Travel planners share 9 places in the US everyone will want to visit this year

Jackson, Wyoming is a location made for skiers and hikers alike, making it a prime destination year-round.

Gavin Miller, executive vice president of luxury travel agency Travel Edge, said Jackson will be a hot destination in 2022. 

"Jackson is an amazing destination to explore the outdoors, enjoy a spa day, savor some delicious cuisine, or perhaps peruse an art gallery at any time of the year," Miller said.

If you're not looking to ski, he said, you can also take advantage of the lower rates during the spring and fall off-seasons.

Consider adding Jackson to your travel list just before mid-November (ski season) if you want a winter getaway with more affordable rates and availability. 

Lauren Doyle, president of boutique travel agency The Travel Mechanic told Insider that Yellowstone's been a well-known travel destination for years — and it continues to rise in popularity.

Doyle said part of Yellowstone's growing popularity can be attributed to the popular Paramount TV show of the same name and the location's "picturesque" landscape.

"It is definitely a fun place to visit, particularly for those who love the outdoors and are more predisposed to adventure travel as there is no shortage of activities such as fly fishing, ice climbing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, camping, golfing, rock climbing, hunting, skiing, and more," Doyle said.

Henley Vazquez, travel advisor and cofounder of moderrn travel agency Fora, believes one city in the South will make its way to the top of traveler's plans in 2022.

Home of creole culture, jazz music, Mardi Gras, and 18th-century architecture, New Orleans is a city that Vazquez has recently seen in demand. 

"NOLA offers a combination of food, culture, and music, with better pricing than you'll find at some of the mountain towns, plus it's an easy weekend getaway from many other cities for some more temperate weather during the winter," Vazquez said.

Sea Island offers 5 miles of private beach, luxury resorts and accommodations, and several outdoor activities, including golf, with PGA tournaments having been held on the island.

Maria Diego of Diego Travel agency has seen this location grow in popularity and expects to see more of the same.

"One of my best-selling destinations throughout the pandemic has been Sea Island, Georgia. Located between Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, it's an easy drive from Miami/South Florida and the East Coast," she said.

Sea Island has hotel accommodations and cottage rentals, plus it's dog-friendly. 

"Since people are looking for extended vacations, this is a great option that offers so many activities for families," Diego said. There are plenty of golf courses and tennis courts, too. 

Bend, Oregon, started as a logging town in the early 1900s, but today it's home to many outdoor sports, including fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

Kendall Robertson, cofounder and travel planner at Ecco Travels expects Bend to be a hot destination this year, especially as people continue heading outdoors.

"The city of Bend itself is incredibly charming with a river running through the middle of town that is perfect for tubing and stand-up paddle," she said. "There is even a portion of the waterway that can be used for surfing."

Bend also has a riverwalk dotted with restaurants, breweries, and local shops. Its surrounding mountain ranges are great for hiking and biking in warm months and skiing and snowboarding in colder ones, she added. 

Crested Butte is located in the Rocky Mountains and is home to just under 1,500 residents. 

"Crested Butte has an adorable main street, cute Western bars, great food, and incredible hiking/biking opportunities in the nearby mountains," Robertson said.

The town has plenty of local businesses and some great skiing spots in the winter. In the summers, it's known for its field of wildflowers. 

Robertson told Insider that many compare the area to Switzerland because "it's very lush and surrounded by mountains."

Mandy Pullin, owner of and travel planner at DPP Travel told Insider Zion National Park will be a popular destination in 2022. 

"Zion National Park and surrounding areas provide vacation options for a variety of activity levels and budgets," she told Insider. The park has short trails and more advanced ones, with some requiring permits. 

It's also known as one of the world's best places for canyoneering (exploring canyons).

She said that her travel agency has "seen a significant increase" in clients looking to visit US National Parks, especially ones in Arizona and Utah, since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Freeport, nicknamed the Birthplace of Maine, could be a popular destination in 2022, Barbie Mission at Trip101 told Insider. 

"Freeport is a charming small town home to natural attractions, parks, mountain trails, and numerous shopping outlets. It features so many stores and shops that it has become one of the most popular shopping spots in the state," Mission said.

There's plenty to do there, Mission said, whether visitors want to explore the sprawling Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, kayak in clear waters, or take ice-skating lessons. 

As many travel restrictions change and loosen up, some travelers will be looking to visit warmer climates in 2022. For this reason, travel planner Gayle Hurst at IPTALY Luxury Travel anticipates seeing a lot of Hawaiian vacations. 

The Hawaiian Islands each have their own vibe to them, which means travelers can really personalize their vacation.

"The islands of Hawaii will be a popular destination in 2022 because it has an international feeling while still being in the USA," Hurst said. "The island layout allows you to experience more than one island if you want to take a day trip or have an overnight stay. From high energy in Waikiki to laid back in Kauai, you can't go wrong."