The NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida has been ranked as the premier attraction in the United States, while a snorkeling and sightseeing excursion in Oahu, Hawaii, secured the top spot for experiences on the travel platform TripAdvisor.
These rankings are derived from the 2025 <a Choice Awards for "Best of the Best Things to Do," which highlight standout global destinations and activities. Winners were determined by user reviews and ratings submitted between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, alongside an additional editorial review process.
The list encompasses a variety of sites, ranging from natural landmarks to museums and human-made wonders. The experiences category highlights top-tier tours and excursions designed to enhance a traveler’s trip. TripAdvisor defines experiences as bookable activities, whereas attractions are generally sites accessible without a reservation.
Located on Merritt Island, Florida, the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex earned over 15,000 five-star reviews and was described by Tripadvisor as “an awe-inspiring family activity.” The site also achieved third place on the global list of attractions, following the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia in <a s Empire State Building and Central Park, Memphis' Sun Studio, and the Stetson Mansion in DeLand, Florida. The list also highlights <a s Alcatraz Island and the National Museum of World War II A
Regarding the best experiences category, the “Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling” in Honolulu, Hawaii, was rated the highest in the U.S. This full-day excursion provides a cultural and ecological overview of Oahu, featuring historic landmarks, beach stops, and marine life sightings.
With nearly 5,000 five-star reviews, Tripadvisor praised the tour for its immersive nature, stating: “Visitors can expect an immersive day of learning about the island’s rich culture, snorkeling among the sea life, and exploring beaches and towns around Oahu.”
The Hawaiian tour also earned the eighth spot on the global list of experiences. It was joined in the worldwide rankings by tours located in Italy, Vietnam, Croatia, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
Additional U.S. experiences that earned a spot on the list include the History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour in Massachusetts, the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady, and the 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Tour in New York City.
The annual “Best of the Best” awards honor the top 1 percent of the platform’s 8 million listings, serving as a significant accolade for the selected sites. Tripadvisor noted on its website that these titles are granted to those receiving a high volume of “above-and-beyond” reviews and opinions from the community over a 12-month period.
The U.S. is projected to see a decline of billions of dollars in international visitor according to a May report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Speaking at Newsweek’s inaugural New Destinations Travel & Tourism Summit earlier this month, Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, said: “Our data shows this year the U.S. is on track to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending—that’s a drop of more than 22 percent in 12 months.”
Simpson added: “You cannot rest on your laurels and think that people will be coming. The U.S. is an example of that … too many policymakers assume that tourism will simply look after itself.”
The WTTC president and CEO urged governments not to take tourism for granted. Growth “does not happen by accident,” Simpson said. “It takes investment, political will and clever marketing.”
Top 10 Attractions in the U.S.
NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island, Florida
Empire State Building in New York, New York
Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee
Central Park in New York, New York
Stetson Mansion in DeLand, Florida
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida
Brooklyn Bridge in New York, New York
National Museum of World War II A
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California
Top 10 Experiences in the U.S.
Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling in Honolulu, Hawaii
History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour in Salem, Massachusetts
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady in Chicago, Illinois
9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket in New York, New York
Secret Food Tour of Chinatown and Little Italy in New York, New York
2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo, Miami, Florida
Honolulu Xtreme Parasail in Honolulu, Hawaii
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam, Breakfast, Lunch. Optional Skywalk in Las Vegas, Nevada