Of all the attractions and excursions in the world that millions of travelers have experienced in the past year, a U.S. excursion has topped the list. Tripadvisor just announced the winners of its 2023 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best "Things to Do" Awards, and the Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Tour on the island of Oahu came in at number one.
If you’re looking to experience something new when traveling this summer, Tripadvisor’s list offers insight into what activities and attractions have resonated with travelers around the world. The survey of review data from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 reveals the Top Overall Experiences in the world and the U.S., as well as ten 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, Wine Experiences and Family-Friendly Experiences.
Winning the award for the best overall experience in the world—and the only U.S. experience to break into the top 10—the Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Tour takes you around Oahu to all the major sites including the Hālona Blowhole, the Byodo-In Temple and the island's most beautiful beaches. The tour is in good company with the remaining nine Top Overall Experiences including an Icelandic food tour in Reykjavik, a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat and a Jeep tour of Hanoi in Vietnam.
When it comes to the Top Overall Experiences in the U.S., travelers loved everything from a party bike tour in Scottsdale and the Maid of the Mist boat ride in Niagara Falls to a manatee swim in Florida and a North Pole snowmobile adventure in Alaska.
Among the Top Attractions in the World, two in NYC make the list of 10: the Empire State Building and Central Park. The list of top attractions in the U.S. also includes Iolani Palace in Honolulu, The National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Other award-winning U.S. experiences in the remaining categories include a Little Havana food tour in Miami, a winery tour in Traverse City, Michigan and a haunted history tour in Salem, Massachusetts. Check out all the winners here, and get ready to update your travel bucket list.