Machu Picchu Named #1 Landmark in the World;
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tops in the U.S.
For Exclusive Looks at Award-Winning Landmarks,
TripAdvisor Offers Bookable Tours
NEEDHAM, Mass., May 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers’ Choice™ awards for Landmarks. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
“These Travelers’ Choice award-winning landmarks attract millions of visitors each year and represent some of the world’s most impressive examples of human ingenuity,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “Travelers who want to discover, or rediscover, these iconic attractions can book tours for unique experiences including in some cases exclusive behind-the-scenes access.”
For those planning to visit a winning landmark this year, TripAdvisor has also identified the average bookable accommodation rates for summer in each destination, as well as top-rated tours bookable on TripAdvisor and upcoming events.
Top 10 Landmarks in the U.S:
1. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool – Washington, D.C.
Average summer bookable rates in Washington, D.C.1: June: $307 July: $260 August: $226
The site of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has served as the backdrop for a wide range of historically and culturally significant events. The pool holds nearly 7 million gallons of water and was redesigned in 2012 to be more environmentally-friendly. “No visit to D.C. is complete without a visit to the Lincoln Memorial. Poignant and elegant, it is a must-see stop,” commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Reason to book now: 2016 Memorial Day Parade along Constitution Avenue – May 30, 2016
Top-rated tour: Viator VIP: Best of DC Including US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Access, the White House and Lincoln Memorial – tickets start at $125 per person
2. Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, California
Average summer bookable rates in San Francisco: June: $287 July: $285 August: $298
Spanning 4,200 feet across the Golden Gate strait, the Golden Gate Bridge is synonymous with San Francisco. Despite its name, the color of the bridge is actually “international orange,” which was chosen to improve visibility in the city’s foggy conditions. “Best viewed from Marin County, this is the ultimate icon of San Francisco. Take a few hours to hike around the hills and the WWII fortifications,” advised one TripAdvisor reviewer.
Reason to book now: Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park – August 5-8, 2016
Top-rated tour: San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour – tickets start at $55 per person
3. Alcatraz – San Francisco, California
Average summer bookable rates in San Francisco: June: $287 July: $285 August: $298
Located just over a mile from the San Francisco coast, Alcatraz has housed such well-known U.S. criminals as Al Capone and James “Whitey” Bulger. While the island is known for its eponymous prison, Alcatraz is also home to lush gardens and a variety of birds and small animals. Commented one TripAdvisor reviewer, “Alcatraz is an amazing National Park that everyone should visit at least once. You don't realize how big the island is until you arrive on the boat. The audio tour is very informative and you can wander around all day if you'd like.”
Reason to book now: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, starts at Alcatraz Island – June 12, 2016
Top-rated tour: Viator VIP: Early Access to Alcatraz and Exclusive Cable Car Sightseeing Tour – tickets start at $190 per person
4. USS Arizona Memorial – Honolulu, Hawaii
Average summer bookable rates in Honolulu: June: $234 July: $257 August: $242
The USS Arizona Memorial pays a somber tribute to the more than 2,000 American lives lost during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial, which was built in 1962, is only reachable by boat and is located above, but not on, the sunken Battleship USS Arizona. “An absolute must do while in Honolulu. To witness this piece of world history first hand is incredible,” added one TripAdvisor reviewer.
Reason to book now: 9th Biggest Little Airshow in Hawaii at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor – June 4-6, 2016
Top-rated tour: Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona - Honolulu City Tour – tickets start at $45 per person
5. Grand Central Terminal – New York City, New York
Average summer bookable rates in Midtown: June: $352 July: $310 August: $318
With more than 750,000 visitors passing through its cavernous halls each day, Grand Central Terminal is one of the busiest in the world. The “Whispering Gallery” is one of the terminal’s most interesting features – thanks to the building’s unique architecture, two people standing on opposite sides of an area outside of the Grand Central Oyster Bar can hear each other loud and clear by speaking into a specific archway. A TripAdvisor reviewer shared, “So much more than just a train terminal. The architectural structure is breathtaking; so much history and beauty. Enjoy the shops and eateries. This is a place that should be seen and experienced by all.”
Reason to book now: 3rd Annual “Life’s a Picnic in Grand Central” free indoor public picnic in Vanderbilt Hall – August 22-26, 2016
Top-rated tour: Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour – tickets start at $9 per person
6. Statue of Liberty – New York City, New York
Average summer bookable rates in the Financial District: June: $331 July: $297 August: $299
Gifted to the U.S. from France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has long stood as a welcoming beacon for new arrivals to the country. Lady Liberty owes her distinct green color to oxidation, which took place when the statue’s outer layer of copper reacted with the surrounding air and water. “This was a highlight of our trip...so much history, and an engineering marvel. Make sure to include a trip up to the crown if you really want the full experience,” advised one TripAdvisor reviewer.
Reason to book now: River to River Festival in Lower Manhattan – June 12-26, 2016
Top-rated tour: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour – tickets start at $59 per person
7. Empire State Building – New York City, New York
Average summer bookable rates in Midtown: June: $352 July: $310 August: $318
Once the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building is known for its distinct Art Deco architecture and unobstructed panoramic views of New York City. The tower has been featured in more than 200 movies and TV shows and has an exclusive observation deck reserved for celebrities. Commented one TripAdvisor reviewer, “Amazing. This was the first place we visited on our arrival in New York. It was just getting dark and to see the city light up was breathtaking. Worth getting ‘jump the queue’ tickets as it gets very busy at the box office.”
Reason to book now: Empire State Building’s 85th Anniversary – May 2016
Top-rated tour: Viator VIP: Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial – tickets start at $109 per person
8. Biltmore Estate – Asheville, North Carolina
Average summer bookable rates in Asheville: June: $175 July: $185 August: $171
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895, the Biltmore Estate stands as a luxurious reminder of the Gilded Age. The Biltmore House, the main house on the estate, boasts more than 178,000 square feet of floor space and is considered the largest privately-owned house in the U.S. “Biltmore Estates was absolutely amazing. The house and grounds speak for themselves but the staff only added to the magical essence of the place. They were so helpful and informative but not intrusive,” wrote a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Reason to book now: 20th Annual Biltmore Concert Series, hosted on the South Terrace of Biltmore House – July 28 - August 31, 2016
Top-rated tour: N/A
9. Brooklyn Bridge – Brooklyn, New York
Average summer bookable rates in Brooklyn: June: $210 July: $204 August: $211
First opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge sees the daily passage of more than 124,000 vehicles between Brooklyn and Manhattan – and that doesn’t include the many bicyclists, runners and walkers that also cross the bridge each day. History buffs should pay close attention to the bridge’s anchorages on the Manhattan side, as one features a plaque that marks the site of the first Presidential Mansion. A TripAdvisor reviewer shared, “Wow. The views are wonderful. The bridge itself is breathtaking. Gorgeous architecture. Really enjoyed walking over this New York institution.”
Reason to book now: World Science Festival, multiple events in Brooklyn Bridge Park – June 1-5, 2016
Top-rated tour: Brooklyn Bridge Historical Walking Tour – tickets start at $25 per person
10. Rockefeller Center – New York City, New York
Average summer bookable rates in Midtown: June: $352 July: $310 August: $318
Designed to function as a “city within a city,” Rockefeller Center is home to a wide variety of art, style and entertainment. The popular Today Show premiered live from its studio in Rockefeller Center in 1952, and has since filmed more than 16,000 episodes in the area. “This is definitely a place every tourist should see. You can go to the Top of the Rock (for a fee), meander outside, or simply get lost in the underground eating and shopping extravaganza,” one TripAdvisor reviewer commented.
Reason to book now: “Elmgreen & Dragset: Van Gogh’s Ear” art installation at the entrance to the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center – on display through June 3, 2016
Top-rated tour: NYC at Night: Sightseeing Cruise and Bus Tour – tickets start at $55 per person
Top 10 Landmarks in the World:
1. Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu, Peru
Average summer bookable rates in Machu Picchu: June: $58 July: $59 August: $59
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Average summer bookable rates in Abu Dhabi: June: $112 July: $119 August: $120
3. Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Average summer bookable rates in Siem Reap: June: $63 July: $63 August: $65
4. St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City, Italy
Average summer bookable rates in Vatican City: June: $123 July: $108 August: $102
5. Taj Mahal – Agra, India
Average summer bookable rates in Agra: June: $33 July: $34 August: $34
6. Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba – Cordoba, Spain
Average summer bookable rates in Cordoba: June: $81 July: $63 August: $70
7. Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood – St. Petersburg, Russia
Average summer bookable rates in St. Petersburg: June: $108 July: $81 August: $74
8. The Alhambra – Granada, Spain
Average summer bookable rates in Granada: June: $83 July: $67 August: $71
9. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool – Washington, D.C.
Average summer bookable rates in Washington, D.C.: June: $307 July: $260 August: $226
10. Milan Cathedral (Duomo) – Milan, Italy
Average summer bookable rates in Milan: June: $141 July: $135 August: $151
For the complete list of winners from the 2016 Travelers’ Choice Landmarks, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Landmarks.
TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site**. Travelers can read millions of reviews and opinions and book their next trip at: www.tripadvisor.com.
Notes to editors:
1Average seasonal nightly rates of all bookable accommodations in each destination are based on TripAdvisor pricing data for June 1 through August 31, 2016, aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 340 million unique monthly visitors**, and 350 million reviews and opinions covering 6.5 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 48 markets worldwide.
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*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, February 2016
**Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q1 2016