New York Attractions Rank Among Best in Nation

USA Today readers voted three state landmarks as top haunted destinations and ghost tours.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Hotels

New York Attractions Rank Among Best in Nation

Live Poll

Do you prefer visiting highly-rated local seasonal attractions over more famous national destinations?

USA Today readers have recognized three New York attractions as some of the best in the country in a recent poll. The rankings highlight notable haunted hotels and ghostly experiences across the state.

Why it matters

The awards, determined by reader votes from a panel of expert nominations, highlight the appeal of New York's historic and supernatural tourism offerings. These rankings provide recognition for venues that lean into their local histories to attract seasonal visitors.

Fainting Goat Island Inn in Nichols, built as a railroad hotel in the 1850s, secured the 1st place spot for haunted hotels. Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake earned 5th place, while Brooklyn's 90-minute Madame Morbid's Trolley Tours ranked 7th nationwide.

The players

USA Today

This national media organization publishes the annual 10Best lists based on expert nominations and public polling.

Fainting Goat Island Inn

Located in Nichols, this historic property was originally built as a railroad hotel.

Hotel Saranac

Situated in Saranac Lake, this venue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Madame Morbid's Trolley Tours

This Brooklyn-based tour operator offers a 90-minute experience focused on local ghost lore.

The details

The selection process for these awards involved industry experts nominating various points of interest, followed by a public voting period to determine the final winners. These results were revealed in October 2026 to coincide with the Halloween season.

The Fainting Goat Island Inn was constructed in the 1850s.
The award rankings were revealed in October 2026.

Travel Outlook

These results follow the established pattern of the USA Today 10Best awards, which annually leverage public voting to identify top-tier tourist attractions. The recognition helps these specific sites stand out in a competitive, seasonally-driven market for travel destinations.

Travelers looking to visit these sites should plan for high seasonal interest, particularly during the Halloween window. Booking accommodations well in advance is recommended given their new national recognition as top-rated destinations.

The takeaway

These rankings demonstrate the ongoing popularity of historically significant and themed tourism in New York. Visitors can use these lists to plan excursions that offer both educational historical context and unique seasonal experiences.