New York is among the world's most famous cities, and it's no surprise that it has some of the most popular venues on our platform. Each year we recognize the venues that truly stand out. This year’s New York Remarkable Venue Awards (RVAs) featured nominees for Best Museum, Best Attraction, Best Family Attraction, Most Unique Attraction, Most Iconic Attraction, Best Exhibition, and Most Remarkable Venue.
The winners were selected based on over 12,000 customer reviews, and a panel of our very own cultural experts who looked out for venues providing fantastic visitor experiences.
All nominated venues joined us at Butter restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, where they enjoyed some traditional American fare right next to Times Square.
Here are the New York winners of the 2019 Most Remarkable Venue Awards.
Best Family Attraction: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
While any of the below nominees would make for a great family day out, the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum was this year's winner. Combining family fun with informative history, this amazing venue lets people of all ages enjoy interactive exhibits, learn more about their shared history, and even try out unique flight simulators. With a perfect five out of five stars on Tiqets, over 250 reviewers have praised the museum's displays, major artifacts, and knowledgeable guides. Some of the staff members actually served on the USS Intrepid!
"Well worth it. Just an amazing experience with my son. Relatively easy to get to. Great exhibits. Awesome volunteers. A great experience!" - Ken, United States
Full list of nominees: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York Aquarium, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square, Luna Park, Hornblower Cruises & Events
Best Museum: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
New York is known for its amazing art and cultural scene, making 'Best Museum' an especially difficult category to win. The Guggenheim's world-class modern art collection, combined with nearly 300 overwhelmingly positive reviews on Tiqets, made it stand out the most this year. An architectural landmark in itself, this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed treasure trove hosts some of the world's best artworks.
"I enjoyed my first visit to the Guggenheim, the space is beautiful and inspired me to do art again." - Patricia, United States
Full list of nominees: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art
Best Attraction: One World Observatory
As it stands, the One World Observatory is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and one of New York's most visited attractions. Over 2,500 reviews on Tiqets rave about the stunning 360° views of the city, informative talks, and even its impressive elevators. It's the perfect place to get a bird's-eye view of the city that never sleeps, and is an absolute must for first-time visitors.
"Awesome experience even for someone who has vertigo!!! Everybody in the world will love this unforgettable view! AMAZING what humans can create." - Niels, the Netherlands
Full list of nominees: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Bronx Zoo, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, Empire State Building
Best Exhibition: Whitney Museum of American Art
With so many reviews praising the museum's thought-provoking exhibits (particularly the popular Warhol exhibition), we couldn't look past the Whitney Museum of American Art for this category. Guests also frequently commented on the beautiful architecture and layout of the building, as well as the views from the eighth-floor terrace.
"The Andy Warhol exhibit at Whitney was amazing, I spent 5 hrs at the museum and enjoyed it so much! Beautiful museum!" - Dana, United States
Full list of nominees: Whitney Museum of American Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Botanical Garden,
The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Most Unique Attraction: Color Factory
It's hard to argue with a giant, adult-friendly ball pit. The Color Factory is one of the most vibrant attractions in New York, and has been a big hit on the Tiqets platform since going live earlier this year. Reviews praise its interactive exhibits, friendly staff, and some even recommend it as a great first date spot.
"Loved it! The treats were a very pleasant surprise. Definitely coming back!" - Doreen, United States
Full list of nominees: Gulliver's Gate, National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, SPYSCAPE, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Color Factory
Most Iconic Attraction: Empire State Building
In a city full of famous landmarks, one rose above the rest. The Empire State Building is one of the most famous towers in the world, having appeared in films from King Kong to Independence Day. Since its completion in 1931, it's cemented itself as a true global icon. With over 1,100 glowing reviews on Tiqets, the key points most reviewers enjoyed were the amazing views and helpful staff.
"Fun to watch other people, especially from other countries. It made me realize more fully that New York City and its landmarks, such as the Empire State Building, are icons to the entire world, not just USA citizens." - Leonard, United States
Full list of nominees: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock, The Museum of Modern Art
Most Remarkable Venue: American Museum of Natural History
At the American Museum of Natural History, visitors can stand underneath the largest animal that ever lived, get up close and personal with a Tyrannosaurus rex, and explore everything from the depths of the ocean floor to the furthest reaches of our galaxy. In one word? Remarkable.
Tiqets reviews focus on the museum's fascinating exhibitions, family-friendly attractions, and one user described Neil deGrasse Tyson's 'Dark Universe' show at Hayden Planetarium as "a near-spiritual experience."
Despite particularly strong competition in this category, the American Museum of Natural History is the deserved winner of this year's Most Remarkable Venue award.
"It was an amazing experience. My foreign relatives visiting were in awe. The Planetarium show was awesome! I would recommend everybody to visit the AMNH whenever in New York. ?" - Mirtha, United States
Full list of nominees: American Museum of Natural History, Museum of the City of New York, Color Factory, Broadway, KGB Espionage Museum
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Tiqets Remarkable Venue Awards
The Tiqets Remarkable Venue Awards were established to recognize and celebrate the best attractions and experiences in the most visited cities around the world. The first Tiqets RVAs were hosted in Paris in 2017, with winners including the Musée d’Orsay and Fondation Louis Vuitton. Now, Tiqets awards outstanding venues in six cities each year: Amsterdam, London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, and New York City.