What really matters to you on vacation? Is it the fancy hotel? Incredible attractions? Trying those local delicacies (fried crickets anyone?). Or just taking the time to chill the hell out for a week straight? Chat to friends and you’ll probably find a mixed bag of motivations for that next trip.
We put the question to over 2,000 US holidaymakers and as it turns out, when it comes to spending our hard-earned cash (and achingly precious annual leave), there are five clear travel types that win out. From the planning ‘mastermind’ to ‘thrill seekers’ and seasoned ‘connoisseurs’, we’re digging into exactly what makes the perfect getaway, and where you should go based on your own travel personality.
Masterminds (37%)
Masterminds (37%)
As the name suggests, you are very much the brains behind the operation. Organization is where you shine. Some might say A-type, we say mastermind. Your fun starts way before you even get to the airport: from booking travel and hotels, to pre-arranging tickets for sports events and shows, you’ve got the big stuff crossed off your list well in advance. Your fellow travel buddies may tease you for your spreadsheets and hour-by-hour itineraries, but you know they’re secretly impressed.
Best for perfectly planned trips
London
Barcelona
San Diego
Thrill seekers (26%)
Thrill seekers (26%)
No thank you spa breaks, it's buzzy adventures you’re after, preferably with a hefty dose of adrenaline. That doesn’t necessarily mean rollercoasters and jet skis (although you probably wouldn’t say no...) - you just want to be excited by something new. Of the thrill seekers we spoke to, 33% got the biggest kick out of simply exploring the unknown in a totally different environment, with 24% choosing to take some kind of city tour and just 18% favoring amusement parks above all else.
Best for adrenaline highs
Las Vegas
Orlando
New York
Vacay Scouts (6%)
Vacay Scouts (6%)
ou guys take the ‘always be prepared’ mantra to the next level. While your fave activities differ (36% of you want to relax by the pool or beach, 14% like going to concerts best, 13% love a public park and 8% make a beeline for cultural hotspots), your readiness for any situation is what draws you together. You are armed at all times with sunscreen, raincoats, chargers and a head torch for good measure. And most importantly, there will always, always be snacks.
Important sidenote for some of the mums out there... your soul may say impulsive thrill seeker but your day bag appears to say vacay scout. We see you. Wishing you a very prepared vacation with hopefully a few pockets of spontaneity along the way!
Best for a perfectly prepared trip
San Diego
Singapore
Dubai
Floaters (we did not name this one. Promise.)
Floaters (we did not name this one. Promise.)
No plan? No problem. Making up 14% of the population, you are the polar opposite of both masterminds and scouts. Pretty much allergic to bookings of any kind, you just want to get there, mosey around and get lost in the city. Maybe you’ll see a few sights, scale a skyscraper and you’ll almost certainly find some new local pals (13% of you make new friends when you’re away).
Connoisseurs (16%)
Connoisseurs (16%)
You take charge of all things food. Move over Wolfgang Puck, you got this. You’ve already ranked every steak restaurant in town, you know exactly where to find the best negroni and if there’s a decent pistachio cream within 10 miles of your villa, you know about it. A chunky 64% of you rank food as the most important element of a trip. You may be generally pretty chill but when it comes to places to eat, you take the reins and don’t suffer fools. No we won’t be going to Applebee’s, but thanks for the suggestion Susan.
Methodology
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American travelers who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Go City and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 17 and Oct. 27, 2025.
Fair Use
When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing https://gocity.com/en-us
