What Irish Holidaymakers Are Looking for in the USA

What do Irish people want to do on a holiday to the USA? It’s a question we get asked all the time by tourist boards, but there’s no simple answer. Different visitors from Ireland have different interests, are at different stages of life and have different incomes, making the scope of activities very broad. However, the data collected by the U.S. International Trade Administration via their Survey of International Travelers (S.I.A.T.) gives us some useful, broad-brush insights into the most popular activities. This information can help destinations understand how to position themselves in the Irish market and what experiences to lead with in trade and consumer marketing. Here’s what they found...

The number one activity for Irish visitors to the USA is shopping. 78.5% of all those surveyed said they did some shopping during their holiday. While the current exchange rate is not the best (approx. $1.17 to €1.00 at the time of writing), it certainly isn’t the worst we’ve experienced, and feedback indicates that there is still great value to be had in the USA, especially at the outlets.

77.5% of visitors listed sightseeing as an activity they did during their time in the USA. This obviously covers a multitude of experiences, but is a testament to Irish visitors’ strong preference for actively exploring and gaining an understanding of the destination.

National parks / monuments came in at 40.4%. America’s 63 national parks are a huge draw for Irish visitors and offer a diverse range of outdoor experiences. These include the iconic Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion and Great Smoky Mountains, to name but a few.

In late 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior introduced confusing changes to entry fees for non-U.S. citizens at the National Parks and it will be interesting to see if Irish people continue to visit in the same high numbers in the coming years.

A huge percentage of Irish visitors to the USA will take in cultural and historical attractions, with art galleries / museums at 33.7% and historic locations at 27.5%. This year is a particularly good year for history buffs to visit the USA, with the nation marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. From Boston to Philadelphia and beyond, commemorative events are being held across the country to help people understand and interpret the history.

Getting beyond the gateway cities and exploring the “real” America is important for a lot of Irish visitors to the USA, with 23.8% of those surveyed listing small towns / countryside as something they experienced.

Guided tours are also popular with Irish visitors, with 22.8% doing one during their time in the USA.

Food is a huge part of any holiday experience, with 21% of Irish visitors to the USA listing fine dining as an activity they did there. The food offering in the USA has improved steadily over the last few decades, with the Michelin Guide and the growing profile of American food cities helping to elevate its appeal.

Almost one in five visitors went to amusement / theme parks (19.2%) during their time in the USA. Trips to Disney, Universal and other parks in Florida and California have almost become an essential rite of passage for Irish families, and it’s no surprise these rank so highly.

Irish visitors are not one-dimensional; they are motivated by a mix of retail, discovery, nature, culture, food and family experiences, which is why the USA continues to appeal across multiple traveler segments.