Travelers’ Choice Awards: Tripadvisor Reveals Best of the Best Things to Do

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Tripadvisor® Announces 2024 Travelers’ Choice® Awards for Best of the Best Things to Do

Notably, the Empire State Building in New York City has climbed to the top spot as the No. 1 attraction worldwide for the first time. Additionally, the Unvanquished Tour in Porto City, Portugal, debuts as the best experience globally, offering visitors a journey through 2,000 years of history in just a few hours.

Empire State Building Named No. 1 Attraction in the World by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice® Awards

With 60,000 5-star reviews, the Empire State Building reinforces its title as the “World’s Most Famous Building,” now recognized as the top attraction in both the US and the world. Reviewers praise the 360-degree view of New York, where they can identify numerous landmarks and see up to six states on clear days. Over 300 reviews describe it as a “once in a lifetime” experience. The Unvanquished Tour, with over 8,000 5-star reviews, is celebrated for its affordability, time efficiency, and knowledgeable guides.

Kristen Dalton, President of Tripadvisor, remarks, “With more than 1.4 million activities and experiences, Tripadvisor is a go-to resource for travelers to discover and book their next adventure. Our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards highlight some of the highest-rated activities worldwide, as endorsed by our global traveler community. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a leisurely explorer, the ‘Best of the Best’ badge signals an unforgettable vacation experience.”

Top Attractions

Leading the list of top attractions worldwide are iconic architectural and artistic landmarks, with American historic icons prominently featured in the US list.

Top Attractions in the World:

1. Empire State Building, New York City, United States
2. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
3. Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4. Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
5. Cayman Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman, Caribbean
6. Colosseum, Rome, Italy
7. Louvre Museum, Paris, France
8. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, Singapore
9. Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy
10. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    See the top 25 Best of the Best Attractions in the world here.

Top Attractions in the US:

1. Empire State Building, New York City, New York
2. Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Central Park, New York City, New York
4. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida
5. Stetson Mansion, DeLand, Florida
6. Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
7. Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
8. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York
9. Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, Washington
10. Diamond Head State Monument, Honolulu, Hawaii
    See the top 25 Best of the Best Attractions in the US here.

Top Experiences

Travelers can find unforgettable adventures, from Hawaii’s scenic tours to exploring ancient ruins in Machu Picchu, and snorkeling between tectonic plates in Iceland.

Top Experiences in the World:

1. The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, Porto, Portugal
2. All-Inclusive Ubud Tour, Ubud, Indonesia
3. All-Inclusive Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Captain Jack, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4. Small-Group Explore Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour with Guide from Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia
5. Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour, Cancun, Mexico
6. The Best Tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales – guided by a STORYTELLER, Florence, Italy
7. Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu (Group Service), Cusco, Peru
8. Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances, and Music, Budapest, Hungary
9. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
10. Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates – meet on location, Reykjavik, Iceland
    See the top 25 Best of the Best Experiences in the world here.

Top Experiences in the US:

1. Oahu Circle Island Tours, Oahu, Hawaii
2. Honolulu Xtreme Parasail, Honolulu, Hawaii
3. History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts
4. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau, Alaska
5. Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour, Honolulu, Hawaii
6. Koloa Zipline in Kauai, Kauai, Hawaii
7. Niagara Falls in 1 Day: Tour of American and Canadian Sides, Niagara Falls, New York
8. ATV Riding: First-Time Rider Course and Guided Tour, Las Vegas, Nevada
9. Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area, Tierra Verde, Florida
10. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options, New York City, New York
    See the top 25 Best of the Best Experiences in the US here.

Unforgettable Vacation Moments

Vacation memories are best fueled by adrenaline, laughs, history, and Dolly Parton.

Bucket List Experiences: Once-in-a-lifetime adventures that pump up adrenaline and leave visitors wanting more.

No. 1 in the world: Beginner Scuba Diving Adventure with Videos in Honolulu – Oahu, Hawaii
See the top 25 Best of the Best Bucket List Experiences in the world here.

Cultural & Historical Tours: Destinations brought to life by knowledgeable guides and interactive walking tours.

No. 1 in the world: Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Local Skipper-Guide – Amsterdam, Netherlands
No. 1 in the US: History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour – Salem, Massachusetts
See the top 25 Best of the Best Cultural & Historical Tours in the world and US here.

Amusement Parks & Water Parks: Family-friendly theme parks with activities for everyone.

No. 1 in the world: Disneyland Paris – Paris, France
No. 1 in the US: Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
See the top 25 Best of the Best Amusement Parks & Water Parks in the world and US here.

More to See and Do

In addition to these categories, Tripadvisor’s annual Best of the Best Things to Do Awards also highlight the top food & drink, family-friendly, nature, sailing and day cruises, and water sports around the world. For a full list of this year’s winners, visit tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-ThingsToDo.

Methodology

The 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, along with an additional editorial process.

Tripadvisor serves a broad and diverse community of travelers worldwide and reserves the right to determine award eligibility based on corporate policies and values. For more details on Tripadvisor’s awards policy, see here.

Experiences are classified as bookable tours and activities on Tripadvisor, while non-bookable experiences or attractions are activities that travelers can visit without booking a ticket. Nine subcategories focus on experiences, while Top Attractions and Amusement & Water Parks also include attractions, offering a comprehensive view of travelers’ favorite things to do.