South Carolina Is Home To The Number 1 Small City In America
We love to share when places in the Carolinas are nationally recognized. Being even mentioned in lists is great. But when a North or South Carolina can top a positive…
We love to share when places in the Carolinas are nationally recognized. Being even mentioned in lists is great. But when a North or South Carolina can top a positive list, it's always a good day. And that's what happened in the recent CondeNaste Traveler Awards. They created a list of the best small cities in the US. South Carolina is the home of the number 1 small city in America. It's a city we know and love!
Charleston South Carolina
Coming in at number one on this list was Charleston, SC. This mecca of southern hospitality, culture, and cuisine is beloved by travelers from near and far. The city is full of rich history, incredible southern charm, and restaurants any foodie dreams about. The Holy City as it is known is characterized by lots of churches, stately Charleston homes including the famed Rainbow Row, cobblestone streets, and spectacular waterfront views. We often see Charleston recognized on a variety of lists including best places to travel, to live, best restaurants and bars, and even recently the best thing to do.
It's a place I love to visit from browsing in the market or shopping on King Street to walking around and enjoying the home and architecture of the city. I couldn't possibly try every restaurant I want to and I dream of bar hopping and the numerous rooftop and patio bars. Cocktails just taste better with a view do they not? I love to visit and some of my favorite influencers call Charleston home. Maybe this is a sign?
Also mentioned on this list at number four was Greenville, SC. Another city that is getting lots of positive recognition these days and one I certainly need to plan a visit back to. From the gorgeous downtown Falls Park, to the trendy bars and restaurants Greenville is thriving. CondeNaste describes Greenville as a "food lover’s town" specializing in the farm-to-table scene.
The other cities on this list are:
- Charleston, SC
- Santa Fe, NM
- Alexandria, VA
- Greenville, SC
- Savannah, GA
- Aspen, CO
- St. Augustine, FL
- Pensacola, FL
- Annapolis, MD
- Sedona, AZ
I've been lucky enough to visit half of these cities and if the ones I haven't visited are half as good as the one I have then they are in good company. You can read more about each of these cities and what makes them great via CondeNaste Traveler.
South Carolina Named In The Top 3 Most Charming States
When you think of charming what do you think of? When I hear the word two things come to mind- Prince Charming and Southern Charm. While I'm still waiting on Prince Charming I have experienced Southern charm and all that means. And when I was sent this information about the most charming states, I just had a feeling the South would be well represented. And it was. The data, shared with us by our friends at Oddspedia came from a survey of 5000 Americans. The researchers at Oddspedia asked each respondent the states they feel "embody the essence of Southern hospitality".
10. Mississippi
AndreyKrav/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.1
Politeness: 3.1
Helpfulness: 3.1
Friendliness: 3.1
Total: 12.3
It doesn't get much more south than Mississippi. They ranked 10th from other state's point of view but number 1 in their own minds.
9. Texas
Дмитрий Ларичев/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.1
Politeness: 3.0
Helpfulness: 3.1
Friendliness: 3.2
Total: 12.4
Everything is bigger in Texas. And the Lonestar state is charming just not the most charming.
8. Virginia
Wilsilver77/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.0
Politeness: 3.1
Helpfulness: 3.1
Friendliness: 3.2
Total: 12.4
Virginia is for lovers. Lovers are charming. See where I'm going here?
7. Alabama
Allard1/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.3
Politeness: 3.1
Helpfulness: 3.1
Friendliness: 3.2
Total: 12.8
Sorry, Alabama this is one national championship you didn't win. I do love watching Bama Rush though.
6. Kentucky
AndreyKrav/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.2
Politeness: 3.2
Helpfulness: 3.2
Friendliness: 3.3
Total: 12.8
Kentucky is the South, but somehow not the South at the same time. It's a battle of culture vs. location. But the Bluegrass state came in 6th on this list.
5. North Carolina
rarrarorro/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.3
Politeness: 3.4
Helpfulness: 3.4
Friendliness:3.4
Total: 13.4
Are you surprised North Carolina didn't score as charming as South Carolina? As a North Carolina resident I'm actually not.
4. Louisiana
rarrarorro/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.4
Politeness: 3.3
Helpfulness: 3.3
Friendliness: 3.4
Total: 13.5
I don't no much about Louisiana other than New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and football. But I suppose all of that is charming.
3. South Carolina
wellesenterprises/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.5
Politeness: 3.4
Helpfulness: 3.4
Friendliness: 3.5
Total: 13.8
And there we have it folks, South Carolina was the third most charming state. And with Charleston being almost my definition of southern charm I support this. But then there is downtown Myrtle Beach probably why SC didn't take the top spot. No hate to Myrtle Beach, but downtown at night isn't quite charming.
2. Georgia
benkrut/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.6
Politeness: 3.4
Helpfulness:3.4
Friendliness: 3.5
Total: 14.0
If Charleston is the first place I think of when I think of southern charm Savannah Georgia is the second. And it's second on this list.
1. Tennessee
AndreyKrav/Getty Images Royalty FreeSouthern Charm: 3.6
Politeness: 3.5
Helpfulness: 3.5
Friendliness: 3.6
Total: 14.1
And the most charming state? Tennessee takes the crown.
