For decades, crossing the U.S. border to attend a game, reconnect with loved ones, or enjoy a family vacation was second nature for many Canadians. But political tensions between Ottawa and Washington have shifted the landscape. Some continue to travel to the United States… but avoid telling friends or posting photos on social media. Between a fondness for their routines, political disagreements, and fear of judgment, these travelers now go about it openly… but not on the Internet.
American Vacations Have Become Difficult to Embrace Publicly
As CNN reports, Stefanie Ricchio knows New York well. This Toronto-based accountant has been taking her children there since they were born. Every year in April she marks her daughter’s birthday by attending a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. A family tradition she did not want to give up in 2026, despite the political climate between the two countries.
This time, however, she chose to keep the trip to herself. “I told myself that it’s not really something I want to publicly display, because I feel like I shouldn’t be spending my money on it”, she tells American media. She speaks of a tug-of-war between national pride and the memories she hopes to continue building with her daughter.
This unease sits within a broader movement. Since March 2025, the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump and his remarks about making Canada the 51st American state have nourished a movement of rejection. The boycott of American products has been accompanied by a questioning of travel to the United States.
The numbers bear witness to this shift. In 2024, Canadians had undertaken 39 million round trips to their neighbor. Travel then declined for 15 consecutive months year over year, through April 2026. According to a study by Environics Research published as part of Canada Tourism Outlook 2026, six in ten Canadians now avoid the United States, or consider traveling there with reservations. Specifically, 46% report actively avoiding that destination and 15% say they are torn.
Cross-border passages, however, began creeping up slowly again during the summer of 2026. They remained, nonetheless, 25.6% below those of the same period in 2024, according to Statistics Canada. Sporting events, concerts, and theme parks continue to draw visitors. But as Canadians begin to return to their neighbor in small steps, some still prefer not to publish anything about their escapades. The fear of criticism weighs on everyday conversations: Stefanie Ricchio fears that loved ones will ask why she does not simply attend a Yankees game in Toronto.
Between Personal Attachments and Border Wariness
For Kemi Wells-Conrad, founder of a Vancouver-based luxury travel agency, clients fall into two camps. Some cancel their American trips, and even avoid layovers at Canadian airports. Others keep their plans, especially when they travel with children or own a residence in the United States.
Hawaii remains a favored destination for its family-friendly resort complexes. According to the agency founder, some travelers even differentiate the archipelago from the rest of the United States, due in part to its distinctive culture. Yet, despite this, “I’ve clearly had people tell me, ‘Oh, I won’t tell my friends I’m going there’, or ‘I won’t post on social media that I’m going there’,
reports Kemi Wells-Conrad.
Barry Choi, a Toronto personal-finance and rewards programs expert, has taken a different stance. After initially keeping his trips low-profile, he began sharing them again on Instagram, where he boasts more than 12,000 followers. A decision that drew criticisms. Yet he defends the option to keep traveling, without endorsing the president’s choices.
“The reality is that I’m not going to the United States to visit Donald Trump. I’m going to see friends, family, and things we don’t have here in Canada,” he explains. During a stay in Florida, several locals even apologized to him for the president’s behavior, claiming they did not vote for him. A reaction that surprised him and reminded him that political tensions also affect Americans.
Donald Trump, a Real Brake for Some Travelers
Other travelers remain less convinced. Caleigh, a Toronto marketing manager who prefers to stay anonymous, recently crossed the border to attend a Hayley Williams concert in northern New York state. She hesitated until the last moment, particularly after new remarks by Donald Trump and the announcement of additional tariffs. She also feared that border controls would tighten.
Ultimately she published nothing on social media during the trip. Her phone was not searched at the entry to the United States, but her car was subjected to an inspection. “The mood has completely changed. The level of scrutiny has completely changed”, she says. As a child, she used to travel to this region with her family. This time, the experience felt radically different. She no longer plans to return to the United States. Even without talking about it publicly, the trip no longer seems worth it.
