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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
This NC city is ‘on the rebound' — and again ranks among best US places to visit
A rebounding North Carolina city is 'ready to welcome travelers' — and again ranks among the nation's best places to visit. Asheville is No. 9 on a list of cities that visitors love the most, according to results published July 8. The mountain tourist destination made its mark after missing the list last year. But it regained a spot in the rankings as travelers showed 'love for the city and hope for its revival, after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024,' Travel + Leisure magazine wrote in its report. To determine the fan-favorite U.S. travel destinations, 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 Asheville, NC a fan favorite? In the resulting World's Best Awards, Asheville was the only place in North Carolina to rank among the top 10 U.S. cities. Travel + Leisure said the 'artsy' destination is taking steps toward recovery after Hurricane Helene battered the area with storm damage and catastrophic flooding in September. 'Readers praised the North Carolina city for its hiking trails, craft beer, and funky art galleries,' the magazine wrote in its report. The honor adds to a list of accolades for Asheville. In June, CNN Travel named the mountain destination one of the nation's most interesting places to visit, calling it a city 'on the rebound.' The city, which has several tourist attractions that are open after the storm, received nods for its mountain views and food and drink scene. Earlier this year, Asheville also ranked among the nation's best cities for beer lovers and made a list of top destinations in the South, McClatchy News reported. This time around, Travel + Leisure said places that offer travelers a glimpse into history and a taste of regional foods received high marks in the best U.S. city 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.' Across the country, the top-ranked vacation spot was Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here are the other destinations that round out the top five: New Orleans at No. 2Charleston, South Carolina, at No. 3Savannah, Georgia, at No. 4Alexandria, Virginia, at No. 5 In addition to boasting winners in the U.S. cities category, places in North Carolina landed in the top 10 on another World's Best Awards list. Here's how they fared among the 'best resorts' in the South: High Hampton in Cashiers at No. 2The Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville at No. 3Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands at No. 7
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Miami Herald
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. 2Savannah, Georgia, at No. 4Alexandria, 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 islandsHilton Head Island at No. 9 among the best islandsWentworth Mansion in Charleston at No. 3 among the best city hotelsJohn Rutledge House Inn in Charleston at No. 9 among the best city hotels
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Miami Herald
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. 4Alexandria, 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 islandsHilton Head Island at No. 9 among the best islandsWentworth Mansion in Charleston at No. 3 among the best city hotelsJohn Rutledge House Inn in Charleston at No. 9 among the best city hotels
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Southern Living ranked the South's best cities. Here's where Wilmington stands
A popular lifestyle magazine named Wilmington among the best cities in the South. Wilmington is no stranger to 'top cities' lists. The Port City is the least likely U.S. city for you to catch a cold in, one of the best small cities for filmmakers and among U-Haul's top metro areas for growth. Wilmington holds the title for drunkest city in the state, ranking in the top 30 nationwide. Southern Living's 2025 'The South's Best Cities' has joined Wilmington's growing list of lists. The publication received over 10,000 responses to an online survey conducted by Proof Insights. The survey ran from July to August 2024 and asked readers to rate their favorite places across the South. Real estate in ILM: New Hanover's top 10 most expensive homes sold in 2024 Wilmington was voted the No. 13 city in the South. While it didn't earn the top spot, Wilmington was named Southern Living's No. 1 'City on the Rise' in 2024. The city also ranked higher than Birmingham, Alabama, where the magazine is based out of. Here's what Southern Living had to say about Wilmington: 'It's home to a lively riverfront and scenic historic district, beautiful gardens, and family-friendly attractions. Although there's plenty to see and do right in town, multiple beaches are just a short drive away.' The magazine recommends several well-trodden Wilmington staples, including the Riverwalk, Cargo District, and events such as the upcoming Azalea Festival. Southern Living also praised eateries including Indochine, Britt's Donut Shop and Seabird. Asheville was North Carolina's only other entry on the list, with Southern Living noting how residents and community leaders have banded together to help the city bounce back following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. For the ninth consecutive year, voters chose Charleston, South Carolina, as the best city in the South. Here are the cities that topped the list: Charleston, South Carolina Savannah, Georgia Asheville New Orleans Nashville, Tennessee Greenville, South Carolina, finished sixth, followed by St. Petersburg, Florida; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Atlanta; Lexington, Kentucky; Athens, Georgia; San Antonio; Wilmington; Franklin, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Birmingham, Alabama; Austin, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama and Annapolis, Maryland. Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover and Brunswick counties for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@ This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Southern Living: Wilmington, NC, ranked among South's best cities
