USA TODAY 10Best
Wonders of Wildlife crowned 2017's Best New Attraction!
Best New Attraction (2018)
From waterparks and theme parks to museums and performance spaces, travelers were treated to a host of new attractions in 2017. With the help of a panel of travel experts, we combed the country for the best new attractions of the year, then asked our readers to vote for their favorites from a pool of 20 nominees.
The top 10 winners in the category Best New Attraction are as follows:
- ARTECHOUSE - Washington, D.C.
- MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation - Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Songbirds Guitar Museum - Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Newport Car Museum - Newport, R.I.
- Museum of the American Revolution - Philadelphia
- Evel Knievel Museum - Topeka, Kan.
- Museum of the Bible - Washington, D.C.
- Elvis Presley's Memphis - Memphis
- Morgan's Inspiration Island - San Antonio
- Wonders of Wildlife - Springfield, Mo.
No. 10:
Washington's ARTECHOUSE isn't your typical art gallery. Instead, it's an immersive, interactive space designed for showcasing experimental, large-scale installations by the world's most cutting edge artists.
Photo courtesy of Jason Rick / MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
No. 9:
New to Santa Barbara in 2017 is MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. Comprising three floors of interactive exhibits, this new museum invites curious minds of all ages to explore themes like new tech, music, physical forces, speed and light.
Photo courtesy of Songbirds Guitar Museum
No. 8:
Music history comes alive in Chattanooga's new Songbirds Guitar Museum, where the storied 4,000-year history of the guitar is traced through a collection of rare and vintage instruments, as well as exhibits highlighting how the guitar developed in various regions of the United States and ultimately impacted history.
Photo courtesy of Newport Car Museum
No. 7:
The Newport Car Museum, New England's newest attraction, showcases a private collection of more than 60 automobiles from six decades, each a work of art in its own right.
Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA
No. 6:
The Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia's newest museum, tells the story of our nation's war for independence through a collection of weapons, letters, personal items and works of art, as well as hands-on exhibits that bring the Revolutionary Era to life.
Photo courtesy of Evel Knievel Museum
No. 5:
America's most famous daredevil is honored at the new Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas. Exhibits include his physics-defying bikes, battered helmets, star-spangled costumes and even a virtual reality experience that lets visitors perform one of his iconic stunts.
Photo courtesy of Museum of the Bible
No. 4:
The Bible is one of the most read books on the planet, and visitors of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to learn more about its history and impact in DC's new Museum of the Bible. The permanent collection includes art and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods.
Photo courtesy of Robert Dye / Graceland
No. 3:
Fans of The King are in for a treat thanks to the opening of Elvis Presley's Memphis, a 200,000-square-foot expansion of the iconic Graceland complex that showcases the life and career of Elvis through his costumes, movies, car collection and other memorabilia.
Photo courtesy of Robin Jerstad/Jerstad Photographics
No. 2:
Morgan's Inspiration Island opened in the summer of 2017 as the world's first ultra-accessible splash park, where guests of all ages and abilities can cool off and have fun.
Photo courtesy of Wonders of Wildlife
No. 1:
Founded by Johnny Morris, CEO of Bass Pro Shops, Springfield's Wonders of Wildlife celebrates hunting, fishing and stewardship of the land and water through 1.5 miles of immersive galleries featuring 4D dioramas and a new aquarium.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Marla Cimini (USA TODAY), Eric Grossman, Gerrish Lopez and Christopher Parr (Pursuitist) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of American travel.
Congratulations to all these winning new 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.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
