Southern Living names Asheville one of the best Southern cities in 2024

ASHEVILLE - Asheville’s creative community and abundant nature offerings are just two reasons attributed to it being named one of the best places in the South.

On March 6, Southern Living, a media company based in Birmingham, Alabama, announced its 2024 South’s Best Award winners.

The eighth annual series pays recognition to readers’ Southern destinations and experiences.

Asheville ranked No. 5 on the list of South’s Best Cities.

The South's Best Awards were based on the ratings of more than 20,000 Southern Living consumers, who were asked about their favorite places across the South, in a survey conducted by third-party agency Proof Insights from July 12 to August 23, 2023.

Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Mountains and its hiking trails, the craft beer and culinary scene, and the “close-knit community of artists” were attributed to what gives Asheville its “quirky flair.”

Asheville was topped by four other Southern cities.

New Orleans claimed the No. 4 spot, Nashville, Tennessee came in at No. 3, and Savannah, Georgia landed at No. 2.

Returning champion, Charleston, South Carolina was ranked No. 1 for the eighth consecutive year.

View the full list at southernliving.com.

South’s Best Award winners will be featured in the April edition of Southern Living, which will feature Matthew and Camila McConaughey on the cover, on sale March 22, and online.

South’s Best Award categories include South’s Best Cities on the Rise, Best Small Town in Every State, Best New Restaurants, Best BBQ in Every State and more.

Blowing Rock was selected for North Carolina as the Best Small Town in Every State.

Stories you may have missed:

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• Cutting-edge exhibition, Chihuly at Biltmore, opening this spring in Asheville

• Asheville's beer community embraces other craft beverage styles, new events on horizon

• From intern to owner: An Asheville chef's journey, plans for downtown restaurant

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Southern Living names Asheville for South's Best Awards