NYC snubbed in new ranking of the best cities in the US
In a popular new ranking of the so-called greatest cities in the country, New York failed to crack the top five — losing out to a string of obviously lesser locales.
The snub came courtesy of Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards survey, which annually asks its well-heeled — and well-traveled — readers to weigh in on their favorites in multiple categories.
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5 The Big Apple didn't make the grade in a brand-new ranking of the best cities in the United States.
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This year, the 180,000 voters seemed to strongly favor smaller cities — elevating little Santa Fe, New Mexico to first place in the metropolitan marathon with a score of 88.8 out of 100, edging out 12-time blue ribbon winner Charleston, SC.
Urban hubs were rated on several criteria — sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value.
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For each category, respondents were asked to provide a rating of poor to excellent. Travel + Leisure then calculated the average of the reader responses and gave each city a total score out of 100.
Readers dubbed New Mexico's capital city a 'true gem of a place,' praising its inventive cuisine, natural beauty — the metropolis sits at 7,000 feet above sea level at the foothills of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range — as well as its markets and art galleries.
Clocking in second was New Orleans, Louisiana (87.06), with readers honing in on the Big Easy's kaleidoscopic culinary scene.
5 Santa Fe, New Mexico was praised for its inventive cuisine and scenic vistas.
SeanPavonePhoto – stock.adobe.com
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Defending champ Charleston, South Carolina dropped two rungs to third place with a score of 87.01.
Readers focused on the city's downtown, which retains its period charm, as well as the gorgeous architecture.
'Charleston's laws of keeping every building under the height of its tallest church, keeps the city unique, quaint and charming,' fawned one.
5 An aerial view of Charleston, South Carolina, which was dethroned after 12 years at the top of the rankings.
FRANKLIN – stock.adobe.com
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5 New Orleans took second place in the new rankings.
Kevin Ruck – stock.adobe.com
In fact, T+L readers seemed to be overwhelmingly Southern charmed by cities sitting below the Mason-Dixon line.
Rounding out the top five list were Savannah, Georgia (86.64) and the nation's capital-adjacent burg of Alexandria, Virginia (85.26).
Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, New York City — home of the most billionaires in the world and TripAdvisor's number one destination for 2025 — managed an embarrassing 8th place in the rankings, with a score of 83.84.
5 Savannah, Georgia, is one of the top 5 cities in the US in 2025, according to Travel + Leisure.
Jacob – stock.adobe.com
It notably trailed Greenville, South Carolina, a sleepy Upstate town that has enjoyed a surge of development in recent years.
Readers specifically praised NYC's theater scene, with one respondent gushing, 'can't be beat for quality and variety — even the theaters themselves are beautiful.'
The best cities in the US in 2025
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Santa Fe, New Mexico New Orleans, Louisiana Charleston, South Carolina Savannah, Georgia Alexandria, Virginia Honolulu, Hawaii Greenville, South Carolina New York, New York Asheville, North Carolina Chicago, Illinois
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