Charleston Named No. 1 Small City in the U.S. for 15th Time in 16 Years
Charleston, South Carolina has been named the No. 1 small city in the United States in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, announced October 6. It is the 15th time in 16 years that the Holy City has taken the top spot, extending one of the most dominant runs in the history of the awards.
Readers praised Charleston's historic streets, renowned food scene, gracious hospitality, and walkable downtown. The city's blend of antebellum architecture, waterfront views, and Lowcountry cuisine continues to draw millions of visitors a year.
Local tourism officials said the recognition is a testament to the city's residents and hospitality workers, and comes as Charleston balances record tourism with quality-of-life concerns for locals, including traffic and housing costs.
The Readers' Choice Awards are among the most prestigious honors in the travel industry, based on votes from hundreds of thousands of Condé Nast Traveler readers worldwide.
(Source: Condé Nast Traveler)
Source: Condé Nast Traveler
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Donald West，CC BY 2.0（Wikimedia Commons）
