For a remarkable twelve consecutive years, Charleston, South Carolina, stood proudly as Travel + Leisure magazine’s No. 1 U.S. travel destination. In the 2025 annual readers’ poll, however, the Holy City slipped to third place. The newly crowned favorite is Santa Fe, New Mexico, followed closely by New Orleans, Louisiana, as fresh faces and storied cities reshuffle the hierarchy of beloved American travel spots.

The 2025 Travel + Leisure Rankings: A Changing of the Guard

Each year, Travel + Leisure, one of the industry’s most respected voices, invites its global readership to rate their favorite cities based on criteria such as landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value. In 2025, the magazine received an overwhelming response: nearly 180,000 readers cast more than 657,000 votes, weighing in on more than 8,700 properties, hotels, cities, cruise lines, and more.

This year, Santa Fe ascended to the top spot, garnering an impressive reader score of 88.80. The city was lauded for its inventive restaurants, vibrant art galleries, rich Native American and Hispanic heritage, as well as its stunning Southwestern landscape. New Orleans, famed for its jazz scene, culinary innovation, and unique blend of cultures, claimed second place with a reader score of 87.06. Charleston, the long-reigning champion, followed with a notable 87.01—still a strong showing despite the step down.

How Charleston Maintains Its Appeal

Despite the slip in ranking, Charleston remains a powerhouse of Southern hospitality and historic allure. The city’s celebrated past, cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and famous Rainbow Row still draw millions each year. Charleston boasts an enduring appeal, and its tourism sector shattered records in 2024 with an economic impact exceeding $14 billion, according to the College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis.

Travelers cite the city’s award-winning restaurants, thriving art culture, seaside parks, and welcoming atmosphere as top reasons for their visits. Charleston’s food scene consistently lands on national “best of” lists, with farm-to-table eateries and innovative chefs placing the city on the culinary map. Annual events, such as the Spoleto Festival USA and the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, continue to attract crowds from across the nation and the globe.

Local officials and tourism advocates view the third-place finish as a testament to sustained excellence amid growing competition. “Holding the top spot for over a decade is unprecedented,” says Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston. “Our community should be proud of its continued recognition as one of the nation’s very best destinations.”

Fresh Faces: Santa Fe and New Orleans

Santa Fe’s rise to the top highlights current travel trends with a preference for destinations offering authenticity, distinct cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. The city, renowned for its adobe structures, world-class museums, and the Santa Fe Opera, has invested in sustainable tourism and destination marketing, seeing record visitor spending in recent years. Tourism officials there predict even greater gains thanks to the added publicity.

New Orleans’ perennial popularity was amplified this year by readers praising its enduring music scene, thriving culinary innovations (including a new generation of Creole and Cajun chefs), and resurgence in boutique hotels throughout the French Quarter and beyond. The Big Easy continues its economic rebound post-pandemic, with 2024 seeing visitor spending rebound to near-record levels, according to the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.

Regional Standouts and Trends in US Travel

The 2025 Travel + Leisure list also showcased the Southeast’s continued dominance as a tourism hotbed, with Savannah, Georgia, and Alexandria, Virginia, both making the top five. Greenville, South Carolina—another Palmetto State gem—earned a spot at No. 7, highlighting the region’s draw for those seeking walkable downtowns, food-driven tourism, and historical significance.

The past year has seen a broad recovery in US travel and tourism, buoyed by pent-up demand, declining fears of the pandemic, and a renewed interest in domestic destinations. According to the U.S. Travel Association, national leisure travel is expected to surpass $1.1 trillion in 2025, underscoring just how vital this sector has become for regional and national economies alike. Cities that blend authenticity with innovation, such as those atop this year’s T+L rankings, are especially well-positioned to capture traveler attention.

Charleston’s Path Forward

Charleston’s slide to third place is not seen as a setback by many in the local tourism sector, but rather as a challenge and an opportunity for renewal. City leaders continue to emphasize efforts to preserve the historic charm and unique character that sets Charleston apart, while also expanding investments in sustainable tourism and modern amenities.

The city’s airport recently broke ground on a new international terminal, aiming to attract even more overseas visitors. Local hotel and restaurant associations are stepping up staff training programs to ensure service standards remain among the best in the nation. Major capital projects, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure improvements, and support for small businesses are all on the docket for 2025 and beyond.

The Mayor’s Office and Explore Charleston are also investing in marketing campaigns designed to highlight the city’s evolving food, arts, and festival scenes, strategically targeting both repeat visitors and a new generation of travelers.

Still Among America’s Best

While Charleston may have been dethroned, its enduring reputation, unmatched charm, and booming tourism economy signal that it will remain a favorite well into the future. Whether it reclaims the No. 1 spot or not, the city is well embedded in the hearts of passionate travelers seeking history, hospitality, and a taste of the South—keeping its status as one of America’s greatest places to visit alive and well.

For the complete 2025 Travel + Leisure U.S. Cities rankings, see the full list here.