Alexandria Named Best U.S. Travel Destination: Money Magazine

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Alexandria has been named the top U.S. destination for 2018 by Money Magazine, beating out Disneyland and other notable destinations.

For the third year, Money looked at destination in the U.S. and abroad that give travelers the best value for their money. The magazine used over 32,000 data points analyzing cost, year-over-year trends, and customer satisfaction. It factored in the number of activities available such as museums, parks, campgrounds, historic landmarks, restaurants and more, as well as factors like weather, crime and walkability.

Alexandria's plethora of activities and reasonable costs of airfare and hotels helped it claim the top spot. The average $140 hotel price is about half of the downtown DC price, making it an appealing option for DC area travelers, according to Money. "Each spot is packed with must-do experiences and amenities but at a price that, relatively speaking, makes it a steal," stated the magazine.

Money acknowledged that it's not only a place to stay before heading into DC, but a place with many attractions in its own right. Some of the places mentioned are the waterfront, the shops and eateries along King Street, the Torpedo Factory Art Center and The Birchmere. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

The analysis estimated the cost of a weeklong trip for two, which includes airfare, hotel, local transportation, meals and activities. For Alexandria, the cost is $2,540, which comes in below a stay in Chicago or Philadelphia.

Here's the full list of best U.S. travel destinations and best international destinations:

Best in Travel, U.S. Destinations

1. Alexandria, Virginia

2. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

3. Stateline, Nevada

4. Glen Arbor, Michigan

5. Pompano Beach, Florida

6. Chicago, Illinois

7. Anaheim, California

8. Lake George, New York

9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best in Travel, International Destinations

1. Tokyo, Japan

2. Rome, Italy

3. Mérida, Mexico

4. Xi’an China

5. London, England

6. Jeju Island, South Korea

7. Mallorca, Spain

8. Tbilisi, Georgia

9. Singapore

10. Granada, Nicaragua

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