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These American cities attract tourists from around the world, but Canadians are increasingly giving them a pass. Here’s why some U.S. favourites aren’t winning Canadian travellers.

Most Americans cross state lines without wondering whether something they have done their entire lives just became illegal.But every so often, one state has looked at something accepted everywhere else—and decided it stops at the border.

Ashtabula sits directly on Lake Erie in northeastern Ohio, roughly an hour from Cleveland and close to the Pennsylvania line. A 2025 GOBankingRates study ranked it the most affordable Midwestern lake town, based on housing, income, and estimated living costs. The city also has a working harbor and a long connection to the Ashtabula River, whose name is associated with the idea of a “river of many fish.” For travelers who want Great Lakes scenery without starting in a famous resort community, Ashtabula makes an appealing first stop.

I picked a hotel outside the city center because the nightly rate looked much lower. That choice seemed sensible because the room immediately reduced the accommodation portion of my budget. The problem appeared when nearly every activity required another bus, train, taxi, or rideshare. Suddenly, the hotel price was only part of the story.

I spent weeks helping plan a vacation that looked balanced and exciting. Once we arrived, one friend kept suggesting completely different activities with almost no notice. By the end of the trip, I realized we had skipped many of the experiences I had been looking forward to.

Travel habits often reflect geography, culture, and history as much as personal preference. North Americans, especially travelers from the United States and Canada, have developed vacation traditions that feel perfectly ordinary at home but often surprise visitors from other parts of the world. Here are some of the most recognizable vacation habits that tend to stand out abroad.

When my friend suggested a luxury vacation, I pictured a nice hotel, a few fancy dinners, and maybe one memorable splurge. I agreed without asking enough questions because I assumed we had similar travel styles. That assumption fell apart the moment she sent me the itinerary.

When my coworker invited me on a weeklong group vacation, I pictured shared meals, easy conversations, and the chance to make new friends. I knew only one person, but I assumed everyone would be welcoming. It seemed like the perfect way to step outside my comfort zone while exploring somewhere new.

Planning a group vacation with friends often sounds simple until money enters the conversation. Everyone wants a relaxing getaway, but even small financial disagreements can create lingering resentment. One of the most common issues involves deciding how to divide the cost of a vacation rental when the bedrooms are not equal. Travel experts say these conversations are easiest when they happen before anyone books the property.

Group trips are supposed to create great memories, but money problems can turn a fun vacation into a lasting argument. When one traveler repeatedly skips activities that were booked and paid for on his behalf, everyone else may wonder whether friendship requires them to absorb the cost. The fairest answer usually depends on what he agreed to, why he skipped, and whether anyone could recover the money.