Which are the best cities in the South? 3 are in North Carolina, says Southern Living
Southern Living magazine put three North Carolina cities on their 2023 list of Best Cities of the South, in a ranking released earlier this year.
Raleigh, Charlotte and Asheville were listed in the top 20 southern cities.
Here’s the full list with rankings:
Charleston, South Carolina
Savannah, Georgia
Asheville, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
New Orleans, Louisiana
Greenville, South Carolina
Chattanooga, Teneessee
Alpharetta, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Charlotte, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Fort Worth, Texas
Franklin, Tennessee
Orlando, Florida
Birmingham, Alabama
Dallas, Texas
Huntsville, Alabama
Bentonville, Arkansas
Richmond, Virginia
Find information about all these cities at southernliving.com/souths-best/cities.
Asheville, NC ranked #3 best southern city
“Western North Carolina’s favorite city is Asheville, a place with many claims to fame, including the storied Biltmore Estate and the majestic Blue Ridge vistas that surround it,” Southern Living wrote.
“In addition to the city’s many breweries — you’d be hard pressed to find another region as richly steeped in the stuff — it’s a hub for hiking as well as arts and culture, with several arts districts offering gallery and studio space for the city’s creatives.”
To read Southern Living’s guide to Asheville breweries, head to southernliving.com/travel/north-carolina/asheville-breweries.
Charlotte, NC ranked #11 best southern city
“The Queen City is on everyone’s radar, and that’s where it belongs. Charlotte is a financial epicenter, sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in fun. Quite the opposite: Charlotte’s food scene has never been better,” Southern Living wrote.
“Spots like Greg and Subrina Collier’s Leah and Louise keep the city well fed (try to snag a reservation!), and sprawling parks, big-name concerts, and great museums keep everyone entertained.”
To read Southern Living’s guide to visiting the city, which includes dining and entertainment recommendations, head to southernliving.com/travel/north-carolina/charlotte-nc.
Raleigh, NC ranked #12 best southern city
“Raleigh is in the midst of a revival. Consistently voted one of the best places to live in the country, it’s packed with passionate entrepreneurs, chefs, and creatives fashioning new experiences across the city,” Southern Living wrote.
“That’s evident in the community’s many lauded restaurants, places like Brewery Bhavana, Poole’s Diner, Boulted Bread, and Gallo Pelón. The free-admission North Carolina Museum of Art is another must-visit spot in the City of Oaks.”
To read Southern Living’s guide to visiting Raleigh (and Durham and Chapel Hill too), which includes dining and entertainment recommendations, head to southernliving.com/travel/north-carolina/research-triangle-nc.
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