Ohio city ranks No. 1 travel spot for most bang for your buck

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After enduring stay-at-home pandemic behavior, Americans are traveling again. A new survey ranks Cleveland tops among 13 U.S. cities for travelers to get the biggest bang for their buck.

A recent Forbes Advisor Survey noted that while the nation was committed to traveling in 2022, 49% of those polled said they planned to travel even more in 2023 than they did in 2022. The top four reasons cited by respondents were visiting family and friends, taking a road trip, going to the beach and celebrating important life events.

The Vacationer, a popular travel planning site, found that 85% of Americans it surveyed planned to travel. And while only about 74% of those 60 years and older planned to take a trip, well over 88% planned to hit the road before Labor Day in age brackets 18 to 29, 30 to 44 and 45 to 60.

With vast numbers of people going places, that means extra crowds and cost pressure on many well-known big-city destinations that routinely attract millions. Against that backdrop, CardRates.com, based in Gainesville, ranked 13 U.S. cities that it says offer the most unique adventures without breaking the bank – its 13 Underrated Travel Destinations to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck.

The rankings evaluated five data points: population, purchasing power, cost of living, quality of life and climate.

In topping the list, Cleveland was cited for reinventing itself a few times over the years. The survey described it as “a place where the melting pot produces a heady mix.”

History intersects with innovation, old-timers learn newcomers’ ways, and the city never stops looking to the future, CardRates.com said.

Among the recommended activities: Strolling the West Side Market, even if you plan to go out for dinner. The visit will tell you a lot about Cleveland’s diversity through its food.

Parks, natural spaces, historic sites, museums, galleries, and ethnic neighborhoods abound. And a visit to the Cleveland Public Library is worth the trip just for its gorgeous architecture.

Cincinnati also cracked the Top 10, ranking No. 8.

Here’s the 13 cities that were ranked as the top destinations: