Americans and Canadians name the summer spots that bring back childhood

Advance Funds Network surveyed 3,021 adults 45 and older in the U.S. and Canada to find the local businesses most tied to nostalgic summer memories. The results point to amusement parks, roadside stops, and old-school attractions that still carry emotional and spending power.

Why it matters: - Nostalgic summer businesses still shape where older Americans and Canadians want to spend time and money. - The survey suggests longtime local attractions can command a premium over national chains. - Respondents said they would spend $41 more, on average, at a nostalgic, long-running local summer business than at a national chain.

What happened: - Advance Funds Network surveyed 3,021 Americans and Canadians ages 45 and older. - The poll asked respondents to identify the local businesses and attractions most closely associated with nostalgic summer memories. - The survey also asked which type of summer business people most wished were still as common as they were in childhood.

The details: - Californians chose Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as their most nostalgic summer spot. - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been open since 1907 and is known for its Giant Dipper roller coaster, carousel, midway games and Pacific Ocean setting. - New Yorkers picked Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island. - Nathan’s Famous began in 1916, when Nathan Handwerker opened a nickel hot dog stand near the Brooklyn shore. - Ohioans voted for Cedar Point. - Cedar Point began as a Lake Erie bathing beach in 1870 and now includes roller coasters, a boardwalk, arcades, a beach, hotels and a water park. - South Dakota respondents selected Wall Drug. - Wall Drug opened in 1931 as a small-town drugstore and became a famous roadside stop after offering free ice water to travelers crossing the plains. - Tennessee respondents named Dollywood. - Dollywood traces its roots to 1961, when the attraction opened in Pigeon Forge as Rebel Railroad. - Missouri respondents put Silver Dollar City at the top. - Silver Dollar City opened in 1960 in the Ozarks and features roller coasters, water rides, craft demonstrations, live entertainment, cave tours and 1880s-themed storefronts. - In Québec, respondents named La Ronde as the favorite nostalgic summer spot. - La Ronde opened in 1967 as the amusement complex for Expo 67 and remains Québec’s largest amusement park. - In Ontario, Centreville Amusement Park was the top choice. - Centreville Amusement Park opened on the Toronto Islands in 1967 and includes family rides, a miniature railway, farm animals and food stands. - When asked which summer business they most missed, drive-in movie theaters led at 22%. - Old-school arcades followed at 21%. - Family-owned ice cream parlors ranked third at 11%. - Local amusement parks and family diners were tied at 10% each. - Drive-in restaurants drew 8%. - Independent candy stores drew 7%. - Mini-golf courses drew 4%. - Beachfront snack bars and small-town souvenir shops each drew 3%. - Lakeside marinas or boat-rental stands received 1%. - The report is available at the full survey report.

Between the lines: - The results favor places tied to family trips, road travel, and repeat summer rituals rather than the biggest tourist landmarks. - The strongest nostalgia centers on experiences that combine food, rides, signs, souvenirs and the journey itself. - That pattern suggests memory and place can be a meaningful business advantage for local operators.

What's next: - The findings may reinforce the appeal of long-running regional attractions heading into future summer seasons. - Local businesses that lean into history, ritual and family memory may be better positioned to capture repeat visits and higher spending. - Advance Funds Network did not indicate any follow-up survey timeline in the release.