USA TODAY 10Best
Best New Attraction of 2021? SkyFly: Soar America
Best New Attraction (2022)
From museums and performance spaces to skate parks and water parks, travelers were treated to a host of new attractions this past year.
The top 10 winners in the category Best New Attraction are as follows:
- Roots 101 African-American Museum - Louisville, KY
- Water Works Park and Pavilion - Minneapolis, MN
- The Cloud Ladder at Kent Mountain Adventure Center - Estes Park, CO
- Greenwood Rising - Tulsa, OK
- Lauridsen Skatepark - Des Moines, IA
- Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience - New Orleans, LA
- The Friends Experience - Multiple Cities
- Allegiant Stadium Tours - Paradise, NV
- Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience - Multiple Cities
- SkyFly: Soar America - Pigeon Forge, TN
Photo courtesy of Crystal Ludwick
No. 10:
In June 2021, the Roots 101 African-American Museum opened, with nearly 11,000-square-feet of space designed to host art and historical artifacts from Louisville and around the world. Their focus is to relate the African American journey “from Africa to all the ports between,” illustrating their history, culture, and art through exhibits and programs.
Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
No. 9:
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation invites you to visit their newly opened attraction, Water Works Park and Pavilion, a place downtown to “gather and play and restore and refresh.” This attraction offers fun, food, and educational opportunities for the entire family – including an Indigenous cuisine restaurant, a classroom, an outdoor seating terraced area, a “Nature Play Lab” for small children, with Dakota indigenous art and interpretative signs throughout the site.
Photo courtesy of Via Ferrata Works
No. 8:
Kent Moutain Adventure Center’s new Cloud Ladder claims to be the “steepest and most challenging Via Ferrata climbing in North America.” Rated as a black to double black diamond climb, it is both physically and mentally demanding, with difficulty increasing the entire way up the Deville Rocks. Climbers should be prepared for about thirty feet of overhanging ladder climbing and hundreds of feet of air beneath them!
Photo courtesy of Frank Stopa Photography
No. 7:
Opened in August 2021, Greenwood Rising is located near the gateway to Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District, once known as Black Wall Street. The museum honors the historical icons of Greenwood, memorializes those who died in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and brings to life the lessons of the past to inspire meaningful action in the present and future.
Photo courtesy of Brian Abeling
No. 6:
Opened in May 2021, Des Moines’ Lauridsen Stakepart is the largest open park in the United States. The park contains more than 88,000-square-feet of “skate-able” terrain and features multiple stake elements such as a promenade, skateable “WOW” sculpture, competitive street and park courses, a “snake run,” and a large spectator park. 10Best Contributor Eric Grossman raves, “Expect skateboarders from around the country to start making pilgrimages to this incredible setup.”
Photo courtesy of The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience/Frank Aymami
No. 5:
Covering thirteen southern states and more than three hundred years of history, the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience opened in the spring of 2021. The museum includes exhibition topics such as Colonial Jewry, Jews and the Civil War, Jews and the Civil Rights Movement, unique Southern Jewish foods, and famous Southern Jews. Explore the migration of Jews to the South, and understand their amazing stories and accomplishments.
Photo courtesy of Jay Rosenblatt Photography
No. 4:
If you can’t get enough of the hit television show Friends, then take a step inside their world at the FRIENDS Experience, available now in New York City and Dallas. Explore recreations of actual sets such as Joey and Chandler’s apartment, Monica and Rachel’s living room, or, at the New York City location, buy coffee and pastries at Central Perk. You can even poke Ugly Naked Guy in Dallas! Want more Friends to take home? Buy a FRIENDS Monopoly set or Gunther’s favorite – a Central Perk KeepCup, both available at the FRIENDS Experience Store.
Photo courtesy of Allegiant Stadium Tours
No. 3:
10Best Contributor Robert Niles shres, “The opulent new home of the Las Vegas Raiders opened for tours this year, allowing fans unprecedented access.” Led by expert hosts, the behind-the-scenes experience through Allegiant Stadium takes fans through ultra-exclusive areas such as the broadcast booth, private suites and clubs, and the locker rooms, with an added opportunity to walk on the playing field itself. Visitors can upgrade their experience to include a “Drink and a View,” which includes a panoramic view of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Exhibition Hub and Fever
No. 2:
If you’ve ever wondered how it would feel to step into a painting, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience gives you that opportunity. Available in several cities throughout the United States, meet Vincent van Gogh like never before, with a 360-degree light and sound spectacular. The Experience also includes galleries that chronicle his life and influence on the world of art through informative panels and engaging interactives. Take a journey in “A day in the life of the Artist” while you discover the inspiration behind his most iconic works.
Photo courtesy of Derek Cress
No. 1:
10Best Contributor Robert Niles reports, “One of the Smoky Mountain’s top tourist towns gets its own flying theater attraction, from the company that built the first flying theater rides.” SkyFly: Soar America at The Island in Pigeon Forge transports guests with a feeling-of-flight state-of-the-art ride and allows them to experience the unforgettable beauty of the United States. Complete with sounds, smells, and special effects, including wind and mist, a custom film whisks travelers away on an exhilarating six-minute journey to places they might otherwise never have the opportunity to see.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning attractions!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Robert Niles
Robert Niles is the founder and editor of Read More
Robert Niles is the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, an online consumers' guide to the world's leading theme and amusement parks, read by more than 400,000 people each month. It has been named the top theme park site on the Internet by Forbes and Travel + Leisure magazines and was a Webby Award finalist and winner of the Online Journalism Award, presented by the Online News Association and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Robert is a former Walt Disney World cast member and has worked as a reporter, editorial writer, columnist and website editor for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
Robert Niles
Robert Niles is the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, an online consumers' guide to the world's leading theme and amusement parks, read by more than 400,000 people each month. It has been named the top theme park site on the Internet by Forbes and Travel + Leisure magazines and was a Webby Award finalist and winner of the Online Journalism Award, presented by the Online News Association and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Robert is a former Walt Disney World cast member and has worked as a reporter, editorial writer, columnist and website editor for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
Tomiko Harvey
Tomiko has established herself as one of the most... Read More
Tomiko has established herself as one of the most recognized Black Travel writers and top champions of diversity in the travel industry. She gives voice to the underpaid and overlooked Black content creators through her platform and her work with the Black Travel Alliance. Tomiko’s journey inspires audiences to dream big. Through personable and articulate storytelling, she shares her visionary ideas for harnessing the power of observation and creative problem solving, applicable to any organization or community. It’s all about taking responsibility while looking for opportunities to improve. Check out Tomiko's work at Passports and Grub and follow her adventures on Instagram @tomiko.harvey.
Tomiko Harvey
Tomiko has established herself as one of the most recognized Black Travel writers and top champions of diversity in the travel industry. She gives voice to the underpaid and overlooked Black content creators through her platform and her work with the Black Travel Alliance. Tomiko’s journey inspires audiences to dream big. Through personable and articulate storytelling, she shares her visionary ideas for harnessing the power of observation and creative problem solving, applicable to any organization or community. It’s all about taking responsibility while looking for opportunities to improve. Check out Tomiko's work at Passports and Grub and follow her adventures on Instagram @tomiko.harvey.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
