This SC travel spot ranked No. 1 for 12 years — until now. Which cities top it?
A South Carolina travel destination ranked No. 1 for more than a decade — until now.
After 12 years of reigning as the nation’s favorite place to visit, Charleston lost its crown. The popular tourist destination fell to No. 3 on a new list from Travel + Leisure.
Now, the top-ranked city is Santa Fe, New Mexico, followed by New Orleans at No. 2, the magazine wrote in a July 8 news release.
To determine the best vacation spots across the country, Travel + Leisure teamed up with researchers at Proof Insights. From Oct. 21, 2024, to Feb. 24, it received hundreds of thousands of responses in an online reader survey. For cities, scoring criteria included “sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping” and value, according to the magazine’s website and details shared with McClatchy News via email.
The results determined the winners of the annual World’s Best Awards, which also featured a new South Carolina location in the best U.S. cities category. Greenville ranked No. 7, making for a “strong debut” on the list, the magazine wrote in its report.
Why visitors love Charleston, SC
Charleston is no stranger to being honored as a beloved getaway destination, having ranked on similar lists from Tripadvisor and Southern Living. This time, Travel + Leisure said fans raved about its architecture and charming downtown.
“After 12 straight years at the top of the list, this coastal escape has moved into the third spot,” the magazine wrote. “Still, there’s much to adore about the Holy City, which is brimming with history and Southern hospitality.”
Meanwhile, Greenville was praised for being a hidden gem in the Southeast, a region that boasts several destinations in the top 10.
“A newcomer to the list, this mid-size city was described as one of the South’s ‘best kept secrets,’” the magazine wrote. “Visitors appreciated the high number of locally-owned restaurants and the proximity to the outdoors — the Reedy River, which flows right through downtown, also provides a peaceful setting.”
Nationwide, places that offer travelers a glimpse into the past and a taste of regional foods received high marks in the rankings.
“When choosing city escapes in the United States, travelers continue to seek destinations with pedestrian-friendly streets, dynamic arts and culture institutions, and excellent food,” the magazine wrote in its report. “For many visitors, it was also important to have access to activities that suit everyone, whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or as a multigenerational family.”
After Santa Fe, New Orleans and Charleston, here are the destinations that round out the top five:
- Savannah, Georgia, at No. 4
- Alexandria, Virginia, at No. 5
In addition to boasting winners in the best cities category, other places in South Carolina made their mark in the top 10 on other World’s Best Awards lists. Here’s where those destinations landed in the continental U.S. rankings:
- Kiawah Island at No. 7 among the best islands
- Hilton Head Island at No. 9 among the best islands
- Wentworth Mansion in Charleston at No. 3 among the best city hotels
- John Rutledge House Inn in Charleston at No. 9 among the best city hotels
