As the summer travel season heats up to be the busiest since pre-pandemic years, and appetites for jet-set adventures soar, Tripadvisor®, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, today announces the next in its coveted Travelers’ Choice® Award series: The Best of the Best Things to Do. Revealing all the must-do activities in travel hotspots around the world, this accolade also includes hidden gems in off the beaten path locations: from Oahu’s chilled-out North Shore to Reykjavik’s foodie enclaves, and much more. As part of this next iteration of Travelers’ Choice Awards, Tripadvisor outlines subcategories corresponding with the wants and needs of every traveler.
With high demand for travel, vacationers want to make up for lost time, desperately seeking those trips of a lifetime. The Travelers’ Choice Awards are the ultimate resource of tried-and-true experiences, curated by travelers within Tripadvisor’s community, ready to bring holiday itineraries to the next level.
An Elevated Way to Travel
Travelers across all ages indicated (60%) in a 2021 Tripadvisor survey that emerging from the pandemic they intend to book a local experience to get to know more about the destinations they plan to visit on their next trip, with interest rising further for millennial travelers*. Whether it’s an adrenaline-pumping ATV tour through the red dunes of Dubai or a relaxing sunset cruise with a glass of local wine along the gorgeous Lisbon harbor, Tripadvisor has an unmatched inventory of over 300,000 bookable activities to help all travelers – from adventure lovers to beach bums – discover the best things to do.
To this end, Tripadvisor’s second annual “Things to Do” Awards celebrate travelers’ favorite experiences and the attractions they love to visit around the world. As priorities evolve for many travelers since the pandemic, vacations are much more than just booking a flight, selecting a hotel room and sitting poolside within a resort. It’s the experiences travelers have on a trip that leave lasting impressions, frequently retold stories and unforgettable memories.
How does Tripadvisor determine the best?
For all Travelers’ Choice Awards, Tripadvisor analyzes the authentic feedback from its community to identify and rank the best in travel. With over one billion reviews and opinions from real, global travelers, Tripadvisor has the authority and guidance on what to book to truly experience the best of a destination. The Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards are based on the reviews and ratings of experiences, tours, attractions and activities over the past 12 months from Tripadvisor travelers, celebrating a vast array of travelers’ most highly recommended activities of 2022.
Tripadvisor is awarding top things to do in 11 subcategories, ranging from quintessential favorites like the best Food Experiences and Nature & Outdoor Activities to new and exciting areas like Pop Culture Tours and Bucket List Experiences. For the thrill seekers, Tripadvisor is also recognizing the Top Amusement & Water Parks and celebrating everyone’s favorite Attractions.
Kate Urquhart, General Manager, Experiences at Tripadvisor, says: “We hear from travelers year-round that the experiences and activities found on Tripadvisor are the highlights of their trips. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the winners of the 2022 Travelers’ Choice Things to Do Awards, celebrating the past year’s most amazing tours and activities. The awards bring well-deserved recognition to the hard-working and skilled tour operators who have managed to provide exceptional experiences to their guests while still navigating the pandemic. From a luxurious food-filled evening to a long-haul trek, there is something for every traveler on this list, and we know Tripadvisor offers an unparalleled platform to find and book things to do. So, check out this year’s winners to discover the tours and activities travelers say you can’t miss!”
Outdoor activities dominated the 2021 awards, and they made another strong showing this year, as beach and nature spots in Florida and Hawaii are home to the most U.S. winners. But city tours are increasingly popular this year as well, as travelers have begun gaining confidence to return to big tourist destinations.
Among all the different types of activities, the No. 1 Top Experience in the world for 2022 is an Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise. This is a scenic cruise along Amsterdam’s stunning canals that passes iconic spots like the Anne Frank House, the Jordaan, the Houseboat Museum, Leiden Square, Rijksmuseum, De Duif and much more. With nearly 10,000 reviews, this tour has travelers raving about its guides, as well as the accompanying wine and cheese.
In the U.S., it’s Hawaii’s Tour of North Shore (70%) and Sightseeing (30%), hosted by North Shore Beach Bus, at No. 1. Skip the hassle of renting a car and see the highlights of Oahu’s North Shore with this awesome tour. Along the way, a guide shares details about the island that you would likely miss if traveling on your own. Plus, enjoy time to swim, shop, paddleboard, kayak or do a waterfall hike while getting to know the island.
The Top 10 Experiences in the World for 2022
- Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise – Live Guide – from Anne Frank House – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Red Dunes Quad Bike, Sandsurf, Camels & BBQ at Al Khayma Camp from Dubai – Dubai, UAE
- Tour of North Shore (70%) and Sightseeing (30%) – Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
- Natural Pool & Indian Cave Jeep Safari – Aruba
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area – Tierra Verde, Florida, U.S.
- Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu – Cusco, Peru
- Reykjavik Food Walk – Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland – Reykjavik, Iceland
- High-Speed Thames River RIB Cruise in London – London, U.K.
- Rafting – Sprouts – Rio Jacaré Pepira by Wild Canoe Territory – Brotas, Brazil
- City & Beatles Tour – BLUE ROUTE – Liverpool, U.K.
The Top 10 Experiences in the U.S. for 2022
- Tour of North Shore (70%) and Sightseeing (30%) – Honolulu, Hawaii
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area – Tierra Verde, Florida
- Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami – Miami, Florida
- Half-Day Mojave Desert ATV Tour from Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, 7 Magic Mountains Small Group Day Tour from Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nevada
- 3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Tour in Sonoran Desert – New River, Arizona
- Pearl Harbor City Tour – Honolulu, Hawaii
- 5 Island Maui County -Private- Discovery Flight, for up to 3 people: See it All! – Maui, Hawaii
- Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida
- Party Bike Private Party Up To 15 People in Old Town Scottsdale – Scottsdale, Arizona
Food Experiences: Tours and experiences that are known for their great taste (literally).
- No. 1 in the world: Reykjavik Food Walk – Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland – Reykjavik, Iceland
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class – Charleston, South Carolina
- See all the winners here
Nature & Outdoor Activities: Fresh air, new heights, wildlife sightings—the greatest outdoor adventures start here.
- No. 1 in the world: Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area – Tierra Verde, Florida (also No. 1 in the U.S.)
- See all the winners here
Sailing & Day Cruises: Get out on the open water with traveler-loved expeditions.
- No. 1 in the world: Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise – Live Guide – from Anne Frank House – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida
- See all the winners here
Cultural & Historical Tours: Discover a new city on foot, bike, even Vespa(!) with the best guides in the game.
- No. 1 in the world: Renaissance & Medici Tales – Explore Florence with the best storytellers – Florence, Italy
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Pearl Harbor City Tour – Honolulu, Hawaii
- See all the winners here
Snorkeling & Water Sports: From snorkeling and scuba diving to kayaking and surfing, these are the best things to do under—and over—the sea.
- No. 1 in the world: Rafting – Sprouts – Rio Jacaré Pepira by Wild Canoe Territory – Brotas, Brazil
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Manatee Snorkeling Tours – Crystal River, Florida
- See all the winners here
Wine, Beer, and Spirits Experiences: Sip your way through these top-rated tours and tastings.
- No. 1 in the world: St. Augustine’s Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience – St. Augustine, Florida (also No. 1 in the U.S.)
- See all the winners here
Bucket List Experiences: Unique things to do that’ll make your trip—and give you the best stories for later, too.
- No. 1 in the world: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari & BBQ at Al Khayma Camp™️, Dubai – Dubai, UAE
- See all the winners here
Pop Culture Tours: Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies, shows, and artists with fan-favorite experiences.
- No. 1 in the world: Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More – Los Angeles, California (also No. 1 in the U.S.)
- See all the winners here
Top Attractions: Loved by travelers, they’re the iconic landmarks you simply have to see to believe.
- No. 1 in the world: Basílica de la Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Empire State Building – New York City, New York
- See all the winners here
Amusement Parks: The best places to scream, splash, and get your adrenaline fix, according to travelers who love a good thrill.
- No. 1 in the world: Siam Park – Adeje, Spain
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- See all the winners here
See all the winners across subcategories here.
