VIRGINIA — From major destinations to charming small towns, Southern Living’s new Best Cities in the South 2024 list covers a wide range of locations in the southern United States, with three Virginia cities making the list.
The magazine’s readers voted for their top 25 favorite cities in the South, from the big cities of Texas to the coasts of the Carolinas. Over 20,000 respondents contributed to the rankings.
Richmond, Virginia’s capital, ranked 18th. Southern Living cited Richmond’s strong culinary scene, historic district, and recreation areas around the James River.
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Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello School, ranked 20th. In addition to the city’s famous landmarks, the area is home to many restaurants, wineries, cideries, breweries, and the Blue Ridge Trail, according to Southern Living.
Alexandria, a tourist destination in its own right thanks to its historic Old Town district, was ranked 23rd. Just across the river from Washington, DC, this city offers cobblestone streets, locally owned boutiques, restaurants, and the Potomac River waterfront.
Charleston, South Carolina, a popular destination for U.S. travelers, topped the list. The top five cities also included Savannah, Georgia. Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans, Louisiana and Asheville, North Carolina.
