As bleisure travel becomes increasingly popular, research has revealed the best U.S. cities for blending business and leisure.
The business travel experts at Booking.com for Business have analyzed internal booking and TripAdvisor data to rank the best U.S. cities for bleisure, based on leisure activities and costs.
Top U.S. cities for bleisure:
|
Attractions |
Restaurants |
|||||||||
|
Rank |
City |
State |
Museums, arts & culture per 100,000 people |
Nature & outdoor per 100,000 people |
Rated four- stars+ |
Per 100,000 people |
Rated four- stars+ |
Sightseeing bus cost |
Average three-course meal cost (two people) |
Overall score /10 |
|
1 |
New Orleans |
LA |
25.5 |
47.5 |
36% |
469 |
56% |
$46.00 |
$115 |
8.84 |
|
2 |
Las Vegas |
NV |
8.8 |
16.0 |
27% |
736 |
48% |
$55.00 |
$75 |
7.59 |
|
3 |
Orlando |
FL |
12.5 |
15.3 |
13% |
934 |
52% |
$6.00 |
$85 |
6.84 |
|
4 |
Boston |
MA |
7.3 |
14.1 |
27% |
356 |
53% |
$49.00 |
$120 |
6.81 |
|
5 |
Washington |
DC |
15.0 |
15.9 |
22% |
369 |
47% |
$49.00 |
$100 |
6.62 |
|
6 |
Nashville |
TN |
4.4 |
2.9 |
30% |
305 |
46% |
$48.95 |
$80 |
6.07 |
|
7 |
Denver |
CO |
2.4 |
6.8 |
21% |
369 |
48% |
$39.00 |
$85 |
5.68 |
|
8 |
San Diego |
CA |
2.8 |
4.8 |
25% |
307 |
50% |
$51.30 |
$90 |
5.57 |
|
9 |
Miami |
FL |
8.6 |
20.2 |
17% |
929 |
39% |
$57.00 |
$100 |
5.35 |
|
10 |
San Francisco |
CA |
11.1 |
15.7 |
17% |
597 |
47% |
$63.00 |
$120 |
5.15 |
-
New Orleans
New Orleans is the ultimate bleisure destination with its vibrant culture and historic charm. Known for its lively streets and jazz-filled atmosphere, the city offers an impressive array of museums, galleries, and cultural landmarks, including the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Historic Voodoo Museum. Nature enthusiasts can also explore scenic outdoor spots like City Park and the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.
-
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is synonymous with entertainment. It is also popular for business travelers due to its extensive conference and convention center infrastructure, world-class hotels, and convenient dining and networking opportunities. Beyond the glitz of the Strip, travelers can enjoy outdoor escapes such as Red Rock Canyon.
-
Orlando
Orlando is a hotspot for attractions, making it an excellent choice for professionals who want to extend their work trips into a leisure getaway. The city offers a range of cultural experiences, including the Orlando Museum of Art. Despite the city’s bustling tourism scene, exploring its highlights is remarkably budget-friendly; the I-RIDE trolley costs just $6 for a day pass.
The business travel experts at Booking.com for Business offer their tips for maximizing bleisure travel:
Plan Ahead: Book your leisure activities early to lock in discounts and avoid last-minute price increases.
Travel Off-Peak: If your schedule allows, adding leisure days during off-peak times can help you save on hotels, flights, and activities.
Use Loyalty Programs: Take advantage of air miles, hotel points, or Booking.com for Business, which offers rewards for frequent travelers.