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bucket list adventures around the world: Empire State Building

Tripadvisor Unveils 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to do

Stuck in travel overload? You’re not alone. With over 1.4 million incredible experiences and attractions, choosing your next adventure can feel overwhelming. From historical tours to heart-pounding thrills, this year’s list offers something for every kind of traveler. Don’t worry, we’ll break it down to help you find the perfect experience! bucket list adventures around the world

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Tripadvisor®, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, announced the winners of its annual 2024 Travelers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best Things to Do, highlighting the highest-rated experiences and attractions around the world and in the US based on Tripadvisor reviews. For the first time ever, the Empire State Building in New York City climbed to the top as the No. 1 attraction globally. Making its debut and earning the top spot as the best experience in the world is the Unvanquished Tour in Porto City, Portugal, where visitors can explore 2,000 years of history in just a few hours.

Boasting 60,000 5-star reviews, the Empire State Building reinforces its claim as the “World’s Most Famous Building” by rising to the No. 1 attraction in the US and in the world. Reviewers are wowed by the 360-degree view of New York, where they can point out all of their favorite landmarks and see up to six states on a clear day. Over 300 reviews deem it a “once in a lifetime” experience. With more than 8,000 5-star reviews, the Unvanquished Tour is praised for being budget and time friendly, with entertaining and knowledgeable tour guides.

“With more than 1.4 million activities and experiences, Tripadvisor is a go-to resource for travelers to discover and book their next adventure, no matter what ‘adventure’ means to them,” says Kristen Dalton, President, Tripadvisor. “Experiences make a trip, and our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travelers. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a leisurely explorer, the ‘Best of the Best’ badge has the seal of approval from global travelers as a source of inspiration for an unforgettable vacation.”

Top Attractions bucket list adventures around the world

Architecture and art lead the world’s most desirable attractions, while historic American icons rise to the top of 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

From experiencing Hawaii’s sights from the comfort of a climate-controlled vehicle to exploring ancient ruins in Machu Picchu to snorkeling between tectonic plates in Iceland, there is an unforgettable adventure for every type of explorer.

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 experiences that get adrenaline pumping and leave every visitor 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 ripped from the pages of history books and brought to life by knowledgeable guides, interactive walking tours, and more.

  • 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: Theme parks are a crowd pleaser, offering activities the entire family can enjoy.

  • 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 bucket list adventures around the world

More to See and Do

In addition to the above 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.

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A seasoned globetrotter with a contagious wanderlust, Julia thrives on exploring the world and sharing her adventures with others.