Santa Fe Replaces Charleston as Top US Travel Destination

Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been named the No. 1 U.S. travel destination by Travel + Leisure in 2025, ending Charleston, South Carolina's 12-year streak at the top. The city was praised for its inventive cuisine, natural beauty, and vibrant urban art scene, benefiting from over 300 days of sunshine and its location in the Sangre de Cristo mountain foothills. New Orleans secured the second spot, noted for its jazz music, festivals, unique dining including Creole and Cajun cuisine, and independent hotels. Charleston fell to third place but remains beloved for its historic charm, Southern hospitality, and coastal allure, with several local hotels and resorts also receiving top honors in various categories. Other notable mentions include Savannah, Georgia at fourth and Alexandria, Virginia at fifth, with Greenville, South Carolina entering the top 15. The rankings reflect travelers' evolving interests in distinctive cultural experiences, food, and natural beauty across diverse American cities.