ALICIA Keys may have been onto something when she sang about New York.
TripAdvisor’s latest rankings may require true travel aficionados to book a flight to New York to enter the “Empire State” of their minds.
The travel site awarded New York’s Empire State Building the winning spot in its “The best of the best things to do” list, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“The Empire State Building is without a doubt the most iconic building in New York City,” said TripAdvisor.
“Visitors can look forward to two observation decks with stunning views of the skyline.
“In addition to a classic photo shoot, you can learn about the building’s history through informative displays and videos, then grab a bite to eat at one of the seven on-site restaurants.”
Other runners-up for the coveted first place include the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Cayman’s Crystal Caves and the Colosseum in Rome.
The building also won the title of US headliner for three consecutive years, from 2022 to 2024.
Although Paris is the only city with two attractions in the top 10 rankings – the Eiffel Tower is second and the Louvre is seventh – the Empire State Building beats the competition as the only American destination in the top 10.
TripAdvisor award methodology explains that its experts analyzed a year’s worth of traveler reviews and ratings to determine the best things to see and do in the world.
“Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best is our greatest honor,” the website stated.
“The award takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings and ranks the best accommodations, destinations, beaches, restaurants and things to do in specific categories and geographic areas, as rated and rated by travelers.
“Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners are in the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor.”
Located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of New York City, the Empire State Buildings attract more than 4 million visitors per year.
This is not the first time that the tourist destination has won something – it was also the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors.
The landmark has 103 floors and 73 elevators and is the fourth tallest building in the city (if you count the tower and antenna).
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Miraculously, the building’s construction took just 410 days, starting in 1930 and ending the following year.
No surprise, according to a 2011 Cornell University studyThe Empire State Building is also the most photographed building in the world.
Visitors can stop by the 86th-floor observatory or elevate their sights (literally) with views from the 102nd and 86th-floor observation decks.
The view from the 86th floor offers travelers views across the entire length of the city, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and another famous New York landmark, the Statue of Liberty.
A combo ticket for both decks includes “unparalleled floor-to-ceiling views that stretch up to 80 miles on a clear day.”
Tickets for the 86th floor they start at $44 for adults, while combination tickets start at $79.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
