Is Throwback Thursday still a thing? It’s certainly nostalgic, and that’s what travelers are seeking – nostalgic experiences. Whether it’s time travel to a cultural moment or reliving a favorite family memory, “The Nostalgic Effect” is one of Hilton’s 2025 trends that hasn’t been tapped enough yet—but these destinations are changing that.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore’s history has been shaping America for centuries. It’s home to memorable moments like the writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Fort Henry and the establishment of the commercial railroad. And legendary characters like Edgar Allan Poe and Frederick Douglass once walked its streets. Innovation is built into the very fabric of Baltimore—in fact, Charm City’s nearly 300-year-history is dotted with significant achievements and first-ever landmarks, from the big ones, like the writing of the national anthem, to more humble claims-to-fame, like the invention of the snowball (which brings fond recollections of childhood snowball fights for many).
- Babe Ruth Birthplace: Located two blocks from Camden Yards, Babe Ruth’s Birthplace features rare Ruthian artifacts and the new “Champions” exhibit showcasing the 1983 World Series and Super Bowl V trophies along with artifacts from other championship athletes or teams.
- The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House: At the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House in Jonestown, step into the home where Mary Pickersgill, her mother and her daughter sewed the garrison flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Visitors can experience what it was like to cook in a replica of Pickersgill’s kitchen and learn about life in 1812.
- National Great Blacks in Wax Museum: Culture and history abound with the help of more than 150 life-sized, life-like wax figures at the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum. It’s one of the only wax museums in the nation dedicated to the preservation of African American history.
Barbados
Beaches are synonymous with childhood vacations, and in Barbados, retro isn’t a trend — it’s a way of life. This coral island is full of timeless experiences that evoke simpler days: open-air dances, nature hikes, family cookouts, and cultural festivals that bring generations together. Travelers can unplug and reconnect with the island’s real luxury: its heritage, history and heartfelt joy.
- The Crane Resort – One of the Caribbean’s oldest hotels features wraparound verandas and postcard views just steps from iconic pink sands.
- Mount Gay Rum – It might not be nostalgic for most people (sipping rum as kids?) but adults today can taste the world’s oldest rum and hear stories that go back to the 1700s.
- Atlantis Submarine Adventure – Dive below the surface for a shipwreck-studded, explorer-style thrill that makes visitors feel like kids on some great treasure hunt.
- We Gatherin’ 2025 – This year long, island-wide celebration with heritage pop-ups, storytelling walls, and parish-by-parish cultural themes is a worldwide call home to Barbadians.
- Crop Over Festival (July–Aug) – Barbados’ sweetest season features street fairs, calypso, and the colorful Grand Kadooment parade. It’s a version of Carnaval as only Barbados could do it.
- Run Barbados (Dec 5–7) – Remember when running around as kids was fun? This scenic race through Bridgetown and along the coast brings back that energy—nostalgia in motion!
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Nothing sounds more nostalgic than the Chattanooga Choo Choo, made famous by big band leader Glenn Miller and his orchestra in the 1940s. While the train no longer stops at this historic depot, visitors can still embark on a static journey at The Hotel Chalet (formerly the Choo Choo Hotel). The hotel offers 25 meticulously restored Pullman train cars that now double as freestanding hotel suites just behind the depot’s grand entryway, which also houses restaurants and upscale watering holes.
- All aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad, where visitors can ride the rails on restored vintage trains admiring the Scenic City’s scenery along the way.
- Experience childlike wonder by strolling across one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world along the Walnut Street Bridge, completed in 1890. The bridge stretches across the Tennessee River and connects downtown with the North Shore neighborhood – a bustling district with shops and restaurants that sits along the river’s bank.
- For more than 90 years, Rock City has been attracting visitors from near and far. “See Rock City” was an anthem painted on barns from Michigan to Texas as a way of advertising the attraction – a precursor to the modern-day billboard. Today, Rock City attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year who return to revisit their childhood and share the experience with their children and grandchildren, such as the popular Fairyland Caverns, Mother Good Village and annual Enchanted Garden of Lights taking place during the holiday season.
Chile
In Chilean cities like Santiago and Valparaíso, travelers can explore routes that reflect the nation’s history of political change and social movements. For Chileans and those in the diaspora, the land holds significant emotional value, evoking memories of childhood summers in coastal towns, tales from grandparents about the Andes, and flavors passed down through generations. From the timeless Atacama Desert to the German-influenced southern regions, Chile invites travelers to reconnect with their roots, identity, culture, and shared memories.
- Valparaíso: Explore this UNESCO-listed port city renowned for its colorful houses, steep hills, and street art. This city attracts bohemian and artistic travelers with its unique architecture and narrow streets studded with urban art. The port, featuring scenic elevators and is lined with numerous bars and restaurants, invites visitors to discover its historically rich mazes. Additionally, travelers interested in history and culture can visit Pablo Neruda’s house, La Sebastiana, and the National Maritime Museum, both of which contribute to the city’s unique blend of history and creativity.
- Santiago: Explore the historic neighborhoods, museums, and the iconic Plaza de Armas in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Visitors can dip into museums including the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Natural History Museum. Neighborhoods like Bellavista and Lastarria offer a variety of restaurants, bars, unique shops, and markets.
- Easter Island (Rapa Nui): This remote island is home to ancient moai statues and rich Polynesian heritage. No other inhabited area in the world is as isolated as the distant Rapa Nui, making it truly unique, nestled in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Explore Rapa Nui’s archaeological finds, volcanoes, grasslands, and more than 1,000 moai—silent witnesses to a complex society.
- Chilean Wine Valleys: Tour the historic vineyards that produce world-renowned wines, reflecting the country’s rich agricultural heritage.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
Cincinnati is a modern-day metropolis that embraces its past. The Ohio River, which divides this Midwestern city with Northern Kentucky, is literally where the north meets the south. This October, America’s River Roots Festival will kick off the nation’s 250th birthday with steamships from key U.S. cities gathering along the Ohio River October 8-12. Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are rife with experiences to take travelers back in time where they can experience a slice of Americana.
- American Sign Museum is a premier nostalgia destination, featuring a vast collection of historic American signage from 1870 to 1970. Visitors are surrounded by neon, gold leaf, hand-carved, and electric signs, creating a vibrant, retro atmosphere reminiscent of mid-century America. The museum is celebrated as a “retro neon paradise” and a “nostalgia trip for Boomers” and younger generations alike, offering guided tours, neon demonstrations, and a gift shop filled with vintage-inspired memorabilia.
- Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge, located in Over-the-Rhine, is a Black-owned lounge that draws inspiration from Cincinnati’s rich musical history and legendary gathering spots like the West End’s Cotton Club. The lounge features live jazz and soul music, classic cocktails and a wine list highlighting minority and women winemakers. The ambiance and programming are designed to evoke the elegance and excitement of jazz clubs from the past, making it a hotspot for those seeking a nostalgic night out.
- Set Jetting is a big thing in the region, and Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have served as the backdrop for several productions, and fans often retrace scenes from films like “Rain Man,” “Carol” and “The Public.” Of course, WKRP is most attributable to Cincinnati. Walking tours and self-guided itineraries allow visitors to step into the cinematic past, experiencing the city as seen on screen.
- Historic Neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and Camp Washington are filled with preserved architecture and vintage storefronts, offering a stroll through Cincinnati’s past. And venues such as the Esquire Theatre and the Taft Theatre showcase historic interiors and often host retro film nights or classic performances.
- Sugar n’ Spice is a beloved Cincinnati diner that has been serving its famous wispy thin pancakes, fluffy omelettes and creative sandwiches since 1941. With its playful atmosphere, rubber ducks and retro décor, Sugar n’ Spice is a family-friendly spot that has delighted generations and remains a nostalgic breakfast and lunch tradition for locals and visitors alike.
- Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor is tucked inside Union Terminal, a whimsical, tile-lined space originally opened as a tea room in 1933. Today, it serves Graeter’s Ice Cream in a setting adorned with original Rookwood Pottery tiles, offering a sweet taste of Cincinnati’s past and a true Art Deco experience.
- Vent Haven Museum is located just south of Cincinnati in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. Vent Haven is the world’s only museum dedicated to ventriloquism—talk about old school! Its collection includes more than 1,000 ventriloquist figures and memorabilia, making it a quirky, one-of-a-kind destination for those fascinated by vintage entertainment and Americana.
- The Standard restaurant in Covington, Kentucky, is housed in a restored old filling station. Its retro-inspired design and creative menu pay homage to classic Americana, making it a fun and nostalgic dining experience just across the river from downtown Cincinnati.
- Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, is a picturesque river town renowned for its commitment to preserving history and tradition. The town’s centrepiece is the Rabbit Hash General Store, a community hub surrounded by historic cabins, a barn, and craft shops. The entire town is like stepping back in time, offering visitors a living snapshot of rural Americana and small-town charm.
Greater Louisville, Kentucky/Indiana
The city has been home to a number of men and women who changed the face of American history. President Zachary Taylor was reared in surrounding Jefferson County, and two U.S. Supreme Court Justices, including Louis D. Brandeis, the first Jewish Justice, were from the city proper. John James Audubon was a local shopkeeper in the early years of his career, drawing birds in his spare time. Second Lt. F. Scott Fitzgerald, stationed at Camp Zachary Taylor during World War I, was a frequent presence at the bar in the famous Seelbach Hotel, immortalized in the novel The Great Gatsby. Muhammad Ali, perhaps the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, was born in Louisville and won six Golden Glove tournaments in Kentucky.
- Belle of Louisville Riverboats: Take a step back in time and explore the water the historic way aboard the Belle of Louisville, the last remaining authentic Mississippi River-style steamboat left in the world! Or see the River City aboard the Belle’s sister vessel, the Mary M. Miller.