Airbnb just dropped its fall 2026 trends report — and the data suggests younger travelers are becoming increasingly interested in charming small towns. As Gen Z gravitates toward small, quirky, under-the-radar destinations with intriguing local stories and history, changing fall foliage and cooler temperatures offer the perfect time to explore. Per the Gen Z survey, 90% of respondents said small towns and under-the-radar destinations were very appealing for fall travel. The appeal? Gen Z loves affordability, authentic local culture, and offbeat, only-here attractions.
As lore tripping dominates fall travel trends, these trending destinations offer the appeal Gen Z wants in a trip. From odd roadside attractions and local lore to bypassing overcrowded tourist hot spots, these ‘lore-tripping’ destinations might just be worth adding to your fall travel bucket list.
What is lore tripping?
While “lore-tripping” is a term coined in social media slang, its meaning is at the heart of what today’s travelers are seeking. The term “lore” paired with a trip refers to a type of travel that creates lore through learning about a backstory, history, or love. You can think of this term as a draw to smaller, lesser-known towns that aren’t your typical Las Vegas or New York City travel destinations.
Instead, these hidden small towns have deep histories to explore and learn about, and may even have bizarre legends/stories that accompany them. Though lore tripping can refer to travel of any length, most lore tripping destinations are perfect for a short, weekend getaway. This new slang term suggests that Gen Z isn’t just thinking outside the box when it comes to travel destinations this fall; they’re also especially interested in exploring authentic local culture.
Top lore tripping destinations
According to Airbnb search data, some small towns are seeing double-digit growth among Gen Z travelers, including Twentynine Palms, CA (up over 50 percent), Hot Springs, AR (up 30 percent), and Helen, GA (up 15 percent). Looking for some additional inspiration for your next “lore trip”? These U.S. towns make perfect destinations for fall getaways:
- La Grange, Kentucky: This Kentucky small town has a population under 6,000, making it the perfect quaint small town for fall travelers to explore. Celebrating its 200th birthday in 2027, this town is best known for its active freight train that runs directly down the middle of Main Street up to 24 times per day. La Grange is also the only town in the U.S. with a heavy-rail freight line running down a major commercial main street. La Grange is also known as the Kindness Capital of Kentucky for its pervasive “Be Kind” signs littered throughout the city.
- Hot Springs, Arkansas: Downtown Hot Springs offers a walkable mix of live music venues, lake access, and historic architecture. Perfect for “lore-tripping.”, the entire town is built around a strange phenomenon because of the naturally occurring hot springs. Throughout history, many famous mob figures like Al Calapone were thought to have visited Hot Springs.
- Williams, Arizona: Williams is the last town on the famous Route 66 to be bypassed by the interstate, offering a unique vintage theme with neon signs and diners for travelers to explore. Williams’ Grand Canyon Railway adds instant lore, and the Old West vibe everywhere makes this place unique.
- Helen, Georgia: Despite its location in GA, Helen will have you questioning whether you’ve teleported to an Alpine village. This North GA mountain town has a quaint charm thanks to its reinvention in the 1960s (it was once a lumber town)
Per Airbnb’s report, other top lore-tripping destinations include Wildwood, NJ, Twentynine Palms, CA, Point Pleasant, WV, and Rapid City, SD.
