Two South Carolina cities make Cond Nast Best Cities in US list

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Two South Carolina cities noted for their beauty have once again been named to a national ranking of best U.S. cities.

Charleston in the Lowcountry and Greenville in the Upstate have been named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Cities in the U.S. Reader’s Choice Awards.

Greenville comes in at No. 4 in the ranking of Top 10 cities, with Condé Nast noting its growing culinary and cocktail scene (Jiana gets a shoutout for its Italian fare; Vault & Vator for its “strong, well-crafted cocktail”) and proximity to natural resources, with the Swamp Rabbit Trail getting a mention.

Related content: Greenville named to top 10 US cities’ lists for beauty, affordability, food

Charleston takes the top spot (what a surprise!) in the ranking. Condé Nast says that while the Holy City is a small town it “punches well above its weight.” Charleston repeatedly tops the annual list, with Condé Nast its combination of “history, culture, food and charm.” Its nationally recognized food and culture get a mention, to go along with visitors being “rarely prepared for the city’s good looks.”

This is the second consecutive year, and 12th time in the last 13 years, that Charleston has topped the list, according to Dan Blumenstock, board chair of Explore Charleston and director of operations for Lowcountry Hotels.

“Retaining this title is a testament to the incredible people in the Charleston area, especially the over 51,000 dedicated employees in the local travel and hospitality industry,” Blumenstock said in a news release. “We never forget that readers determine these awards. Travelers today desire authentic experiences — genuine connections with communities, locals and their stories. Our region continues to deliver in a way that resonates with visitors.”

The College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis estimates tourism generated a record-high impact of $12.8 billion for the Greater Charleston Area in 2022, according to the release. Almost 25 cents of every dollar spent in the region is attributable to tourism.

You can read the full ranking here.