With vacation time in full swing and the demand for travel continuing to swell as worries about the COVID-19 pandemic subside, BetMichigan.com examined where Michiganders were jetting off to these days.
BetMichigan, your home for the best Michigan online casinos sites, used Google Trends to examine the most searched cities by each state in America. We used the term “Flights To” then found the city searched for most often at the end of that phrase.
After reviewing the trends over a 12-month span (from June 25, 2022, to June 25, 2023), we found the results for the top three cities for Michigan folks to visit. Cities within the state were not included.
It turns out there was no great surprise in the No. 1 city favored by Michiganders to visit.
The No. 1 destination was Orlando, Florida.
Depending on the travel survey that’s being referenced, the most visited city in America is frequently identified as New York. However, Orlando is almost always in the top three, and occasionally, it is at the top of the list.
There’s no secret why that’s the case. With Disney World as the crown jewel among the Orlando area’s offering of family-friendly attractions, there’s also Universal Studios, SeaWorld and an assortment of other Sunshine State attractions, such as Cape Canaveral, which are within a day trip of Central Florida.
While it can get steamy in the summer, there’s an old saying that you don’t have to shovel sunshine. The Orlando area offers a decent opportunity for balmy weather that’s a welcome respite from the harsh Michigan winters.
The second favorite destination for Michigan travelers was Chicago. That one may be considered a surprise, at least for leisure travel in the winter.
But certainly, Chicago is not without its charms.
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (aka the Bean) top many travelers’ must-see lists. Museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, can fill several days’ worth of culture appreciation. For less highbrow activities, there are popular gangster tours.
For families, the Navy Pier with a children’s museum, rides and food is good for a day’s worth of activity. And for those who can take heights, there’s the 103rd-floor Skydeck of the Willis Tower. If a perch from 103 floors is a bit too high, the John Hancock Building allows folks to take a gander at the Windy City from a little lower, say, the 94th floor.
Sports travel is another possible reason for Michigan folks to visit the Windy City, as Detroit and Chicago share some intense rivalries. The Lions — who are +120 favorites at Caesars Sportsbook Michigan to win the NFC North in the 2023 season — are old division rivals with the Bears. Ditto for MLB’s Tigers and White Sox in the American League East; as well as for the Pistons and Bulls in the NBA’s Central Division.
The third city on the list of destinations favored by Michiganders was another Florida city, Miami.
Much like Orlando to the north, Miami’s appeals are probably obvious, albeit a little more tilted toward adult fun. Year-round warm weather, a magnificent beach and the blue Atlantic Ocean, plus South Florida’s vibrant culture of food and music are powerful draws.
Miami is only about a three-hour flight from Detroit. So, with its strong Cuban influence and the sizzling nightlife of South Beach, Miami easily transports Michiganders to a world far from their typical days back home.
Stick with BetMichigan for more lifestyle stories plus your top Michigan casino bonuses.
Author
Joss has over a decade of experience in the US online gambling market. His analysis and writing cover every aspect of the business. After a career as an Army officer, he spent time in business, then took up online poker. Joss lives in Peru with his family. Joss is globally considered one of the leading voices in the gambling industry, especially North American sports betting.
Cited by leading media organizations, such as:
