Small-Town Charm Reigns as Fredericksburg, Texas Named Most Welcoming U.S. Travel Destination

Booking.com's annual Traveler Review Awards highlight the appeal of smaller cities over big metros.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to Booking.com's 2026 Traveler Review Awards, the small Texas Hill Country town of Fredericksburg has been named the most welcoming travel destination in the United States. The rankings, based on positive traveler reviews, also highlighted other smaller cities like Palm Desert, California; Cape May, New Jersey; Broken Bow, Oklahoma; and Waikoloa, Hawaii as top welcoming spots, showcasing the enduring appeal of small-town charm over big city allure.

Why it matters

The Booking.com rankings challenge the common perception that major metropolitan areas are the most desirable travel destinations. Instead, the data suggests that travelers are increasingly seeking out smaller, more intimate locales that offer a unique sense of place, community, and hospitality - qualities that larger cities can sometimes lack. This trend has implications for the tourism industry, as well as urban planning and economic development in these welcoming small towns.

The details

Fredericksburg, known for its German heritage, charming main street, Texas Wine Country, and National Museum of the Pacific War, received the most positive traveler reviews according to Booking.com. Other top destinations include Palm Desert, California for its luxury resorts, golf courses, and outdoor activities; Cape May, New Jersey for its historic Victorian architecture and picturesque beaches; Broken Bow, Oklahoma for its scenic lakes, forests, and hiking; and Waikoloa, Hawaii for its luxury accommodations, golf, and laidback atmosphere.

  • Booking.com released its 2026 Traveler Review Awards in February 2026.

The players

Booking.com

An online travel booking platform that recently released its annual Traveler Review Awards highlighting the most welcoming travel destinations in the United States.

Fredericksburg, Texas

A small Texas Hill Country town that was named the most welcoming travel destination in the U.S. according to Booking.com's 2026 rankings, known for its German heritage, charming main street, Texas Wine Country, and National Museum of the Pacific War.

Palm Desert, California

A city in the Coachella Valley that ranked second on Booking.com's list of most welcoming U.S. destinations, known for its luxury resorts, golf courses, shopping, and desert landscapes.

Cape May, New Jersey

A historic town on the Jersey Shore that ranked third on Booking.com's list, known for its Victorian-era architecture and picturesque beaches.

Broken Bow, Oklahoma

A city in southeastern Oklahoma that stood out for its outdoor appeal, including Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow Lake, and the Ouachita National Forest.

Waikoloa, Hawaii

A village on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island that rounded out the top five most welcoming destinations, known for its luxury resorts, golf courses, beaches, and lava-rock landscapes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Recognition [of] our partners in destinations like Fredericksburg, Palm Desert and Cape May highlights the dedication they bring to delivering great places to stay across the country.”

— Ben Harrell, Booking.com (Fox News Digital)

The takeaway

The Booking.com rankings demonstrate that travelers are increasingly seeking out smaller, more intimate destinations that offer a unique sense of community and hospitality, challenging the long-held assumption that big cities are the most desirable travel spots. This trend has important implications for the tourism industry, as well as urban planning and economic development in these welcoming small towns across America.