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Beloved ’80s Vacation Spots That Remain Timeless Favorites

Beloved ’80s Vacation Spots That Remain Timeless Favorites

The travel industry was drastically changing during the 1980s, especially compared to the 70s. Holiday destinations that had been popular previously (such as Cuba and Iran) were no longer on the map, and that left room for new favorites. Here are 15 U.S. vacation hotspots from the 1980s that certainly deserved their ongoing popularity!

Australia

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‘Down Under’ was a popular hit, released in 1980 that inspired many people to visit Australia. The movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’ also came out during this decade, which led to many Americans heading here. Sydney was a hotspot, especially during the late 1980s thanks to its great atmosphere and superb beaches.

The United Kingdom

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Everyone was watching London in the 80s thanks to Prince Charles and Diana and the ‘Wedding of the Century’. As such it’s no surprise to hear that over two million American citizens visited Great Britain in 1983. This was also down to the successful ‘Come to Britain’ campaign and the strength of the US dollar against the British pound.

Tennessee

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Tennessee was a popular spot in the 1980s, especially for music lovers. During this decade, two huge attractions opened in this state; Dollywood (Pigeon Forge) and Graceland (Memphis). Dollywood is a popular theme park, part-owned by Dolly Parton while Graceland celebrates the life of Elvis Presley.

Japan

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During the 80s, Japan became a very successful country, despite its economic struggles toward the end of the decade. The country’s capital, Tokyo was especially popular, with American citizens keen to sample its delicious cuisine, view cultural attractions, and visit Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983.

Thailand

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Thailand was a popular vacation hotspot for U.S. citizens, with Bangkok, the country’s capital having a lot to offer. Thanks to the country’s ‘Visit Thailand Year 1987’ marketing success, tourism in Thailand was forever changed, with everyone wanting to experience this new exotic destination.

The Caribbean

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Travel to Haiti was still popular at the start of the 1980s but tourism then started to dip. This was partly due to American health organizations linking the country to the AIDS epidemic. Due to this, other destinations in the Caribbean became popular such as Antigua.

Los Angeles, California

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Although Los Angeles had its issues in the 1980s, Rodeo Drive was really starting to become a place of interest. First of all, Giorgio Beverly Hills fragrance opened in 1981. Then in 1983, the Rodeo Collection shopping complex came about, making this area of LA an excellent shopping destination. In this decade, the movie ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ with Eddie Murphy also came to our screens!

Atlanta, Georgia

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The city of Atlanta was known for its bustling nightlife. It had an epic club scene in the 1980s, but another attraction sparked interest during this decade – The Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District. This area was designated a historic site in 1980 and contained several key buildings linked to Martin Luther King Jr. himself, such as his childhood home and church.

India

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As international travel became more popular in the 1980s, Exotic destinations like India were put on the map. In 1980, around 78,000 American citizens traveled to India. By 1989, this number had jumped to 134,000. Tourism spiked again after 1992, perhaps due to the iconic Princess Diana photograph!

American National Parks

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During the 1980s, road-tripping as a family through the United States became especially popular. Many families wanted to tick off iconic natural wonders, with Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Yosemite all being popular destinations. Back then, you’d need to focus on a paper map rather than a sat nav!

Ibiza, Spain

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As Europe became more accessible to Americans, people started turning their eye towards Spain. Ibiza was a vacation hotspot during the 1980s thanks to its club-culture tourism. Visiting the Privilege Ibiza was a highlight as it was the world’s largest nightclub at the time.

Acapulco, Mexico

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Acapulco is a charming resort town located along the Pacific Coast. In the early 1980s, it was a popular holiday destination, thanks to its new luxury resorts. However, in the late 80s, Cancun became strong competition, especially due to the drug cartel fighting that was taking place in Acapulco.

Orlando, Florida

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Orlando became popular in the 70s thanks to the opening of Walt Disney World Resort. However, tourism only increased in the 1980s, thanks to the introduction of two new parks; Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Six resorts had also been put in place so tourism was thriving!

New York, New York State

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Although New York was popular in the ’70s, the 1980s offered a ‘wilder time’. Despite high crime rates and the ‘crack epidemic’, many people viewed New York as the place to be for a good party. The nightlife was booming in NY, as nightclubs hosted popular artists such as Madonna and Grace Jones.

Cruising

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Although not a vacation hotspot per se, cruising became very popular in the 1980s. This was partly due to the iconic TV show ‘Love Boat’ which came out in 1977. There were some fantastic cruises departing from the port of Miami, with destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.

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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.