Tripadvisor Just Named This U.S. City The #1 Destination For 2026 (And It’s Exactly Who You Think)

Name: Empire State Building
Rating: 4.7

If a place where pizza, bagels, bacon egg and cheeses, suspiciously hot people, bodegas that know your order before you do, and casual celebrity sightings feels like your dream destination...surprise! You’ve been dreaming about New York City. And we’re not the only ones saying it–Tripadvisor travelers are fully aligned. The travel platform just dropped its Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations for 2026, and NYC didn’t just make an appearance–it took the top spot as the #1 destination in the U.S. The travel giant just dropped its 2026 Travelers’ Choice [Best of the Best Destinations](https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g191) , and NYC didn’t just make the list–it snatched the #1 spot in the U.S. We’d say we didn’t expect this honor but, well, that would be a lie– and it’s not just because we’ve earned this title from Tripadvisor before. Why NYC Won (Again) ------------------- Tripadvisor points to the heavy hitters that remain bucket-list staples for tourists: the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Cloisters . But because we’re New Yorkers (and Secret NYC)–and have an affinity for sharing all our fav more under-the-radar spots with you –may we suggest: * **Zaidi’s NYC** – head here for vintage lighters, rare magazines, and old school candy * **Locavore Variety Store** – the ultimate stop for eclectic gifts from 100+ local(ish) makers * Noguchi Museum – a “hidden gem” museum centered around Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi (with a outdoor sculpture garden to die for) * Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center – a 28-acre estate in the Bronx with public horticultural gardens and a cultural center, all overlooking the Hudson River * Elizabeth Street Garden – a one-acre community-run sculpture garden in Nolita Tripadvisor adds: > Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer. The Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2026 ------------------------------------- Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” title is a massive deal–it’s only awarded to the top 1% of the 8 million listings on the platform, based on a year’s worth of “above-and-beyond” reviews. Here is how the rest of the U.S. rounded out for 2026: 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 Source: https://secretnyc.co/tripadvisor-2026-travelers-choice-awards-best-of-best-destinations-nyc/