The top 7 new tourist attractions around the world
While 2020 was a year marked by closures, lockdowns and travel being paused for most people, 2021 has been filled with reopenings, rebooked trips and new projects coming to life after a year put on hold.
The travel industry is still on the mend and facing challenges, but there is a lot to look forward to as we head into the holiday season and 2022. Here's a look at the top new tourist attractions you should consider putting on your travel list for next year.
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Summit One Vanderbilt
If you've been dreaming of views of the New York City skyline, check out Summit One Vanderbilt. It's the city's newest observation deck that sits above Grand Central Terminal.
The views are stunning, but that's not the only thing that Summit One Vanderbilt has to offer. Interactive art installations throughout the space offer unique new ways to experience the city.
Levitation "sky boxes" suspend visitors over the city, and the two-story mirrored space (Transcendence) transports travelers into what feels like a tesseract from "Interstellar." There's also a room called Affinity that's filled with silver balloons and mirrors.
But no matter where you are within the Summit One Vanderbilt space, you'll be sure to see a different view of the Big Apple in all its captivating beauty.
Related: 3 ways to experience New York City, whether you're on a budget or have money to burn
Munch Museum
Art lovers can head to the newly reopened Munch museum in Oslo, Norway. The museum, which houses the world's largest collection of art from Edvard Munch, first opened in May 1963, but it has undergone a major renovation in recent years. The new Munch museum opened in October and offers 11 galleries filled with more than 200 works of art on permanent display.
Tickets for adults are 160 NOK (about $18.50), but kids 15 and younger can visit for free.
Marvel's Avengers Campus at Disneyland
Of course, we can't talk about the best attractions without mentioning Disneyland's newest addition: Marvel's Avengers Campus.
If you're a fan of Marvel superheroes such as Spiderman, Black Widow and the Dora Milaje, you may have the chance to meet them while at the park. You can also check out attractions like Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure (the area's newest attraction) and Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!
No Disney park area would be complete without food options. Check out superhero favorites Pym Test Kitchen and Shawarma Palace while there.
Related: Everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland
Little Island
Another newly opened attraction in New York City you won't want to miss is Little Island. Head to Pier 54 along the Hudson River to experience this floating park made from 132 concrete platforms that sprout from the water like tulips.
The park offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city, with more than 100 trees, 350 different flower species and lots of activities for the entire family. The area also has an amphitheater (The Amph) that hosts all sorts of performances and events. There are nearby food trucks, too, so you can grab a bite to eat while visiting.
It's starting to get colder in New York, so you may want to hold off on visiting this spot until spring. But if you're planning a trip to New York during the warmer months, make sure you add this to your must-do list.
CopenHill climbing wall
Denmark is now home to the world's tallest artificial claiming wall. While CopenHill in Copenhagen, Denmark, technically opened in 2020, 2021 is the first year U.S. travelers really had the chance to check it out.
On the side of the almost 280-foot-tall building is a wall that expert climbers can scale. There are 10 routes to the top, all with varying levels of difficulty, but you'll need to be an experienced climber (and at least 18 years old) to take part. This is most certainly not for beginners.
The wall is the newest addition to CopenHill, which also offers a number of other outdoor activities. The building roof slopes down, providing an area filled with places to run, hike and even ski or snowboard.
Related: Denmark has reopened to fully-vaccinated US and UK travelers
Sky Lagoon
For those who prefer relaxation to an adrenaline rush, there's Iceland's new thermal spa near downtown Reykjavík. Sky Lagoon is an oceanside geothermal lagoon that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
Passes to the spa start at 6,990 ISK (around $54), but you can purchase more expensive passes that include a seven-step spa treatment called The Ritual.
If you're lucky (and time your visit right), you might even experience the northern lights while you take a tip in the warm waters of the lagoon.
Related: Iceland trip-planning from A to Z: Glaciers, geothermal spas and lava caves
'Game of Thrones' studio tour
No matter what you think of the final season of "Game of Thrones," I think we can all agree that the filming locations and set design were stunning. Many filming locations in Belfast, Ireland and Dubrovnik, Croatia, have been popular tourist spots for years, but a new studio tour is set to open at Linen Mills Studio in Northern Ireland at some point this year.
Related: Unbelievable castles from 'Game of Thrones' you can visit in real life
Once it officially opens (at the time of writing, the website promised a date sometime this year), the studio tour will take visitors through real sets used in the show with original set pieces, weaponry, props, costumes and more. The tour has been developed in partnership with HBO, and it is set to be the only permanent, officially licensed "Game of Thrones" experience in the world.
The studio is in the midst of hiring for the attraction now, so our fingers are crossed that the opening will stay on track for later this year. Winter is coming, after all.
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