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November 22 2024 / 07:09 PM
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TripAdvisor
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards continue with Best of the Best "Things to Do" - a definitive guide to unforgettable bookable travel activities and excursions

Tripadvisor®, the world's largest travel guidance platform, announced the winners of its 2023 Travelers' Choice® Best of the Best "Things to Do" Awards. As the summer travel season gets into full swing, these are Tripadvisor reviewers' favorite activities from across the world that will turn any vacation into a trip to remember.

Analyzing 12-months of Tripadvisor review data (May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023) from millions of travelers across the globe, Travelers' Choice Best of the Best "Things to Do" is a definitive list of extraordinary experiences for travelers looking to create memorable moments. The list brings together the very best activities and excursions – from bookable tours and experiences to top attractions that travelers can visit along the way.

In addition to the Top Overall Experiences, Tripadvisor offers 10 further sub-categories including Top Attractions, Amusement Parks & Water Parks, Bucket List Experiences, Cultural & Historical Tours, Food & Culinary Experiences, Nature & Outdoor Activities, Sailing & Day Cruises, Snorkeling & Water Sports and Wine Experiences. New for 2023 is Family-Friendly Experiences, activities that are perfect for kids and the parents tagging along with them.

According to Tripadvisor's most recent Seasonal Travel Index, almost a third (28%) of travelers are motivated by the opportunity to experience something new and just under half (44%) want to make memories with family and friends on vacation. With experiential travel taking center stage, Tripadvisor's Best of the Best "Things to Do" is an essential guide for travelers looking to do something a bit different on their next trip.

Delving into the collective wisdom of the travel community, this year's best experience in the world is a full day tour of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. On the Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Tour, travelers will visit all the island's top sights including the impressive Hālona Blowhole and the Byodo-In Temple, as well as the island's most beautiful beaches and surf spots. The rest of the Top Overall Experiences is a diverse list ranging from an Icelandic food tour in Reykjavik to sand surfing through the Dubai desert dunes.

According to Tripadvisor reviewers, Oahu is the place that left the biggest impression on travelers, with parasailing adventure Xtreme Parasail in Honolulu and Deluxe USS Arizona Memorial and Historical City Tour also coming  in at No. 6 and No. 7 in Top Overall Experiences in the U.S.

Top 10 Experiences - World

Top 10 Experiences - US

1. Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Tour, Honolulu, Hawaii

1. Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Tour, Honolulu, Hawaii

2. Thai Cooking Course, Chiang Mai, Thailand

2. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau, Alaska

3. Ubud Tour - Best of Ubud, Ubud, Bali

3. History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Mass.

4. Red Dunes ATV, Sandsurf, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ, Dubai, UAE

4. Party Bike in Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.

5. Best DMZ 3rd Infiltration Tunnel Tour from Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

5.  Niagara Falls American-Side Tour with Maid of the Mist Boat Ride, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

6. Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure, Reykjavik, Iceland

6. Xtreme Parasail in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

7. Amsterdam Luxury Guided Sightseeing Canal Cruise, Amsterdam, Netherlands

7. Deluxe USS Arizona Memorial and Historical City Tour, Honolulu, Hawaii

8. Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour, Siem Reap, Cambodia

8. Swim with Manatees, Crystal River, Fla.

9. San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour, San Juan, Puerto Rico

9. Fairbanks Snowmobile Adventure from North Pole, North Pole, Alaska

10. Hanoi Jeep Tours, Hanoi, Vietnam

10. The Official Hollywood Sign Walking Tour in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif.


With half of global travelers prioritizing visiting attractions on their upcoming trips this summer, according to Tripadvisor's Summer Travel Index, Tripadvisor has compiled a list of the world's best. Barcelona's Sagrada Familia holds on to the top spot for a second year running as the No. 1 Top Attraction in the world, followed by Rome's Colosseum, which also took second place in 2022. Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and The Dubai Fountain in the UAE are new additions to the world list for 2023, taking third and fourth place respectively.

In the U.S., the Empire State Building held onto its top spot in the best U.S. attractions, and New York overall came out top with Central Park placing second, The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum fourth and the Brooklyn Bridge sixth.

Top 10 Attractions - World

Top 10 Attractions - U.S.

1. Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

1. Empire State Building, New York City, N.Y.

2. Colosseum, Rome, Italy

2. Central Park, New York City, N.Y.

3. Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

3. Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii

4. The Dubai Fountain, Dubai, UAE

4. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, New York City, N.Y.

5. Empire State Building, New York City, N.Y.

5. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, La.

6. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France

6. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, N.Y.

7. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

7. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colo.

8. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

8. Stetson Mansion, DeLand, Fla.

9. Central Park, New York City, N.Y.

9. Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nev.

10. Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain

10. USS Midway Museum, San Diego, Calif.

 

This year's awards include a new subcategory, Family-Friendly Experiences, which highlights the most loved days out by parents and children alike. The No. 1 world experience in this inaugural category, both in the world and U.S. lists, is a private boat tour in South Carolina. Private Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island. This trip was "the highlight of our family vacation" for one reviewer and others highlighted the captain's knowledge, noting "there was not a dolphin or nature questions he was unable to answer". Other winners include a wizard walk in York, UK, and a Roman gladiator school in Italy.

 

Amusement Parks & Water Parks: The best places to scream, splash, and get your adrenaline fix, according to travelers who love a good thrill.

See all the winners here.

 

Bucket List Experiences: Unique things to do that'll make your trip—and give you the best stories for later.

See all the winners here.

 

Cultural & Historical Tours: Discover a new city on foot, bike, even Vespa(!) with the best guides in the game.

 

Food & Culinary Experiences: Tours and experiences that are known for their great taste (literally).

 

Nature & Outdoor Activities: Fresh air, new heights, wildlife sightings—the greatest outdoor adventures start here.

 

Sailing & Day Cruises: Get out on the open water with traveler-loved expeditions.

 

Snorkeling & Water Sports: From snorkeling and scuba diving to kayaking and surfing, these are the best things to do under—and over—the sea.

 

Wine Experiences: Sip your way through these top-rated tours and tastings.

See all the winners across subcategories here.

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