Furloughed federal employees can avail of a series of specials and discounts during the government shutdown in Washington DC. (A valid ID is required.) Be sure to check local restaurants and bars for other offers. For now, here are some notables:
- Kreeger Museum: free entrance (pictured, main link)
- Spy Museum: half-price entry
- National Museum of Women in the Arts: free entrance
- Compass Coffee: free pastry w/ any drinks order
- Daily Provision: 50% off food and drinks
- Paisano's: 30% off pizzas w/ promo code "TOGETHER"
- Union Pub: $3 beers and $7 beer-and-hotdog combos
Book today and set sail next month at a $20 low. This roundtrip cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade departs from San Diego, CA on October 26 and includes stops in Cabo san Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Book this travel deal by September 30.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at ShermansTravel
Use promo code "MOVIE26" to get this price — it's a $30 savings, and $8 less than you'd pay for two tickets, one drink, and one popcorn elsewhere. Note that premium formats, including IMAX, may incur additional fees. California, New York, and New Jersey are excluded. Buy Now at Giftory
Pre-order this pass for 2026 and 2027 travel and get a complimentary 25/26 Annual Pass, granting you unlimited flights to Frontier's domestic and international destinations through April 30, 2027.
Domestic flights must be booked the day before departure, and international destinations no further out than 10 days before departure - perfect for those spur-of-the-moment getaways. Blackout dates and some restrictions apply. Unless cancelled, this pass automatically renews for $699.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at Frontier Airlines
Pay around half price for admission to over 30 amusement parks nationwide. Even better, this offer includes some parks operated by Six Flags, such as Cedar Point and Carowinds.
Note that the deals you'll see are based on your location, so if you're planning on visiting a park in a different area of the country, you can check for discounts by changing your location in the search bar at the top of the page. Book this travel deal by September 18.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Shop Now at Groupon
This short weekender cruise is $344 off and perfect for first-timers. Departing from Miami, FL on December 19 and features stops in Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. Book this travel deal by September 15.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at ShermansTravel
This unique cruise departs from Southampton (London), England, on July 24, 2027, and in addition to stops in Barcelona, Seville, and Porto, takes in the path of totality during the total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027. Book this travel deal by September 30.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at Princess Cruises
You can get a gold pass for $5.99 (until September 2) which grants access to over 40 parks. It's been deemed the lowest price of the year so far and includes free parking and a ticket for bringing a guest. Buy Now at Six Flags
Use coupon code "CELEBR8" to get the extra discount on many of Groupon's Labor Day deals — the eligible deals will be marked with the coupon. That means extra savings on getaways, days out, waterparks, and more. Shop Now at Groupon
Spend a week exploring the boot and save $900 per traveler whilst enjoying historic Rome and the beautiful island of Sicily on this vacation bundle. Book this travel deal by August 31.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at Orbis
- roundtrip international airfare
- 2 night hotel stay in Rome
- 2 night hotel stay in Catania
- 2 night hotel stay in Palermo
- 1 night hotel stay in Rome before departure flight
- flights and transfers between cities
Pay around half price for admission to over 30 amusement parks nationwide. Even better, this offer includes some parks operated by Six Flags, such as Cedar Point and Carowinds.
Note that the deals you'll see are based on your location, so if you're planning on visiting a park in a different area of the country, you can check for discounts by changing your location in the search bar at the top of the page. Book this travel deal by August 30.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Shop Now at Groupon
Extended one more day, book a stay with Great Wolf Lodge between now and December 18, 2025 and get suites starting at $84. The offer and pricing may vary by location, so be sure to check pricing before checking out. Some exclusions may apply. Buy Now at Great Wolf Lodge
Spend Christmas among the Hawaiian Islands on this holiday sailing. This roundtrip cruise aboard the Ruby Princess departs from San Francisco, CA on December 17 and features stops in Kauai, Honolulu, Kona, and more. Book this travel deal by August 31 and start practicing saying Mele Kelikimaka.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at Princess Cruises
Set sail from Miami, FL aboard the Zuiderdam and one child - 17 or under - sails for free with each paid guest in your cabin. This roundtrip cruise includes stops in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. Book this travel deal by August 31.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at Holland America Line
Family vacations start from $31 per night in this Groupon sale, with discounts of up to 76% off. Destinations include Miami Beach, Disneyland Anaheim, and Great Wolf Lodges in several locations. Note that many locations have daily resort fees which aren't included in these prices. Buy Now at Groupon
Ending today, apply promo code "KIDSFUN" on activities for the whole family and get an extra 30% off. We found extra discounts on amusement parks, aquariums, putt-putt, roller skating, and more. Shop Now at Groupon
Every 7 days, take an extra 7% off rack rates on 7 select rooms and suites. Currently, deals include all-inclusive stays at Sandals Montego Bay (pictured), Sandals Royal Bahamian, Sandals Granada, and Sandals Dunn's River. Book this travel deal by August 5.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Buy Now at Sandals Resorts
Pay around half price for admission to over 30 amusement parks nationwide. Even better, this offer includes some parks operated by Six Flags, such as Cedar Point and Carowinds.
Note that the deals you'll see are based on your location, so if you're planning on visiting a park in a different area of the country, you can check for discounts by changing your location in the search bar at the top of the page. Book this travel deal by August 30.
Satisfy your wanderlust - and your wallet - by taking a look at all our top travel deals. Shop Now at Groupon
For Martin Luther King Day, you can visit a National Park for free today (among a few others across the year, as listed). Shop Now at National Park Service
2025 Global Travel Trends: A Summary
Shifting Traveler Priorities: Experiences, Authenticity, and Family
Travel in 2025 is being shaped by a blend of passion and practicality, with travelers seeking more meaningful and experience-driven trips. A major trend is the shift away from simple sightseeing and toward "event travel," where vacations are planned around concerts, sporting events, or festivals. There is also a strong desire for authentic, local connections, demonstrated by travelers seeking unique, handmade souvenirs instead of generic mementos. Multi-generational "fam adventures" are on the rise, with extended families traveling together and children having a greater influence on trip planning.
Booking with Confidence in 2025
Ultimately, the modern traveler is more informed than ever, using powerful online tools to find the best value. Platforms like Expedia are essential for comparing options, bundling flights and hotels for savings, and booking the memorable trips that define 2025.
Smart and Savvy Travel Planning
While overall travel costs are rising, travelers are becoming more strategic with their spending. They are increasingly savvy about using loyalty points and program benefits to add value, secure upgrades, or offset costs for trips they are passionate about. Technology plays a crucial role, especially for younger generations who rely on travel apps and social media for everything from inspiration and activity recommendations to budgeting and booking.
Broader Forces Shaping Travel Decisions
Broader industry forces are also influencing travel decisions. The growing awareness of overtourism is leading many to explore "destination dupes"—less-crowded alternatives to popular hotspots—or to travel during the shoulder seasons. Climate change is another significant factor, creating a trend toward "coolcations" in northern climates to escape summer heat and extending the traditional travel season into the warmer spring and fall months.