Two South Carolina cities rank among the best US travel destinations. Here’s why
South Carolina is home to two of the nation’s best places to visit, a new report finds.
Charleston ranks No. 3 and Greenville is No. 7 on a list of cities travelers love the most, according to results published July 8.
While Charleston has spent years ranking as a fan-favorite destination, Greenville received a nod for making a “strong debut” on the list from Travel + Leisure.
To choose the best U.S. vacation spots, the magazine 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.
What makes the SC destinations fan favorites?
In the resulting World’s Best Awards, Charleston was the highest-ranking South Carolina destination in the best U.S. cities category. 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.”
Across the country, 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.”
Nationwide, the top-ranked vacation spot was Santa Fe, New Mexico. The other destinations that round out the top five:
- New Orleans at No. 2
- Savannah, Georgia, at No. 4
- Alexandria, Virginia, at No. 5
In addition to boasting winners in the best cities category, 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
