Atlanta Ranks in Top 10 Cities for a Staycation

Posted: June 8, 2026 | Categories: News

About 72% of Americans are planning to travel this summer, but inflation may lead many to scale back spending and choose more budget-friendly vacations. The good news is that you don’t have to go far to enjoy a memorable getaway. Many nearby cities offer affordable options for entertainment, dining, and relaxation.

To identify the best destinations for an enjoyable and cost-effective staycation, WalletHub analyzed more than 180 cities using 41 key indicators, including factors such as parks per capita and average restaurant meal prices.

“It’s fun to visit an exotic location on vacation, but during rougher economic times, a staycation can save you a lot of money while being just as memorable. Not only do you avoid the cost of overnight accommodations and minimize travel costs, but you can also discover all kinds of fun activities close to home that you might not have tried out otherwise. Plus, you’ll feel more rested if you spend less time in transit and more time sleeping in your own bed.”

- CHIP LUPO, WALLETHUB ANALYST

Ask the Experts

There’s a difference between a staycation and business as usual in the context of staying local. And it all has to do with how you spend your time in the city you call home. For advice on making the best of your staycation, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What are the best ways to enjoy a staycation?
2. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?
3. What is the best time of year to have a staycation?
4. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?
5. Have staycations become more popular due to inflation?

Methodology

In order to determine the best staycation spots, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Recreation, 2) Food & Entertainment and 3) Rest & Relaxation.

We evaluated those dimensions using 41 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for staycationers. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), the square root of the population was used to calculate the “Number of Residents” in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

We then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Recreation – Total Points: 33.33

• Public Golf Courses per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Tennis Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Swimming Pools per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Basketball Hoops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Baseball & Softball Diamonds per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Playgrounds per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Walk Score: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Bike Score: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Bike Rental Facilities per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Hiking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Shopping Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Water & Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.30 Points)
• Miles of Bicycle Lanes, Paths & Routes per Square Mile: Half Weight (~1.15 Points)

Food & Entertainment – Total Points: 33.33

• Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Average Price for Two Tickets to the Theater: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Bowling Costs: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Average Cocktail Price: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Nightlife Options per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Casinos per Capita*: Half Weight (~0.85 Points)
• Festivals per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Museums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Zoos & Aquariums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Paintball Fields per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Arcades per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement Parks or Water Parks” List: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the presence and prevalence of a city in TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement Parks or Water Parks” List.
• Theaters & Concert Halls per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Beer Gardens per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Prevalence of Affordable Restaurants with 4.5+ Stars: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)
• Diversity of Restaurants: Full Weight (~1.71 Points)

Rest & Relaxation – Total Points: 33.33

• Cost of House-Cleaning Service: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Spas & Wellness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Massage Costs: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Public Beaches per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Idealness of Summer Weather: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)

Author: Adam McCann, WalletHub