Charleston charms its way to being the best city in the U.S.

Charleston, South Carolina has been named the best city in the United States, for the 12th time in a row. Over 186,000 readers from Travel + Leisure’s annual World's Best Awards survey, ranked the Holy City as the best in the nation.

The accolade comes from Travel + Leisure’s annual World's Best Awards survey, which saw participation from over 186,000 readers this year.

Voters rated U.S. cities based on attractions, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and value. With an outstanding overall reader score of 87.99, Charleston outshone beloved destinations like Santa Fe, Savannah, Honolulu, and New Orleans in the top five.

"Charleston can compete with any European capital for its arts, entertainment, active lifestyle, and food," said one voter. Those surveyed voters liked the city's Southern hospitality, culinary scene, walkability, and historic architecture.

Beyond the beauty and cuisine, Travel + Leisure readers also mentioned that they come to the city for different trips and vacations.

While cities like New Orleans, Savannah, and Santa Fe maintained their rankings, the 2024 list has newcomers including Annapolis, Maryland, and Aspen, Colorado. This year's results show the growing interest in regional cultural attractions and outdoor destinations.

Texas secured dual rankings with Fort Worth and San Antonio, while New Mexico proudly represented Santa Fe and Taos in the top 15, pointing to Americans' appreciation for Southwestern splendor.

In a lens beyond Charleston's top spot, this year's results emphasized accessibility, local flavors, and distinctive character as deciding factors for experience-hungry travelers exploring America's diverse cities.