Despite high gas and travel costs these days, many Americans are sticking to vacation plans. But they’re taking fewer trips and cutting back where they can, according to one analysis.
So with cash being so tight, it’s even more essential to make your vacation funds count. One way to do that is by filling your time off with one-of-a-kind excursions.
Tripadvisor gives travelers a platform to find and rate the wonders of the world, including the ones you can find right here in the U.S.
The site recently released its 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards, which ranks attractions based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor between February 2025 and January 2026.
Here are the top-rated attractions in America in 2026:
- Empire State Building, New York, New York
- Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida
- Central Park, New York, New York
- National Museum of World War II Aviation, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Brooklyn Bridge, New York, New York
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
- Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, Washington
- Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
- Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Empire State Building didn’t just rank No. 1 in America; it also ranked No. 4 in the world — just behind the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh, Basílica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Sun Studio in Memphis and the Empire State Building are the only American attractions to make the top 10 attractions in the world, even surpassing Paris’ Louvre Museum.
The Empire State Building stands 1,454 feet tall, including its spire and antenna. It’s the sixth tallest building in the U.S., and each year, it welcomes over 2.5 million visitors from around the world.
On a clear day, you can take in views of New York City, and see as far as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts and Connecticut from the observatories.
Its art deco lobby is a designated historic landmark, and all ticket holders can learn about the history of the building through exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors.
Time your visit right, and you could even race your way to the top in the annual Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up, where you compete with other runners to take on 1,576 stairs in 86 flights.
Tripadvisor also ranked the top experiences — meaning specific tours, excursions and activities — for its 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards.
An excursion from Las Vegas, Nevada, to the Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (both in Arizona) ranked No. 1. The trip includes transportation, a light hike, views and more. Here are the top-ranked experiences in America in 2026:
- Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour With Lunch, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Grand Canyon + Hoover Dam View + WiFi (Skywalk/Lunch Options), Las Vegas, Nevada
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area, St. Pete Beach, Florida
- Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard First Lady, Chicago, Illinois
- History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts
- Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours, New York City, New York
- 9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket, New York City, New York
- Majestic Circle Island Tour with Lunch, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Salute to Pearl Harbor Including USS Arizona, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Niagara Falls in 1 Day: Tour of American and Canadian Sides, Niagara Falls, New York
Looking to squeeze more out of your travels while on a budget? Check out how free services and more can help you cut costs in “10 of the Best Travel Freebies to Help You Save in 2026.”
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