July 11, 2025

Charleston Falls to No. 3 in Travel Rankings

News Summary

Charleston, South Carolina, has dropped to third place in Travel + Leisure’s ‘Best U.S. City’ rankings, ending a 12-year reign at the top. Santa Fe, New Mexico, takes the first position, with New Orleans in second. This year’s survey featured hundreds of thousands of responses and highlighted shifts in traveler preferences towards cities offering meaningful experiences. Charleston still boasts its renowned hospitality and strong tourism economy, contributing $14 billion to the local economy.

Charleston, South Carolina, has officially dropped to No. 3 in Travel + Leisure’s “Best U.S. City” rankings after an impressive 12-year reign at the top. The announcement, made in a press release on July 8, 2025, indicates that Santa Fe, New Mexico, has claimed the top-ranked city position, while New Orleans follows closely behind at No. 2.

The annual rankings rely on a collaborative effort between Travel + Leisure and Proof Insights, engaging readers through a survey conducted from October 21, 2024, to February 24, 2025. This year, the survey garnered hundreds of thousands of responses, influencing the final rankings.

Charleston received a reader score of 87.01, which trails behind Santa Fe’s score of 88.80 and New Orleans’ score of 87.06. Despite this slip in ranking, the city continues to be celebrated for its well-known historical charm and renowned Southern hospitality.

In addition to Charleston’s notable ranking, another South Carolina city, Greenville, made a strong entrance into the rankings at No. 7. Known for its vibrant local restaurant scene and stunning outdoor spaces, particularly the Reedy River that flows through downtown, Greenville has rapidly gained recognition as a travel destination.

The tourism industry in Charleston remains robust, contributing approximately $14 billion to the local economy and supporting nearly 55,000 jobs last year. This indicates the city’s sustained status as a vital hub for visitors. Travel + Leisure’s editor-in-chief acknowledged Charleston’s impressive 12-year streak atop the rankings, emphasizing its lasting appeal among travelers.

The rise of Santa Fe to the top can be attributed to its distinctive combination of art, history, and Southwestern culture. The city is also well-known for its exceptional cuisine and natural beauty, drawing around 3 million visitors annually, similar to Charleston’s tourism levels.

Travel + Leisure’s rankings saw over 657,000 votes collected across more than 8,700 properties, also encompassing other categories like hotels and resorts. Within the top 10 rankings, other prominent cities included Savannah, Georgia, and Alexandria, Virginia, exemplifying a strong representation of the Southeast.

The magazine highlighted that today’s travelers are increasingly favoring cities that boast walkable streets and offer dynamic food and cultural experiences. Both Santa Fe and Charleston have been noted to share qualities of authentic storytelling and preserved history, yet they differ considerably in their geographic settings—Charleston on the coast and Santa Fe nestled in the mountains.

The shifting rankings reflect an evolving trend where travelers prioritize meaningful experiences and genuine hospitality over traditional tourist attractions. As tastes and preferences continue to change, cities that can adapt to these demands will likely find themselves favored by visitors.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON

The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.