The WalletHub study aimed to pinpoint the overall cheapest spots that are also the easiest to reach. Also factored into the rankings: the number of restaurants, amusement parks, spas, coffee shops, bike-rental facilities, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, bike-rental facilities and food festivals.
No. 9 — Las Vegas
In this Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 file photo, a man takes pictures of Caesars Palace hotel and casino, in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/John Locher, File)
AP Photo/John Locher, File
No. 8. Oklahoma City
Sailboats return to the harbor as the sun sets at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016.
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
No. 7 — Dallas
Karla Gallegos is lifted as she practices acro yoga with friends in downtown Dallas, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. Spring like weather has moved into Texas making being outdoors during winter enjoyable.
(AP Photo/LM Otero)
AP Photo/LM Otero
No. 6 — Cincinnati
Children play in an illuminated fountain at Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, Monday, June 22, 2015. The park is part of a five-phase revitalization of the Ohio riverfront as the downtown area undergoes a resurgence with investors and businesses moving into once vacant lots and buildings.
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
AP Photo/John Minchillo
No. 5 — Atlanta
The midtown skyline stands in the background as a pedestrian looks out over a pond Monday, July 18, 2016, in Atlanta. Temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees in the metro area Monday with highs in the mid to upper 90s for the next week.
(AP Photo/David Goldman)
AP Photo/David Goldman
No. 4. — Chicago
Johnny Perez suns himself in springlike temperatures along Lake Michigan at the North Ave., beach Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
No. 3 — Austin
Ballet Folklorico dancers from Rio Grande City perform in the Rotunda of the Texas State Capitol, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in Austin, Texas.
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
AP Photo/Eric Gay
No. 2 — Orlando
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
No. 1 — D.C.
Rowers skim along the Potomac River as the sun rises over the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, May 2, 2018. The temperature in the Nation’s Capitol is expected to reach into the upper 80s Wednesday as spring begins to give way to summer.
(AP Photo/J. David Ake)
WASHINGTON — The D.C. area has been named the No. 1 summer destination, based on travel costs, hotel and restaurant prices, and the number of attractions and activities on offer for visitors.
The WalletHub study analyzed the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. across a number of factors, including the cost, length and number of connections on the cheapest flights to the city, the lowest nightly rate for a three-star hotel room, the average price of a two-person meal and the weather.
Also factored into the rankings: the number of per capita restaurants, amusement parks, spas, coffee shops, bike-rental facilities, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, bike-rental facilities and food festivals
The goal was to pinpoint the overall cheapest spots that are also the easiest to reach, according to WalletHub.
The D.C. metro area — which includes the District, Northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs — edged out Orlando, Austin, Chicago and Atlanta to take the top spot on the best-bang-for-your-buck study.
The D.C. area is one of the more expensive on the list — it ranks 84 out of 100 on local costs — but the WalletHub study says the area is easy to get to, features a ton of activities and is relatively safe.
D.C. ranks in the top 10 for low travel costs and hassles, number of attractions, and safety, according to the study.
Los Angeles, which was ranked No. 12 overall, was listed as having the most attractions. New York, which was ranked No. 11 overall, came in at No. 1 for featuring the most activities. Honolulu, which was ranked 80th overall, was listed as having the best weather.
The Richmond, Virginia, area ranked No. 16 overall. Baltimore ranked No. 37. See a map of the 100 largest metro areas and how they ranked below:
Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.
