National Park. Described by the National Park Service as "the crown jewel of the North Atlantic coast," Acadia National Park is a 50,000-acre playground for nature lovers. Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the park's main entrance, is located in Bar Harbor. GOBankingRates' average cost for a three-night stay: $2,224.

Located less than 200 miles south of the signpost marking the location where the only maintained road in the United States crosses into the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks, Alaska, is definitely due north. Its geographic position makes it a prime location for witnessing the aurora borealis. The natural phenomenon occurs when charged electrons and protons emitted by the sun meet Earth's upper atmosphere. The result is a spectacular astral display of glowing curtains of light spread across the sky. Viewing is especially good from mid-August to mid-April. 

Even at such a remote latitude, Fairbanks is a thriving business center with a strong economic base in the tourism industry. Still, only about 100,000 people live year-round in Alaska's second-largest population center. (Anchorage is No. 1.) You won't find any skyscrapers in downtown Fairbanks — until recently, the tallest building in the city topped out at 11 stories, but the 1952 structure was demolished in 2025 — but you will find plenty of interesting shops and restaurants. The Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center chronicles the history of Fairbanks and its Indigenous people through films, lectures, and exhibits. Alaska's Golden Heart, a nod to its Gold Rush history, is known for its harsh winters, but summer brings more temperate temperatures and 'round-the-clock sunshine. It's no wonder locals celebrate the summer solstice with a Midnight Sun Festival. midnight sun with a summer solstice festival.

But the far-northern city doesn't hibernate in the winter. Residents just dress for the cold and play in a winter wonderland in a terrain ideal for . dogsledding, Nordic skiing, ice-skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, even ice sculpting. And alpine skiers can check a box of their to-do lists with a day on the slopes at Skiland, home to the most northern chairlift in North America. GOBankingRates' average cost for a three-night stay: $2,157.