Ohio Park, Texas Towns Top Labor Day List

HomeToGo's trending ranking puts Hocking Hills and two Texas towns among top Labor Day getaways.

HomeToGo, a vacation rental search engine, released its Labor Day Travel Report ranking the top 25 trending U.S. destinations by year-over-year search growth. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the ranking is based on searches conducted on HomeToGo between Jan. 1 and July 25, 2026, for stays with check-in dates between Aug. 31 and Sept. 9. CultureMap San Antonio reports that overall interest in Labor Day trips has grown 23 percent since last year, with Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, claiming the number-one spot, followed by Red River Gorge, Kentucky, and Orcas Island, Washington. The Dispatch notes that the ranking does not measure actual visitation but identifies destinations with the biggest year-over-year increase in search interest.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Hocking Hills State Park was the only Ohio destination to make the list, securing the 25th and final spot. The Dispatch reports that search interest in Hocking Hills rose 20 percent year over year, placing it just behind Saugatuck, Michigan, at number 24. The 2,356-acre park offers free admission and is known for its cliffs, waterfalls, and hiking trails, the Dispatch adds. The park has also earned national recognition: The Columbus Dispatch reports it was named number four in the Best State Park category by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards 2026 and number nine on USA TODAY's Best Destination for Fall Colors in 2025.

CultureMap San Antonio reports that two Texas destinations made the list: Rockport at number 19 and Wimberley at number 23. According to CultureMap, Rockport is about a 2.5-hour drive from San Antonio and will host the Fiesta en la Playa Tejano festival from September 4-6, featuring headliners including Bobby Pulido and a Selena tribute act. Wimberley, approximately 1.5 hours from San Antonio, is home to the Onera resort, where guests can stay in modern treehouses with panoramic countryside views, CultureMap notes. Last year, Bolivar Peninsula was the only Texas destination on the list, the outlet adds.

The trend toward under-the-radar destinations extends beyond the HomeToGo ranking. According to Patch, a survey by AI-powered platform Hostinger identified Willimantic, Connecticut, as a "hidden gem" with untapped tourism potential, ranking 69th nationally among 3,000 surveyed travelers. Patch reports that Willimantic's brick mill buildings, creative community, and the Windham Textile and History Museum give it a character distinct from Connecticut's more polished New England towns. The survey suggests travelers are increasingly drawn to destinations that feel, in Patch's words, "lively, unconventional, and distinctly local."

CultureMap San Antonio reports that 90 percent of Labor Day searches on HomeToGo were for rural locations, and 65 percent were for domestic destinations, signaling a strong preference for nature-rich, drivable escapes. The Columbus Dispatch notes that HomeToGo found travelers are seeking more nature-focused, drive-to destinations. Both outlets frame the data as evidence that travelers are prioritizing accessible outdoor experiences over distant or urban getaways, a shift that benefits small towns and state parks positioned within driving distance of major metropolitan areas.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Hocking Hills State Park is set to add a mountain roller coaster in 2027, expanding its outdoor attractions beyond hiking and scenic drives. CultureMap San Antonio notes that both Rockport and Wimberley are within easy driving distance of San Antonio, positioning them to capture continued regional travel demand. The elevated national profiles from the ranking could draw additional visitors, though The Columbus Dispatch notes the list measures search interest rather than actual visitation.