The highest-rated attraction in the world is right here in the greatest city in the world, according to a new report by Tripadvisor.
For the first time, the Empire State Building took the top spot globally as the number one attraction in Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Things to Do.
The ESB has 60,000 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor and 21,000 4-star reviews for a total rating of 4.5 stars among more than 95,000 reviews. According to Tripadvisor, over 300 reviews call it a "once in a lifetime experience."
The Empire State Building has previously been named the top attraction in the U.S., as recently as last year, but never to top attraction in the world.
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“The Empire State Building Observatory is the most authentic New York City attraction, and this incredible global recognition is further proof that our decision to require reservations and avoid crowds at our reimagined Observatory Experience has been a huge success,” said Anthony E. Malkin, chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust, in a statement. “The only problem is that I promised to take a pie in the face if we won #1 a third time, so now I have to choose my flavor!”
“After two years topping the US list, it is exciting to see the Empire State Building claim the number one spot on the world stage,” Tripadvisor president Kristen Dalton said. “Winners of Tripadvisor’s coveted Best of the Best awards are among the top 1% of listings on our site and are chosen based on reviews from engaged travelers, which make this win an incredible achievement.”
Top 25 attractions in the world, according to Tripadvisor
- Empire State Building - New York City, New York
- Eiffel Tower - Paris, France
- Anne Frank House - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Basilica de la Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, Spain
- Cayman Crystal Caves - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Colosseum - Rome, Italy
- Louvre Museum - Paris, France
- Gardens by the Bay - Singapore, Singapore
- Duomo di Milano - Milan, Italy
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Vasa Museum - Stockholm, Sweden
- Angkor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Acropolis - Athens, Greece
- Musee d' Orsay - Paris, France
- Pompeii Archaeological Park - Pompeii, Italy
- Jardin Majorelle - Marrakech, Morocco
- Iolani Palace - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
- Central Park - New York City, New York
- Mutianyu Great Wall - Beijing, China
- Chichen Itza - Chichen Itza, Mexico
- Iguazu Falls - Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
- Taj Majal - Agra, India
- Petra - Wadi Musa, Jordan
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Kyoto, Japan
- Corcovado / Christ the Redeemer - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Top 25 attractions in the U.S., according to Tripadvisor
- Empire State Building - New York City, New York
- Iolani Palace - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
- Central Park - New York City, New York
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo, Florida
- Stetson Mansion - DeLand, Florida
- Alcatraz Island - San Francisco, California
- Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee
- Brooklyn Bridge - New York City, New York
- Chihuly Garden and Glass - Seattle, Washington
- Diamond Head State Monument - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
- National Museum of World War II Aviation - Colorado Springs, Colorado
- The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum - New York City, New York
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City, New York
- Horseshoe Bend - Page, Arizona
- Biltmore - Asheville, North Carolina
- Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Taliesin Preservation - Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center - Spring Green, Wisconsin
- The Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
- Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, California
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory - Key West, Florida
- Fountains of Bellagio - Las Vegas, Nevada
- The Gateway Arch - Saint Louis, Missouri
- The National WWII Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial - Keystone, South Dakota
- USS Midway Museum - San Diego, California
The criteria for the awards included the "quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings" between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
The Empire State Building will light in "Tripadvisor green" on Tuesday night.
How tall is the Empire State Building
Local
According to the Empire State Building's website: "At its top floor, the Empire State Building stands 1,250 feet (380 meters) tall. Counting the spire and antenna, the building clocks in at a mighty 1,454 feet (443 meters). It’s currently the 4th tallest building in New York City, the 6th tallest in the United States, and the 43rd tallest tower in the world."
