Sleep Tourism Is Surging – And These U.S. Cities Rank Best for Rest
Turns out, more of us are planning trips not around adventure or sightseeing…but around getting a good night’s sleep.
According to a new study from MattressNextDay, 94% of Americans are now seeking screen-free, stress-reducing getaways in 2025. And the trend has a name: sleep tourism. Instead of jam-packed itineraries, these vacations are all about high-quality rest, wellness activities, and hotel environments designed to help you switch off.
What Is Sleep Tourism?
This is blackout curtains instead of bar crawls, yoga studios over shopping malls, and long walks in nature replacing long lines at attractions. Globally, the wellness tourism sector is already worth more than $800 billion, and “rest-first” escapes are quickly becoming one of its fastest-growing categories.
“Research shows that consistent sleep schedules and a calm, distraction-free environment contribute significantly to a good night’s rest,” says Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay. Rest-first trips don’t just help travelers reset while they’re away; they can also inspire healthier habits at home.
So to pinpoint where in the U.S. travelers can find the most restful vacations, sleep experts analyzed factors like light pollution, hotel blackout curtains, city safety, traffic congestion, and access to green space. Each city received a score out of 100 based on these factors; the higher the score, the better it ranked for sleep-focused travel.
Here are the top 10 U.S. cities for a sleep-focused getaway in 2025, counting down to the most restful of them all.
10. Portland, Oregon – 57.43/100
Portland kicks off the list with its blend of green spaces, wellness culture, and sleep-friendly hotels. The city has 144 walking trails, plenty of yoga studios, and a reputation for healthy living that naturally feeds into restful travel. While traffic can be a drawback, Portland’s parks and focus on wellness make it a solid choice for those looking to recharge.
9. Tulsa, Oklahoma – 57.50/100
Tulsa may not be the first destination that springs to mind for wellness travel, but it earns its spot with quiet streets and a healthy number of hotels offering blackout curtains and soundproofing. Its smaller size works in its favor; congestion and noise are kept low, making it easier to truly unwind. Add in a slower pace of life, and Tulsa turns out to be an underrated city for catching up on rest.
8. San Diego, California – 57.60/100
San Diego proves that big-city vacations don’t have to be exhausting. With over 100 walking trails, 31 yoga studios, and year-round mild weather, it’s easy to plan a restorative trip. While congestion is higher than in smaller destinations, the coastal scenery, safety, and wellness options more than balance it out.
7. Albuquerque, New Mexico – 59.90/100
Albuquerque might be known for hot air balloons, but it also shines as a restful getaway. With low light pollution, 94 walking trails, and over 10 hours of sunshine per day, the city encourages outdoor activity followed by peaceful nights. Add in affordable hotels and low congestion, and it becomes a strong budget-friendly option for sleep tourism.
6. Denver, Colorado – 60.27/100
Denver is busier than its neighbor, Colorado Springs, but it still ranks high thanks to its mix of quality hotels, yoga studios, and mountain access. The city’s congestion score is a little higher than some others, but its abundance of outdoor activities and strong wellness scene offset that. For travelers who like the idea of balancing big-city amenities with restorative escapes in nature, Denver is an excellent pick. (This is a great Denver itinerary for first-time visitors.)
5. Omaha, Nebraska – 61.13/100
Omaha might fly under the radar, but it ranked especially well for low congestion. The city also offers a good mix of 4-star hotels with sleep-friendly amenities like blackout curtains and quiet rooms. Combine that with its accessible parks and low-key Midwestern charm, and Omaha becomes an unexpectedly solid choice for a restful trip.
4. El Paso, Texas – 62.69/100
El Paso scored high for both safety and low congestion, two key ingredients for stress-free travel. Its desert setting delivers plenty of sunshine, while quieter streets make it easy to sleep soundly. With more hotels investing in soundproofing, El Paso is quickly shaping up as a serious contender for rest-focused vacations.
3. Raleigh, North Carolina – 63.33/100
Raleigh strikes a balance between city energy and serenity. It ranked well for both safety and traffic congestion, plus it offers a notable percentage of hotels with blackout curtains and soundproofing. For those who want the amenities of a state capital but still crave calm evenings, Raleigh delivers better than most.
2. Tucson, Arizona – 69.62/100
Tucson brings desert quiet, blue skies, and an impressive number of 4-star hotels (20.1%). With more than 10 hours of daily sunshine and relatively low noise levels, it’s a natural fit for rest-first travel. While its safety score was slightly lower than some top cities, its strong mix of wellness-friendly hotels and walking trails keep it firmly near the top.
1. Colorado Springs, Colorado – 74.68/100
Colorado Springs takes the crown as the best U.S. city for sleep tourism. It boasts some of the lowest light pollution in the country (2.4 mcd/m²), making it a dream for stargazers and anyone sensitive to city glow. Add in 176 walking trails, high-quality hotels, and a naturally calming mountain setting, and Colorado Springs stands out as the ultimate destination for rest and rejuvenation.
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Wellness travels are a new trend and something worth checking!
This is a great idea
Really interesting – I had no idea sleep tourism was a big trend. Cool to see which cities actually rank best for it.
I definitely need a sleep vacation in my life!
I thought this was such an interesting blog post and as someone who really struggles to sleep at times, I’d love to be able to take a trip that could help me to feel more well-rested.
WOW! This is so helpful
i could’ve seen myself being a “sleep tourist” when I worked night shifts for sure!