Airbnb recently released its 2026 travel trends predictions, forecasting what kinds of trips people will prioritize this year — and we’re sharing how you can do it from Lakeland.

We’ve paired each prediction with travel recommendations that are easy to get to from Swan City + some pro tips. We ended things with our pitch for traveling to Lakeland; feel free to share with your cross-country friends who never visit.

Quick trips

The predicted trend: Quick, 1-2 day trips to “vibrant cities filled with music, dance, historic sites, and authentic cuisine”

Our recommendation: San Juan, PR. Fly out of Lakeland International Airport on a Wednesday and return on a Saturday when you need a lightning-fast getaway to a beach destination.

The Everglades are gorgeous any time of day. | Photo by Charles Patrick Ewing

Touching grass

The predicted trend: National Park travel

Our recommendation: Everglades National Park. Reconnect with nature by exploring 2 million acres of swampland on foot or by airboat. It's just over a 3-hour drive from Lakeland.

Tourism travel

The predicted trend: Trips coinciding with major cultural, sporting, and music events like the FIFA World Cup + Coachella

Our recommendation: Miami, FL. This bustling metro will serve as a host city for the FIFA World Cup this summer. It will be the place for nightlife and international culture, even if you didn't score tickets.

This patio is perfect for eating a slice of Key lime pie for breakfast. | Photo via Vrbo

Passport vs. pals

The predicted trend: Solo travel heats up, with solo voyagers “uncovering the next wave of up-and-coming hotspots.”

Our recommendation: Key West, FL. Airbnb says this will be one of the year's hottest solo travel destinations, thanks to its outdoor adventures + fresh food served seaside. It's one of Editor Connor's favorite places to visit — you might even make new friends on a Conch Train tour.

Bonnet Springs Park offers a public space that brings out the best of downtown while showcasing Lakeland’s natural beauty. | Photo provided by Bonnet Springs Park

Add LAL to your itinerary

Consider this our pitch for why Lakeland should be on everyone’s travel wishlist:

If you want a “vibrant city,” you’ve found one in Swan City. From historic architecture to exciting places to stay, there’s plenty here for a quick trip.
Outdoorsy travelers will find plenty to explore here, from America's top-rated park to the expansive Circle B Bar Reserve.
Lakeland is home to the high-flying SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo — Florida's most popular convention of any kind.
If your guest is traveling solo, Lakeland's cozy rental homes will make them feel right at home during their stay.