This coastal Lowcountry favorite just claimed the title of no. 1 city in the South (again)—see all the winners

Charleston, South Carolina once again was named our readers' favorite city.

For history, music, art, food, and culture, there’s no better place to travel than a Southern city. This year, our reader-voted favorite cities represent the region, from the sunny shores of Florida to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains—and everywhere in between. One thing they all have in common? A sense of soul that’s palpable in the vibrant green spaces, award-winning restaurants, and local shops that make these places so special. From New Orleans to Nashville and Austin to Asheville, these are the best cities in the South, as voted on by our readers.

An online survey was conducted by third-party agency Proof Insights among Southern Living consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South. The survey was fielded from July 9 to September 9, 2025, and had over 17,000 respondents.

01 of 20

Tampa, Florida

The Sunshine State’s third-largest city has it all: a gorgeous view of the bay, excellent Cuban food, a thriving arts scene, and a fascinating history as “Cigar Capital of the World”. Explore historic Ybor City’s repurposed cigar factories and stroll the 2.6-mile Riverwalk, which passes by popular attractions like the Tampa Bay History Center, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and Armature Works food hall.

02 of 20

San Antonio, Texas

Every spring, San Antonio comes alive with the annual Fiesta festival, a celebration of colorful culture hallmarked by the Battle of Flowers Parade, which was started to honor heroes who fought for Texas independence at the Alamo. No matter what time of year you visit, make plenty of time to savor the best of the city’s exciting food scene, explore the buzzing Pearl District, and wander the city’s many parks and museums.

03 of 20

Charlotte, North Carolina

North Carolina’s largest city is best known for being a financial hub, but its booming food scene (the city stars in Top Chef’s latest season and had quite the showing in the new Michelin American South guide) is reason enough to visit. Add in colorful neighborhoods with distinct personalities, a host of professional sports teams, and lots of spirited events throughout the year—and you’ve got hundreds of other reasons to go.

04 of 20

Atlanta, Georgia

There’ll be no shortage of places to explore in this major Southern capital. Classic attractions like World of Coke, the Atlanta Aquarium, and the High Museum of Art (which celebrates its centennial this year) are perennial favorites. As is the BeltLine, a 22-mile loop that connects 45 neighborhoods with restaurants, watering holes, shops, and galleries sprinkled along its path. For a taste of the world, drive up and down Buford Highway to try international cuisines ranging from Malaysian to Venezuelan to Ethiopian.

05 of 20

Pensacola, Florida

Small towns may have the majority of oceanfront real estate, but Pensacola stakes its claim with more than 50 miles of white-sand shoreline. When you’re not soaking up the sun, take a break by exploring Historic Pensacola Village, which features 12 historic sites open to the public for exploring. Climb to the top of the historic Pensacola Lighthouse to take in panoramic views and grab a great meal downtown. Stay at Oyster Bay, a trendy boutique hotel in the heart of the action, or find a quieter spot facing the Gulf.  

06 of 20

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville's Bourbon Trail is beckoning—but so are its breweries, restaurants, art spaces, and more. Chart your course to visit top-name distilleries like Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey, but save plenty of time to explore NuLu, a walkable district known for its excellent shopping, dining, and nightlife, and find some live bluegrass music. Pick your type of stay, from the historic Brown Hotel to newcomer Hotel Genevieve. And don’t leave without seeing the magic at Churchill Downs. The adjoining museum and some areas of the track are open to visitors even when there’s not a race happening.

07 of 20

Austin, Texas

With a city slogan that celebrates being “weird”, you’re bound to find something unexpectedly delightful in this college town. Go paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake, dive into the deep blue water at Barton Springs, and enjoy some breakfast tacos to complete the Austin trifecta. You’ll also want to chow down on Tex-Mex (and a number of other world cuisines), find great coffee, and sample the local brews.

08 of 20

Orlando, Florida

Between Disney and Universal Orlando Resort (which debuted a new theme park and three new hotels in 2025), you’ll have quite the packed itinerary on a visit to Orlando, but beyond its star attractions, this city has plenty more to offer. Nearby freshwater springs are the best way to cool off in a tropical environment. There’s excellent boutique shopping, a diverse range of cuisines to sample, and lodging options suitable for any size or type of travel group.

09 of 20

Franklin, Tennessee

Credit: Matthew Maxey (Visit Franklin)

Once known as Nashville’s bucolic little sister, Franklin has blossomed in a way that most couldn’t have predicted. Despite its considerable growth, the community maintains its small-town sensibilities. The best way to experience its cozy character is with a leisurely stroll through the historic downtown, which is a hub for locally owned boutiques, bookshops, bakeries, restaurants, and more. When you’re craving nature, head to nearby Timberland Park for hiking trails, or hop on the Natchez Trace Parkway for a scenic drive.

10 of 20

Sarasota, Florida

This small city has endless appeal thanks to its stellar location on the bay. You can take in the views at Bayfront Park, find sun and sand at nearby beaches, and explore a world of wonder at the Ringling Museum complex, which includes an art museum, bayfront gardens, and a glass pavilion. Ca’ d’Zan, John Ringling’s former estate, also welcomes visitors to marvel at its Mediterranean-inspired splendor, and downtown Sarasota is brimming with great places to eat or grab a drink.

11 of 20

St. Petersburg, Florida

Colorful mural and world-class art museums set against the backdrop of the blue bay? Sign us up. St. Pete’s lively personality is evident in everything here—from the laidback tiki bars and fresh fish stands downtown to the quirky, curated shopping along Central Avenue. Soak in the excellent flora at Sunken Gardens, then hop over to nearby beaches to see the sea life.  In true Florida fashion, you can finish out your night by playing shuffleboard at the historic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club.

12 of 20

Greenville, South Carolina

This perfectly sized city has gained lots of traction in the past decade thanks to its easy walkability, ever-growing food scene, and beautiful outdoor spaces, including Falls Park on the Reedy with its iconic suspension bridge and waterfall, and Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 28-mile paved, multi-use path popular with leisurely bikers. Art, food, and music festivals add even more reasons to visit in every season.

13 of 20

Chattanooga, Tennessee

You can have the best of both worlds in this Tennessee riverfront city. It’s been named a great place to retire, but it also attracts a young and adventure-ready crowd. There are museums, performing arts venues, and a symphony. But there are also a plethora of opportunities to explore the outdoors for hikers, bikers, and kayakers. Any type of traveler will love to end their day with a great meal at Michelin-recommended spots like Easy Bistro, Main Street Meats, Little Coyote, or The Rosecomb.

14 of 20

Wilmington, North Carolina

Named our South’s Best City on the Rise in 2024, this coastal charmer has only continued to get better each year since. There’s not much you can’t find here. There’s a scenic river walk, a historic downtown, great dining, nearby beaches, historic attractions, beautiful gardens, and unique neighborhoods to explore.

15 of 20

Lexington, Kentucky

Kentucky’s capital is more than just bourbon and horses—though there’s a reason it’s known for both, and a distillery tour and visit to Keeneland Race Track should still be on your to-do list. See the colorful murals downtown, make a reservation for a nice dinner out, and take a detour to the nearby Shaker Village to buy artisan wares and see gorgeous farmland.

16 of 20

New Orleans, Louisiana

It’s one of those places everyone has to experience at least once, and hard to describe even if you’ve been a million times. The city is alive with art, music, culture, history, and food. A first trip is a little like drinking through a firehose. Even just the dining—with its long list of legendary restaurants and just-as-long list of award-winning new spots could fill a month’s itinerary. Pick and choose, then plot your return visit. There’s no way you won’t be back.

17 of 20

Nashville, Tennessee

Music is just one part of the equation in this fun-loving city that has experienced exponential growth in recent years. Beyond the Bachelorette parties and honky tonks on Broadway, the city shines with a decorated food scene, excellent local shopping, beautiful green spaces, and lots of opportunities to see professional sports and live music. New hotels with generous amenities and gorgeous design make the city more enticing than ever for a long weekend away.

18 of 20

Asheville, North Carolina

An artsy mountain town with a penchant for an ice-cold beer, farm-to-table plate, and afternoon hike, you can have it all on a trip to Asheville. Despite the widespread damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024, the city has bounced back, welcoming visitors with all the same energy that it has ever had. A visit to see the Biltmore is a bucket-list experience, but gallery hopping in the River Arts District, lunch at a new-school fish camp, and drinks at one of many cool, new cocktail bars are just as important.

19 of 20

Savannah, Georgia

Just being in the presence of Savannah’s charming Victorian homes and moss-draped oak trees will lower your blood pressure at least a few points, but once you take a stroll down River Street and sample a warm praline from River Street Sweets, you’ll have achieved full vacation bliss. If it’s your first time, add landmarks like Forsyth Park, Olde Pink House, and the SCAD Museum of Art to your must-visit list. New luxury hotels like Municipal Grand and Bardo up the vacation ante with sunny pool decks and swoon-worthy common spaces.

20 of 20

Charleston, South Carolina

The Holy City brings home the hardware for the 10^th year in a row, proving that what’s old can always be new again. Our readers will never tire of this Lowcountry gem’s sparkling harbor, charming historic architecture, and first-rate dining scene. With new hotels, restaurants, and attractions opening seemingly every month, there’s always something new to explore.