Where the Richest Americans Go To Vacation Within the U.S.
A big part of planning the perfect vacation is finding the right destination. While the budget-conscious may be aiming for places like Nashville or Yellowstone National Park, the wealthiest Americans are going on ski trips to Vail and beach vacations in Maui. For anyone with champagne wishes and caviar dreams, the idea of actually going on an one of these ultra-luxurious vacations may sound like a fantasy they’ve only seen on TV. For the richest Americans, though, lavish trips are just a part of their fabulous lives.
To find out where the richest Americans go to vacation within the U.S., Stacker crunched the numbers from the Fall 2017 Ipsos Affluent Survey on the behavior of affluent people (those making $125,000+ per year) who shared how likely they would be to visit specific vacation destinations. Read our list to discover how the highest-earning Americans spend their time off as they enjoy everything from outdoorsy Alaskan adventures in Juneau to the Magic Kingdom.
#41. Crested Butte, CO
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 0.4%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 0.4%
This Rocky Mountain ski town is home to the Crested Butte Mountain Resort, with lifts taking snow bunnies 11,875 feet into the sky. Crested Butte isn’t just for skiing, though. It’s also been designated the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” with a stunning array of blooms all summer long.
#40. Telluride, CO
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 0.6%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 0.5%
There’s a laid-back, hippie vibe to Telluride, the ski town known for way more than just skiing. Visit in June for the legendary Telluride Bluegrass Festival or hit Allred’s at the top of the Telluride Ski Resort gondola where you can enjoy Colorado fine dining at 10,551 feet.
#39. Nantucket, MA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 0.8%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 0.8%
In the summertime, the population of this New England island off the coast of Cape Cod swells to over five times its normal size. Nantucket is only accessible via ferry or airplane, which maintains the exclusive nature of the island that serves as home to some of the most expensive real estate in America.
#38. Park City, UT
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 0.8%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 0.9%
Park City beckons the wealthy with two separate ski resorts: Park City Mountain Resort, the largest ski area in America; and Deer Valley, which offers ultra-luxury hotels like the St. Regis and the Montage. The small town in upstate Utah also happens to be home of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
Larry Johnson // Wikicommons
#37. Jackson Hole, WY
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 0.9%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 0.8%
This snowy respite in western Wyoming sits just outside of the National Elk Refuge and serves not only as a vacation destination for the ultra-rich, but also as a second home. In Teton County, 9% of households earn more than $200,000 a year. Visitors are drawn in by the ski resorts, impressive restaurants, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art where original works by Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol are on display.
Alberto Fernandez Fernandez // Wikicommons
#36. Martha's Vineyard, MA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 1.3%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 0.9%
In the tiniest of circles, Martha’s Vineyard is known solely as “The Vineyard.” Another charming island off of Cape Cod, more than half the homes on the Vineyard are occupied exclusively by seasonal vacationers and the list of frequent visitors is sure to impress, anchored by past Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
#35. Vail, CO
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 1.7%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.3%
Vail is one of the most well-known towns in Colorado, thanks to the fact that Vail Ski Resort is the most visited ski resort in the entire nation and one of the largest in the U.S. as well. Visitors can spend time on the slopes and then unwind at one of the high-end restaurants in town, including spots by Top Chef contestant Kelly Liken and Japanese culinary icon Nobu Matsuhisa.
#34. The Hamptons, NY
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 1.7%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.5%
Summering in the Hamptons isn’t just an activity for the rich and famous in New York. It’s a lifestyle. Situated on the east end of Long Island, the Hamptons is comprised of multiple cities along the Atlantic where white sand beaches offer tranquility far away from the bustle of Manhattan.
#33. Santa Fe, NM
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 1.9%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.5%
Art lovers from all over the world head to New Mexico’s capital city where they can visit the renowned Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and peruse the unique Pueblo Revival architecture that represents the city’s Native American and Spanish heritage. For relaxation in the lap of luxury, well-heeled vacationers head to the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado where guests stay in gorgeous casitas on 57 pristine acres of land.
#32. Newport, RI
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 1.9%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.9%
Just like the Hamptons and Martha’s Vineyard, Newport offers an East Coast beach getaway for Rhode Islanders with water surrounding three sides of the peninsula the town sits upon. Newport has long been a playground for the outrageously wealthy, with historic mansions dotting the town. The Vanderbilts built “The Breakers” in the late 19th Century and the 70-room palace still exists today as a National Historic Landmark open to the public.
Lorie Shaull // Wikicommons
#31. Aspen, CO
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 2.0%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.6%
Known as the most expensive town in America, Aspen plays host to the 1% with luxury stores like Gucci, Dior, and Prada alongside big-name hotel brands like Viceroy and Kimpton. Festivals bring in huge crowds with the Food & Wine Classic and the Aspen Ideas Festival, both taking place in June.
#30. San Antonio, TX
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 2.1%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 2.3%
It’s easy to remember the Alamo when vacationing in San Antonio, as the city is the perfect mix of low-key metropolis and cowboy haven. Visitors can spend time downtown near the River Walk or head to the newly developed Pearl Brewery District where the super hip Hotel Emma is waiting to welcome guests with repurposed brewery equipment and a private, two-story library filled with 3,700 books.
#29. Anchorage, AK
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 2.4%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.8%
Temperatures can dip well below zero in the winter, but vacations in Anchorage offer the rare opportunity to see 200 foot waterfalls at Chugach State Park during the day and enjoy an expensive fine-dining meal of bone-in bison ribs at Crow’s Nest at night. More than 50% of the entire population of Alaska lives in the greater Anchorage area, so luxury travelers can still get an urban vibe without feeling isolated.
#28. Juneau, AK
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 2.4%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 1.9%
Juneau fits the bill for anyone looking for a luxury outdoorsy experience. The 13-mile long Mendenhall Glacier is just 12 miles outside of downtown and serves as one of the top attractions in town. There’s not as much in the way of fine-dining as you’ll find in Anchorage, but it’s worth a visit for the chance to observe bears, whales, and bald eagles up close.
#27. Williamsburg, VA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 2.6%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 2.7%
History is at the heart of any visit to Williamsburg, named one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 15 Cities in the United States in 2017. As the biggest attraction in the area, Colonial Williamsburg draws people of all socioeconomic levels through its faithful recreation of the 1700s.
#26. Hilton Head, SC
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 2.9%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.0%
Hilton Head offers a Southern spin on the beach vacation with a Lowcountry locale and all the Southern charm you can handle at luxury resorts like the Montage Palmetto Bluff, a 20,000-acre marshland with a Jack Nicklaus golf course. Golf is a big deal in these parts, with several courses set right along the ocean.
#25. Austin, TX
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 3.1%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 2.7%
Funky is the keyword in this Texan capital where keeping things weird is the name of the game. Deep-pocketed travelers can enjoy the world-famous music scene on Sixth Street and South Congress or come down for Austin City Limits or the South by Southwest Festival. For lovers of raw fish, there’s Tyler Cole’s Uchi, recently named the second best sushi restaurant in America.
Michael Kagdis // Wikicommons
#24. Palm Beach, FL
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 3.2%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 2.7%
Palm Beach has been in the news quite a bit lately, thanks to one of its wealthiest property owners who also happens to be the President of the United States. Mar-a-Lago notwithstanding, Palm Beach attracts the rich and famous with its beachside location and upscale shopping on tony Worth Avenue, where the very first Saks Fifth Avenue outside of New York opened in 1926.
PxHere
#23. Portland, OR
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 3.2%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.5%
There’s an element of hipster cool to just about everything in Portland, so a luxury vacation here isn’t nearly as ostentatious as in similar large cities. Whiskey aficionados can find over 1,000 bottles of their favorite elixir at the Multnomah Whiskey Library and meat lovers can indulge at Ox or Bistro Agnes, both from married chef team Gabi and Greg Denton, who won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northwest in 2017.
Cristo Vlahos // Wikicommons
#22. Oahu, HI
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 3.3%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.0%
It’s fairly obvious why anyone would want to vacation in Oahu: tropical sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and a laid-back culture where time operates very differently. Luxury is around every corner in Oahu, with pricey boutiques like Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel on “Luxury Row” on the exclusive streets of Waikiki.
Pixabay
#21. Atlantic City, NJ
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 4.0%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.9%
Atlantic City sits just under 100 miles from New York City and has served as an oceanside resort town ever since the 1880s. Today, the city functions as a smaller East Coast version of Las Vegas with over 27 million visitors patronizing the multitude of casinos that currently reside in AC.
Josh Hallett // Flickr
#20. Scottsdale, AZ
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 4.1%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.3%
Scottsdale is Phoenix’s ritzier cousin and high-class vacationers head there to relax at amazing desert resorts and luxurious spas. For the 1% of the 1%, steakhouse Bourbon and Bones offers an “Epic Cristal Dinner” for 12 that will set someone with deep pockets back $25,000.
Hawaii Savvy // Flickr
#19. Maui, HI
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 4.1%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.4%
All the Hawaiian charm with none of the overpopulation of Honolulu, Maui is a dream vacation spot for its outdoor activities (hiking, biking, snorkeling, etc.). The wealthiest visitors head to Wailea where luxury resorts like the Fairmont Kea Lani and Andaz Maui provide ocean-front views and five-star accommodations.
Pixabay
#18. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 4.6%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 4.2%
Luxury has long been associated with Dallas, thanks to television. Well-off residents and visitors alike love this Texan big city for its historic properties like the Mansion on Turtle Creek and very modern new additions like The Joule Hotel. Food lovers can fill up with a multitude of options from local celebrity chefs Dean Fearing and Stephen Pyles.
Katie Haugland // Wikicommons
#17. Houston, TX
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 4.8%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 4.0%
Another urban Lone Star favorite, Houston caters to those whose fortunes come from energy and the must-eat restaurant for big spenders is Tony’s, where Houston’s richest come to chow down on classic Italian food with hefty price tags. For those that like pre-planned trips, the iconic Houstonian Hotel, former home of former President George H.W. Bush offers an “Ultimate Texas Tycoon Weekend” with a suite, custom cowboy gear, and more for $15,500.
Chris Litherland // Wikicommons
#16. New Orleans, LA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 4.8%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 4.5%
World-famous party city NOLA is fun for people of any tax bracket, but it’s especially well-suited for those with the healthiest bank accounts. No visit is complete without a meal at restaurant legends Commander’s Palace and Galatoire’s.
Pixabay
#15. Nashville, TN
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 5.0%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 4.1%
“Music City” is appropriately named for its incredible musical history starting with the Grand Ole Opry, the city’s most well-known musical institution. Vacationers keep the musical theme front and center by visiting the “Honky Tonk Highway” on Lower Broadway, where honky-tonks have live music 365 days a year.
#14. Palm Springs, CA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 5.2%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 3.7%
Celebrities like Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra have long made Palm Springs their high-temperature getaway of choice. With vacation homes averaging more than half a million dollars in the Coachella Valley, this desert oasis is definitely not for the budget-conscious. Lofty spenders like to sit poolside at the Ace Hotel and the Parker Palm Springs when temperatures cross into triple digits.
Pixabay
#13. Atlanta, GA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 5.3%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 5.4%
Georgia’s biggest city offers plenty of extravagant hotel penthouses for those that can foot the bill. Major sporting events like the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium bring sports fans into town on a regular basis, with one fan paying $94,000 for a suite this year.
#12. Philadelphia, PA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 5.8%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 5.2%
The City of Brotherly Love offers more than just the Liberty Bell to deep-pocketed visitors. For those that love to indulge in Philly’s signature dish and don’t care about the bill, Barclay’s Prime offers a $120 cheesesteak made with wagyu beef and foie gras
#11. Seattle, WA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 6.4%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 5.5%
While value visitors give Seattle low scores for the cost of vacationing in Seattle, the richest Americans feel right at home thanks to lodging that showcases the stunning Pacific Northwest beauty of the surrounding region. For the ultra-ultra-rich, Seattle serves as the launching point for the exclusive Four Seasons Private Jet experience, which shuttles people willing to shell out $138,000 for a vacation around the world.
#10. Boston, MA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 7.2%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 6.8%
The Boston Brahmins have been a symbol of wealth in Boston for 150 years and today’s Boston offers quite a bit to the visiting magnate. Copley Place provides the scene for a pocketbook-emptying shopping spree while the famous Skinner auction house commands major dollars for their rotating menu of antique wares.
#9. Napa/Sonoma, CA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 7.6%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 6.1%
The most famous wine country in America hews the line between tranquil rurality and over-the-top luxury. Visitors can head to The French Laundry for Thomas Keller’s tasting menus or unwind at the award-winning Meadowood resort where the two-bedroom Estate Suite starts at $3,350 per night.
#8. Chicago, IL
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 8.3%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 8.4%
The so-called “Second City” is a world-class cultural destination with Tony-award winning theaters (Steppenwolf and The Goodman) along with one of the world’s best restaurants (and many more dining establishments that can be considered among the best in America). There’s no shortage of luxury hotels for vacationers with everything from the Ritz-Carlton to the Waldorf Astoria to the Four Seasons vying for attention.
#7. Miami/Miami Beach, FL
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 8.4%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 7.4%
Miami’s South Beach club scene has always been a magnet for the rich and famous, but Miami also draws in high-end travelers with a wide range of activities from yachting in Biscayne Bay to cruising the art deco landmarks of Ocean Drive. Tourists may flock to Joe’s Stone Crab, but the society set can be found at The Forge where the wine cellar holds more than $3 million worth of wine.
#6. San Diego, CA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 10.0%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 9.0%
Gorgeous views of the Pacific ocean and some of the best Mexican food in America are just two reasons why well-to-do vacationers head to San Diego. Another reason is the Hotel del Coronado, a beachside classic on Coronado Island that originally hosted rich Americans all the way back in 1888.
#5. San Francisco, CA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 10.9%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 9.3%
While the price of homes in the San Francisco area skyrockets thanks to tech investors, so does the cost of vacationing. Saison, one of SF’s best restaurants and a winner of three Michelin stars, offers a tasting menu for $298 per person and that doesn’t even include drinks. For the drinks, go to award winner Smuggler’s Cove for their $725 mai tai.
#4. Las Vegas, NV
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 10.9%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 10.0%
High rollers have it made in the gambling capital of America. Dinner at world-famous chef Joel Robuchon’s restaurant at the MGM Grand requires $500 a person for 16 courses of fine French cuisine. The Nobu Villa at the Nobu Hotel in Caesar’s Palace goes for $35,000 a night. Even tickets to see Britney Spears can cost over $800 for one show.
#3. Los Angeles, CA
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 13.0%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 11.2%
Hollywood is just a small part of the charm of Los Angeles, where well-heeled vacationers rent villas in Malibu and eat at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT Steakhouse in Beverly Hills with pure wagyu beef flown in from Japan that costs $26 an ounce. Rodeo Drive allows for overspending at big-name boutiques and Lamborghinis can be rented for over $5,000 a weekend.
#2. New York City, NY
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 14.5%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 12.2%
If you’re not a rich person who lives in New York, you’re a rich person who vacations in New York. Wealthy people come from all over for the world-class restaurant scene, Broadway shows, and the $75,000 a night penthouse at the Mark Hotel.
#1. Orlando, FL
Household income $200,000+ who vacation here: 15.5%
Household income $125,000+ who vacation here: 16.0%
When the richest Americans come to Orlando for a meeting with Mickey Mouse, they opt for the hush-hush Private VIP tours that run up to $625 an hour. Orlando is a haven for the monied crowd with major luxury hotel brands like the Four Seasons, the Waldorf-Astoria, and the Ritz-Carlton all available to wealthy vacationers.
