Tourist trap or worth it? These are the world's best things to do, says Tripadvisor
To help travelers determine what's worth adding to their upcoming travel plans – or deserves a new spot on their bucket lists – Tripadvisor released its annual 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do last week. Based off Tripadvisor reviews from April, 1 2024 through March 31, 2025, the awards highlight the highest-rated attractions and experiences around the world.
This year, the top attractions around the globe went to the most iconic landmarks and historical places while the family-friendly NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida won for the top U.S. attraction. Meanwhile, culturally immersive and adventurous experiences dominated the list for best experiences.
"With such a huge selection of travel activities and excursions available on the platform, Tripadvisor helps travelers find the experiences that turn a trip into a lifelong memory," said Tripadvisor President Kristen Dalton in a statement. "Whether you crave adrenaline or prefer to take things slow, 'The Best of the Best Things to Do' showcases the world's top-rated experiences."
Here are the best things to do in the world, according to Tripadvisor.
Need a tropical vacay? These are the top 10 islands to visit, says Expedia
Top attractions in the world
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, United States
Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing, China
Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy
Plaza de España, Seville, Spain
Top attractions in the US
NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, Florida
Empire State Building, New York, New York
Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee
Central Park, New York, New York
Stetson Mansion, DeLand, Florida
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida
Brooklyn Bridge, New York, New York
National Museum of World War II Aviation, Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
Top experiences in the world
The Best Tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales, Florence, Italy
Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
Blue Cave Small-Group Boat Tour from Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, London, United Kingdom
All Inclusive 90 minutes Canal Cruise by Captain Jack! Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Early morning Chichen Itza Tour: Cenote and Tequila Tasting, Cancun, Mexico
Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila & Toledo from Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Grand Tour Around Island 16 locations plus Snorkeling, Honolulu, United States
Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul, Türkiye
Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing, Ubud, Indonesia
Top experiences in the US
Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling, Honolulu, Hawaii
History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady, Chicago, Illinois
9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket, New York, New York
Secret Food Tour of Chinatown and Little Italy, New York, New York
2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo, Miami, Florida
Honolulu Xtreme Parasail, Honolulu, Hawaii
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area, St. Pete Beach, Florida
Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam, Breakfast, Lunch. Optional Skywalk, Las Vegas, Nevada
Dark Philly Adult Night Tour, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The best attractions in the world and US, according to Tripadvisor
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
29 minutes ago
- Fox News
Dollywood tops Disney parks in Tripadvisor's best amusement park rankings survey
A new survey revealed which amusement parks in America are the best — andthe top spot may (or may not) surprise you. Tripadvisor released its "Best of the Best Things to Do" report after conducting research across all high-volume reviews and eight million opinions from the Tripadvisor community in the past 12 months. "Get ready to scream, splash, soar through the sky, and escape into your favorite worlds at these winning parks," reads the announcement ranking the amusement and water parks. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, ranked first on the list, at 4.3 out of 5. The park is co-owned by the iconic Dolly Parton, who grew up around the Smoky Mountains in the Big Bender state. Dollywood has 50 rides spanning over 160 acres, according to its website. "The park has a downhome feel with singalongs and a museum dedicated to Parton's life, plus high-velocity roller coasters and thrill rides," reads Tripadvisor's report. Dollywood also has an art scene with performances, glassblowing showcases and artisans making pottery. One reviewer left five stars, writing, "We had a great time at this theme park." "It was very hot. However, the park offers shaded areas and free ice water!" the person continued. "There were also fans placed around the park. They care about their guests." Dollywood beat out Disney and Universal parks. Coming out in second place was Magic Kingdom Park. Located in Bay Lake, Florida, the park is dubbed "The Most Magical Place on Earth." Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most popular Disney attractions, such as Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise and Cinderella's castle. "There's also a nightly fireworks show, musical parades, and meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters," Tripadvisor notes. In third place is Knoebels Amusement Resort, located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. The park has been family-owned and operated since 1926. Tripadvisor notes it is America's largest free-admission amuseument park. It has "roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course." Disney's Hollywood Studios in Bay Lake, Florida, took fourth place. The park has some of Disney's most thrilling rides, such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Aerosmith-themed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Rounding out the top five was the Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. "Universal Islands of Adventure — one of two parks at Universal Orlando — is home to superheroes and magical creatures," notes Tripadvisor. "One of the highlights is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can ride Hagrid's Motorbike," the report adds. "Don't miss the Velocicoaster, a high-speed coaster."
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TripMasters Unveils Curated Itineraries for Personalized Adventures
SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ready to embark on a tailor-made adventure? Visit to explore the diverse range of travel packages and find the perfect itinerary that matches your interests. Whether you're a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, or a family seeking a memorable getaway, TripMasters has something special in store for you. TripMasters has launched new travel packages, along with their existing offers, designed to highlight experiences for every type of traveler. They understand that no vacation is one-size-fits-all, so now you can easily find the trip that matches your interests, whether it's family-friendly fun, culinary and wine adventures, wildlife encounters, scenic road trips, outdoor adventures, or whatever your interests. TripMasters has crafted interest-based packages to fulfill the growing demand for personalized, unforgettable travel experiences. "At TripMasters, we believe your vacation should be as unique as you are! That's why we're so excited to offer even more curated experiences! These range from food and wine escapes to thrilling wildlife encounters and off-the-beaten-path destinations." Kate Quigley, Product Manager, continued, "We're bridging the gap between DIY booking sites and traditional tours, giving you the freedom, curated experiences, and cost savings all in one place." As global tourism rebounds, more than 1.4 billion people traveled internationally in 2024, according to Yahoo News . With more travelers than ever eager to explore the world, TripMasters stands out by offering unique, customizable itineraries that cater to individual passions. These new travel packages offer a variety of options, including: Costa Rica's Nature & Wildlife : Featuring private transfers from point to point, included and optional activities, and TripMaster's own 5-star local concierge support. Gourmet Getaways : Indulge in the flavors of Europe with expertly curated gastronomic adventures. Scenic Road Trips: Discover hidden gems and iconic landmarks on unforgettable journeys. Arts & Culture: Explore culture through art, music, dance, and traditions. TripMasters occupies a unique position in the travel industry, bridging the gap between DIY booking sites and traditional tour operators. Enjoy the freedom to customize your itinerary to match your travel style, while taking advantage of curated experiences that highlight the very best each destination has to offer. Plus, their platform combines flexibility, affordability, and simplicity, making it easy to plan multi-city adventures tailored to your exact interests. With reasonable pricing and an intuitive booking system, TripMasters opens the door for more travelers to explore the world on their terms. Media Contact: Stephanie Merrithew, smerrithew@ Founded in 1984, is a leader in customizable, multi-destination travel. With a pioneering online platform, Tripmasters empowers travelers to design flexible, personalized itineraries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Canada, the Pacific, and beyond. Whether planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a luxury escape, customers can choose from thousands of destinations, mix and match flights, hotels, and activities, and build trips with up to 12 cities—all in one seamless booking process. Tripmasters combines the convenience of technology with expert customer support to deliver exceptional value and unforgettable travel experiences. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TripMasters Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Skift
an hour ago
- Skift
The Maldives Sees 9% Tourism Growth
The Maldives welcomed 1.29 million tourists by July 2025, marking a 9.5% increase year-on-year, with strong off-season growth. The Ministry of Tourism said the country welcomed 180,438 visitors in July alone, an 11.8% increase over July 2024. The average number of daily arrivals is now exceeding 6,000. 73% of the tourists are staying at resorts, but guesthouses now account for 22% of stays. This segment has seen notable growth in recent years, particularly among budget-conscious travelers and regional source markets. A further 2% of arrivals opted for hotels and liveaboard safari vessels, which cater to niche segments such as divers and marine-focused travelers. As of July 2025, China leads all inbound markets with 188,317 arrivals, up 14.6% year-on-year. Russia was up 11.8% to 152,385 tourists, and the UK is in third place with 120,937 visitors, up 9.4%. The Maldivian government has set an ambitious target of reaching 2.5 million arrivals by the end of 2025, which woul
