6 Exciting Options for Group Travel Destinations

As the years go by, more and more Americans are favoring group travel over solo adventures.¹ And this makes sense—group travel gives us the opportunity to share the experience of discovering exciting new places and learning about different cultures.

But as a business travel planner or group leader, you may find it challenging to find destinations that your whole team can enjoy. Fortunately, we’re here to help.

From outdoor adventures to beautiful beach excursions, this guide explores a variety of crowd-pleasing options for group hotel bookings you can try out with your squad.  

Tailoring your group trip

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to plan the perfect group trip. You must consider the personal preferences of the individuals you’re traveling with, their abilities, and more to settle on a destination that suits everybody. To gain insight into where your crew will be the happiest:

• Identify their interests – Are you traveling with extreme sports lovers, beach bums, or culture enthusiasts? To get a sense of everyone’s preferred activities—especially if you’re traveling in a large, unfamiliar group—circulate an anonymous survey asking what they’d like to do on their upcoming trip. Then, you can work from there to plan destinations and outings. 

• Set a budget – You may be used to exploring the world on a shoestring budget or going all out to get the most out of your destinations. However, others in your group may have different ideas about reasonable spending when setting a budget. To find a middle ground, ask everyone to agree to a maximum per-person expenditure. Then, work from that limit to discover what kinds of trips are within your budget.

• Take group size and dynamics into account – Often, travel groups comprise a mix of different ages, abilities, and preferences. You may have families with young children, older adults with limited mobility, and fit, younger people who love adventuring and exploring. Ensure whichever destination you land on has ample activities and amenities to suit everyone in your crew.

Inspiration by travel style

From the rugged mountains of Alaska to the pristine beaches of Hawaii and the living history of the East Coast, there’s no shortage of diversity in American travel destinations. You just have to decide if you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion—or a combination of all three! 

Adventure seekers

For those bungee-jumping buffs, climbing connoisseurs, and general adrenaline addicts amongst us, the United States offers some of the most challenging (and rewarding) travel destinations worldwide. If you’re planning the ultimate adventure vacation for your crew, head to:

• Yellowstone National Park – Situated on the borders of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone is the spot to discover untamed terrain and unspoiled natural beauty. Hiking will get you an up-close look at the foliage and wildlife but, depending on the season, you can also enjoy a variety of action sports. In the colder months, rent a snowmobile or snowshoe down paths to explore new corners of this winter wonderland. Or, if you’re looking for a summer getaway, ride bikes or horses through the wilderness to discover more of the park’s nearly 1,000 miles of accessible trails.²

• Denali, Alaska – Denali is the tallest mountain in North America and amongst the mightiest on the planet. Hiking its peak is a taxing mission for even the most experienced of mountaineers—but there’s plenty more to enjoy in the surrounding forests and wetlands. If your crew is set to get wet, consider rafting the Nenana River. Or, if you want to see Alaska’s indescribable beauty from above, book a helicopter or ziplining tour of the mountain. For a truly unique and unforgettable adventure, try dog-sledding in the nearby valleys (available year-round).³

Relaxation and rejuvenation

If you’re traveling with a group that wants nothing more than to loosen their ties, kick off their shoes, and relax, there are many American destinations you can choose from. For maximum relaxation and rejuvenation, consider:

• Maui, Hawaii – There’s a reason that other tropical destinations are often called The Hawaii of X country: the state’s weather, beaches, and laid-back lifestyle are legendary. Maui in particular is the perfect place in Hawaii for group trips. Your crew can soak up some sun on the beach, snorkel, get a round in on any of the 14 highly acclaimed golf courses, or tour a pineapple farm while feasting on fresh-from-the-ground samples of the iconic tropical fruit. Take a peek at some of our group reservation options in Maui.⁴

• Big Bear Lake, California – Travel just a few hours inland from California’s golden coast, and you’ll find Big Bear, one of the most fun and picturesque man-made lakes in the nation. Aside from resting on its sunny shores, your squad can enjoy old-timey paddle boat tours, fish for their next meal, or walk through the surrounding greenery. For the wellness-oriented, there are also pilates and yoga workshops.⁵

Cultural immersion

Vacationers often look abroad to discover new cultures, learn about history, and have unfamiliar experiences. But you don’t need to leave the United States to find fascinating places with unique cultural heritages. 

Instead, try going to:

• Charleston, South Carolina – Dating all the way back to 1670 (over 100 years before the US itself), Charleston is a gem among American cities and is absolutely teeming with cultural history. Explore centuries-old plantations, buildings dating back to the Civil War, and ancient churches. Then, head to one of the city’s world-class eateries for a taste of Southern classics like barbecue and shrimp and grits.⁶

• Washington, District of Columbia – Despite its relatively small size, DC is perhaps the most important and influential city on Earth. As the seat of government in the US, there are plenty of political landmarks to tour, including The Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, and The White House. There are also many free museums to take advantage of—including the legendary Smithsonian and National Archives Museum. After you’ve had your fill of walking, hop on a double-decker bus tour to see the city from above and learn more about the capital’s hidden history.⁷

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Planning your group trip

Planning group trips is no walk in the park—even if you’re literally planning a walk through a national park. The process takes time, research, and commitment. To make it easier, consider:

• Arranging transportation early – Airfare can see a 56% jump between its lowest and highest prices. Fortunately, if you reserve seats 21 to 74 days before takeoff, you can get the best deal.⁸ Railway tickets don’t experience such drastic fluctuations, so you can buy them whenever other details are settled. If you plan on taking personal vehicles, arrange carpools to save on gas and split up driving duties.

• Opting for hotels, rather than vacation rentals – Short-term vacation rentals may seem like a logical choice for large groups, but sharing a living space can lead to frustration among your group members. Plus, such properties are now more expensive than hotels over 75% of the time.⁹ Instead, consult hotels in your destination to see what discounts they can offer for group bookings—multiple rooms may end up being more cost-effective than you originally thought.

• Balancing planned activities with free time – Book group activities ahead of time with everyone’s approval, but remember to leave ample opportunities for personal leisure and self-guided exploration. This ensures everyone can enjoy activities they feel most excited about, even if the rest of the group isn’t interested.

Additional resources for group travel planning

Planning a trip for a large group can be daunting, but Engine offers a suite of features to simplify the process and keep everything organized:

• Shared Itineraries – With Engine, you can create and share detailed itineraries with your group. Everyone can see the schedule, suggest activities, and stay updated in real-time.
• Simplified Payments – As the group leader, managing payments for hotels, activities, and tickets can be challenging. Engine’s consolidated billing feature makes this easy, allowing you to handle all expenses through a single platform, with group members able to reimburse you quickly and easily.
• Comprehensive Reporting Dashboard – Keep track of all your team’s expenses with Engine’s reporting dashboard for travel managers. This feature provides detailed insights into your spending, helping you stay within budget and manage finances efficiently.
• Seamless Reservations – Booking multiple hotel rooms for non-profit events, your sales team, or even a sports team is a breeze with Engine. Our platform simplifies the reservation process, saving you time and money.

Engine can simplify your group reservations and save you money

The next time you’re planning a trip for your crew, sports team, non-profit, or corporate team, be sure to consult this guide to make the most of everyone’s collective experience. And, to make booking multiple hotel rooms a breeze, rely on Engine.

Engine works around the clock to help you find the best deals on group lodgings that align with your preferences and needs. In fact, you can reach our member support team 24/7, 365 to compare properties side-by-side, access expertly negotiated rates, manage your travel details, and more.

Save up to 60% on your next group travel booking by partnering with Engine today.

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Sources: 

1. Statista. People who prefer to travel as a group, by generation US 2017. https://www.statista.com/
2. United States National Park Service. Things To Do - Yellowstone National Park. https://www.nps.gov/
3. Alaska Channel. The 7 Best Things to Do in Denali National Park, Alaska. https://www.alaska.org/
4. United States News Travel. 25 Best Things to Do in Maui (2024). https://travel.usnews.com/
5. Visit California. The Best Things to Do in Big Bear Lake, CA. https://www.bigbear.com/things-to-do/?page=1
6. Discover South Carolina. From Founding to Present Day, Charleston is all About Heritage. https://discoversouthcarolina.com/
7. Washington, DC. Discover the Best Things to Do in Washington, DC. https://washington.org/things-do-washington-dc
8. Investopedia. What Is the Cheapest Time to Book a Flight?.  https://www.investopedia.com/
9. Travel and Leisure. Hotels Are Now Cheaper Than Airbnbs, New Research Finds. https://www.travelandleisure.com/
10. Pew Research Center. Payment app users say they make paying easier, but security a concern for some. https://www.pewresearch.org/