This N.Y.C. Spot Was Named the No. 1 Attraction in the U.S., According to New Travel Survey

This N.Y.C. Spot Was Named the No. 1 Attraction in the U.S., According to New Travel Survey https://ift.tt/y1AeZxz

The building has been in the top spot for five years in a row

Taxis in New York City.
Credit: Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• This New York City landmark was named the No. 1 U.S. attraction for the fifth year in a row
• The building celebrated its 95th anniversary this year with special lights and a birthday event on May 1
• TripAdvisor's rankings are based on user reviews from February 2025 to January 2026

An iconic New York landmark has claimed the top spot as the best attraction in the U.S.

TripAdvisor recently released its 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do list, putting the Empire State Building at No. 1. The annual ranking was compiled through user reviews.

Built in 1931, the Empire State Building is an Art Deco skyscraper that has served as the backdrop for films like King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle. It stands 1,454 feet tall and took 410 days to finish building.

The Empire State Building in New York City.
Credit: Getty

In recent years, it has hosted celebrities like Taylor Swift during her 1989 era and built an entertaining social media presence, including one Instagram video showing the employees dancing with Snoopy.

According to Travel + Leisure, the Empire State Building also offers observation deck experiences on the 86th and 102nd floors.

The Empire State Building celebrated being named the No. 1 attraction for the fifth year in a row by turning the lights on it green, in honor of TripAdvisor's logo.

"NUMBER ONE 👏 The Empire State Building has been named the #1 attraction in the U.S. for the fifth year - lighting up in @TripAdvisor Green to celebrate," they captioned on Instagram.

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Users in the comments agreed that it was a perfect choice. "NYC always on top and I love that... the way it lights up the city is everything 💕," one person commented.

Another wrote, "The view from the 102nd floor (top deck) is incredible. Amazing place!!"

The title is also extra special, as this year marks the 95th anniversary of the Empire State Building. The city held a birthday celebration for the skyscraper on May 1.

"Tonight, our tower lights will shine in a multi-color sparkle to celebrate the 95th anniversary!" a post shared on the landmark's Instagram said.

They added in another post, "In the decades that followed, the building quickly became more than an architectural achievement—it turned into a cultural touchstone recognized across the globe. Its silhouette defined the New York City skyline, while its observatories welcomed millions of visitors seeking that unforgettable view from the heart of Manhattan."

TripAdvisor selected the "Best of the Best" series based on reviews submitted between Feb. 1, 2025, and Jan. 31, 2026.

"Because the data reflects aggregated traveler feedback, results often favor popular destinations and well-reviewed, widely booked experiences. For many top-ranked activities—such as guided tours or wildlife excursions—factors like availability, permits, and seasonality can impact access, making advance booking essential," their methodology states.

As for the rest of TripAdvisor's top 10 list of 2026's best attractions, it includes Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee; John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida; Central Park in N.Y.C.; the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, Colorado; N.Y.C.'s Brooklyn Bridge; the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington; Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California; and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.