Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been named the best city in the United States by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, unseating Charleston, South Carolina, from the top spot it held in the previous year. New York City, often considered a premier tourist destination, ranked eighth in the publication's annual World's Best Awards.
The rankings, determined by reader votes, highlighted Santa Fe for its vibrant food and arts scene and its appeal as a four-season destination. The New Mexico capital, known for its Pueblo-style architecture and historic plaza, received an overall score of 88.5.
Charleston, which garnered an 87.3 score, was praised by readers for its "excellent restaurants," "Southern hospitality," and "beauty and history." The South Carolina city has also seen significant population growth, posting the highest net migration per capita in the country in 2025.
The Southern U.S. continued to perform well on the list, with Savannah, Georgia, and New Orleans, Louisiana, securing third and fourth place, respectively. Chicago earned the highest ranking among large cities, coming in fifth overall. Travel + Leisure editors noted Chicago's appeal as a large city that is less crowded and fast-paced than New York but still offers a multitude of activities.
Fort Worth, Texas, ranked sixth, described as a city that "proudly channels the spirit of the American West." Honolulu, Hawaii, followed in seventh place, narrowly beating New York City by 0.06 points.
New York City, despite its status as a major global hub, has faced recent challenges to its tourism appeal. A separate survey indicated that New York is among the most regretted travel destinations for U.S. travelers, with 9% wishing they could have a different experience. Additionally, the city has not yet fully recovered its pre-pandemic tourism numbers.
Interestingly, while its travel rankings have dipped, New York City was also named the most "sinful" city in the U.S. in another recent assessment, surpassing Las Vegas in metrics related to nightlife venues and sexually transmitted infection cases.
The top 10 cities for 2026, according to Travel + Leisure readers, are:
- Santa Fe, NM
- Charleston, SC
- Savannah, GA
- New Orleans, LA
- Chicago, IL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Honolulu, HI
- New York, NY
- Alexandria, VA
- Greenville, SC