Tripadvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards
On April 28, 2026, Tripadvisor®, the globe's premier travel guidance platform, revealed the winners of the annual 2026 Travelers' Choice® Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do. This year’s awards celebrate the most exceptional travel experiences and attractions worldwide, selected based on millions of traveler ratings and reviews gathered from Tripadvisor’s extensive global community over the past year.
Highlights of the Awards
The awards spotlight nationally acclaimed tours that immerse travelers in the local culture and stunning natural environments. The standout winner for the world’s top experience is the
Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, which previously won in 2024. This tour is highly praised for providing insights into Porto's rich history, architectural splendors, and local gastronomy, making it a must-try for visitors.
In the United States, the experience that has captured travelers' hearts is the
Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour with Lunch, which has taken the top position. This tour offers breathtaking landscapes of the Southwest, guided by a knowledgeable Navajo guide who shares the canyon's geological significance and cultural relevance.
Best Experiences in New York City
New York City features a new list this year, led by the
Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours. With thousands of five-star reviews, this service has become the favorite way to explore one of the world’s most famous parks. Travelers appreciate the insight of local guides and delightful photo opportunities throughout the journey.
Once in a Lifetime Experiences
The awards also highlighted extraordinary experiences that can be termed life-changing, such as
Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates in Reykjavik, Iceland. This adventurous activity takes thrill-seekers to a stunning snorkeling site located in a rift created by the drifting Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
According to Laurel Greatrix, Chief Communications Officer at Tripadvisor Group, the winners are shaped by the collective voice of travelers. “These awards reflect the unique essence of each destination, delivering experiences that enrich the traveler’s understanding of a place,” Greatrix stated.
Top Experiences: A Global Overview
The list of top experiences this year spans diverse activities, including immersive city tours, scenic boat rides, and adventurous hikes. Here are some highlights:
Top Experiences Worldwide:
- - The Unvanquished Tour, Porto, Portugal
- - Peaceful Hiroshima Miyajima UNESCO 1 Day Bus Tour, Hiroshima, Japan
- - Barcelona in 1 Day, Barcelona, Spain
- - Amsterdam All-Inclusive Canal Cruise, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- - Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, Liverpool, UK
- - Berlin’s Best Historical Walking Tour, Berlin, Germany
- - London Historical Pubs Tour, London, UK
- - 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru
- - Krakow–Zakopane Cable Car and Tour, Krakow, Poland
- - Amanda Cruise, Hanoi, Vietnam
Top Experiences in the U.S.:
- - Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour, Las Vegas, NV
- - Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam Tour, Las Vegas, NV
- - Clear Kayak Tour in Tampa Bay, St. Pete Beach, FL
- - Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise, Chicago, IL
- - History and Hauntings Guided Tour in Salem, MA
- - Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours, New York City, NY
- - 9/11 Memorial Ground Zero Tour, New York City, NY
- - Majestic Circle Island Tour, Honolulu, HI
- - Salute to Pearl Harbor Tour, Honolulu, HI
- - Niagara Falls One Day Tour, Niagara Falls, NY
Architectural Wonders
The awards also recognized the most spectacular architectural marvels around the globe:
Top Attractions Worldwide:
- - The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, UK
- - Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
- - Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
- - Empire State Building, New York City, NY
- - Cayman Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman
- - The Real Mary King's Close, Edinburgh, UK
- - Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg, Germany
- - Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
- - Sun Studio, Memphis, TN
- - Cachoeira Boca da Onça, Brazil
Top Attractions in the U.S.:
- - Empire State Building, New York City, NY
- - Sun Studio, Memphis, TN
- - John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, FL
- - Central Park, New York City, NY
- - National Museum of World War II Aviation, Colorado Springs, CO
- - Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, NY
- - The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY
- - Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, WA
- - Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA
- - Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO
Distinctive Experiences
Beyond the major attractions, Tripadvisor’s annual awards recognize outstanding travel categories such as
Top Once in a Lifetime Experiences,
Cultural Historic Tours, and
Amusement Water Parks, perfect for planning your next escapade.
Once in a Lifetime Experiences:
1.
Silfra Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates, Reykjavik, Iceland
2.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Canoe Tours, United Kingdom
Cultural Historic Tours:
- - The Unvanquished Tour, Porto, Portugal (World #1)
- - History and Hauntings of Salem Tour, Salem, MA (U.S. #1)
Amusement Water Parks:
- - Futuroscope, France (World #1)
- - Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA (U.S. #1)
For a comprehensive list of this year's award winners, visit
Tripadvisor's Best of the Best.
Methodology
The Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Things To Do Awards for 2026 are calculated based on traveler reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026, additionally considering an editorial process to ensure quality and relevance. Experiences listed include those that are bookable tours and attract tourists to remarkable places, providing insights that lead to a richer travel experience.
About Tripadvisor, Inc.
Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, aids millions in becoming better travelers by offering resources for planning and booking trips. With an expansive array of reviews and extensive travel contributions, Tripadvisor empowers travelers to discover optimal accommodations, book itineraries, and locate culinary delights around them. Tripadvisor LLC is a subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Inc., trading under Nasdaq: TRIP.