A New City Just Won Top U.S. Destination for the First Time — Ending a 12-Year Streak for a Southern Favorite
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Travel + Leisure just revealed the winners of its 2025 World's Best Awards
A new city topped the outlet's list of best U.S. destinations, ending a 12-year run for the previous champ
Charleston, S.C. had held the title since 2013
For the first time in 12 years, a new U.S. city has been crowned the best domestic destination by Travel + Leisure readers.On Tuesday, July 8, T+L released its annual World’s Best Awards. In a remarkable upheaval, Santa Fe, N.M. tops the list of best U.S. cities, ousting Charleston, S.C., which had held the title since 2013. The coastal city not only lost the top spot, it dropped to fourth place.
Known for its vibrant art scene, outdoor recreation and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Santa Fe, was described by one reader is “a true gem of a place in America.” “Every trip exceeds the last, with so many new things to discover,” another repeat visitor told the outlet, adding, “Santa Fe offers a multi-layer experience.”
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R15ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R25ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeT+L readers “raved” about the inventive New Mexican cuisine and the city’s natural beauty. Urban markets and galleries combine with the rolling foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges to make for a perfect getaway.
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The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in downtown Santa Fe.Celebrities are also fans of this Southwest culture capital.
The late Val Kilmer spent decades living in Santa Fe, as did Gene Hackman. Game of Thronesauthor George R. R. Martin also has deep roots in the community. In 2013, he pledged his own money to rejuvenate the local and historic Jean Cocteau Cinema.
Each year, T+L sends a survey out to readers through the magazine, tablet editions, newsletters, social media and travelandleisure.com that asks respondents to rate nominees in each category based on certain characteristics. For cities, readers were asked to rate sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value. Final scores are averages of these responses.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeWhile Santa Fe has had a spot in T+L's top 10 list for the past 20 years, this is its first time it has claimed No. 1.
Overall, readers were big fans of cities in the Southeast and Southwest, with only one city in the Northeast and one in the Midwest rounding out the top 10.
Santa Fe, N.M.
New Orleans, La.
Charleston, S.C.
Savannah, Ga.
Alexandria, Va.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Greenville, S.C.
New York, N.Y.
Asheville, N.C.
Chicago, Ill.
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Scenic view of landscape against sky during sunset, Santa Fe, New Mexico.Santa Fe was also the only U.S. city to make T+L’s list of top 25 cities in the world, coming in at No. 19. At the top spot, a 10-time honoree, is San Miguel de Allende, Mexico followed by Chiang Mai, Thailand and Tokyo, Japan.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1hekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2hekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeFor vacationers looking for an island getaway, Páros, Greece takes the top spot for best island. According to Forbes, big names like Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey and Jeff Bezos are frequent visitors. In the U.S., the top island goes to Mount Desert Island, Maine — a protected part of Acadia National Park.
“This year’s results reflect a travel landscape in motion,” Travel + Leisure’s editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford said in a press release. “From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place. We’re thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences.”
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See more from Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards in the July issue, on newsstands now, or visit travelandleisure.com.
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