The 10 Most Popular Cities for Holiday Travel

The Orbitz.com Insider Index is out, and its statistics measure not only the busiest (and least busy) days to fly during this upcoming season, but which cities will be most popular over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Here's what you need to know.
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    Los Angeles

    The City of Angels is Orbitz's number one destination for Christmas travel, despite (or maybe because of?) its 80-degree temperature and Christmas lights on palm trees instead of white weather. Los Angeles also ranks as the third most popular city for Thanksgiving travel and fourth most popular for New Year's.

  • Orlando

    With the kids off school for the holidays and the sun beckoning in southern Florida, it's no wonder Orlando attracts the next highest amount of Christmas travel. Orlando is second for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but comes in first for New Year's celebration travel.

  • Cancun

    The only international destination on the list, Cancun dominates during the winter holidays thanks to its sublime weather and affordable airfares. Cancun also ranks as the fifth most popular city for Thanksgiving travel and second most popular for New Year's.

  • Denver

    The fourth most popular city over the Christmas holiday, Denver attracts for its access to Colorado's best skiing areas. Denver also ranks as the seventh most popular city for Thanksgiving travel and tenth most popular for New Year's.

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  • Fort Lauderdale

    The fifth most popular Christmas destination is Fort Lauderdale, with sun, sand, and family-friendly winter fun. Fort Lauderdale is not a popular destination for Thanksgiving travel, but it rises again to become fifth most popular for New Year's.

  • San Francisco

    Pack a coat for winter in San Francisco, the holiday season's sixth most popular destination. SF also ranks as the eighth most popular city for Thanksgiving travel and ninth most popular for New Year's.

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  • Chicago

    Chicago only ranks seventh on Orbitz's list of most popular Christmas destinations, but perhaps that's because the city claims first place for Thanksgiving travel, when the Midwest likes to converge on Michigan Avenue and shop at the city's best and biggest stores.

  • New York City

    The Big Apple didn't top the list for any of the winter holidays, but New York City remains a favorite at any time of the year. NYC also ranks as the fourth most popular city for Thanksgiving travel and third most popular for New Year's.

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    Miami

    Americans definitely love to get a tan over Christmas, as Miami ranks as the ninth most popular holiday destination. Miami is not a popular city for Thanksgiving travel, but it rises again to seventh most popular for New Year's.

  • Phoenix

    It's off to the desert for Americans celebrating Christmas at the tenth most popular city: Phoenix. The city does not rank among the most popular cities for Thanksgiving or New Year's, and only around Christmas does it break the top ten.