New York was just crowned the number one destination in the U.S. for 2026

Tripadvisor just confirmed what locals already know: NYC remains the most irresistible destination in the United States. At least according to Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations.

RECOMMENDED: New York just ranked as the second-best city in the world

In the updated rankings unveiled this month, NYC once again claimed the top spot among U.S. cities, beating out hotspots like Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans and Chicago as the country’s must-visit place in 2026.

Tripadvisor’s annual list, built from traveler reviews and ratings around the world, salutes the city’s unmatched blend of culture, cuisine, arts and nightlife, a combination that catapulted it not only to number one in the U.S. but number 10 in the world, ranking below only international bucket-list cities like Bali, London, Dubai, Paris and Rome.

What keeps NYC at the top isn’t a single attraction but its idiosyncratic juxtapositions: Broadway premieres and late-night jazz, world-class museums and street-corner pizza, historic neighborhoods and ever-evolving cultural scenes. Whether you’re a first-timer ticking off the classics (a ride on the Staten Island ferry, a look down from the Empire State Building, a stroll through Central Park) or a repeat visitor hungry for the latest gallery openings, restaurants and buzzy nightlife spots, there’s always a good reason to come.

This year’s Tripadvisor list also highlights the variety of experiences on offer across the U.S., from the neon buzz and swagger of Las Vegas (number two) to the breezy beaches of O‘ahu (number three), from the soulful rhythms of New Orleans (number five) to the charming streets of Charleston (number 7). But in a travel landscape crowded with options, New York’s eclectic character and endless layers keep it at the top of the list.

For New Yorkers, the ranking is a chance to revel in hometown pride and maybe the excuse to book a staycation at that new hotel or finally try the buzzy restaurant people keep posting about. For visitors planning 2026 adventures, it’s a reminder that whether you come for the food, the art or the sheer chaos, NYC delivers.

Top destinations in the U.S. for 2026 according to TripAdvisor:

1. New York City, New York
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Oahu, Hawaii
4. Nashville, Tennessee
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Chicago, Illinois
7. Charleston, South Carolina
8. Key West, Florida
9. Washington, D.C.
10. Boston, Massachusetts