New Haven, New Haven

According to Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends Report, New Haven, Connecticut has become one of the top-trending fall travel destinations, ranking 8th globally and surpassing popular spots like Mykonos, Greece, and Bilbao, Spain. Just a 90-minute to two-hour trip from New York City, New Haven appeals to travelers with its historic charm, Yale University’s collegiate atmosphere, and its famous pizza culture—home to legendary “apizza” rivals Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s which I’ve been attending from childhood into early college days as my go-to support system. The pizza commonly assessed by influencers such as David Portnoy, doesn’t need such validations as it adheres to its original recipes dating back to early 1900’s when our ancestors came across the pond.

Coined the Elm City, for its Elm tree-lined streets, the city also features craft breweries, bookstores, coffee shops, and a thriving music and theater scene, including the Shubert Theatre and the classic Toad’s Place. Other top destinations on the list included Limon, Costa Rica (No. 1), Jaipur, India, Bodrum, Turkey, Madeira, Portugal, and Vail, Colorado as the most popular U.S. destination (No. 5).Despite competition from glamorous global locales, New Haven’s mix of cultural heritage, arts, and cozy New England vibe has made it a surprising but trendy choice for fall travelers.