We\u2019re not king of the hill \u2014\u00a0or top of the heap. <\/p>\n
In a popular new ranking of the so-called greatest cities in the country, New York failed to crack the top five \u2014\u00a0losing out to a string of obviously lesser locales.<\/p>\n
The snub came courtesy of Travel + Leisure\u2019s 2025 World\u2019s Best Awards survey, which annually asks its well-heeled \u2014\u00a0and well-traveled \u2014\u00a0readers to weigh in on their favorites in multiple categories. <\/p>\n
The Big Apple didn\u2019t make the grade in a brand-new ranking of the best cities in the United States. Getty Images<\/p>\n
This year, the 180,000 voters seemed to strongly favor smaller cities \u2014\u00a0elevating little Santa Fe, New Mexico to first place in the metropolitan marathon with a score of 88.8 out of 100, edging out 12-time blue ribbon winner Charleston, SC.<\/p>\n
Urban hubs were rated on several criteria \u2014\u00a0sights\/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value.<\/p>\n
For each category, respondents were asked to provide a rating of poor to excellent. Travel + Leisure then calculated the average of the reader responses and gave each city a total score out of 100.<\/p>\n
Readers dubbed New Mexico\u2019s capital city a \u201ctrue gem of a place,\u201d praising its inventive cuisine, natural beauty \u2014 the metropolis sits at 7,000 feet above sea level at the foothills of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range \u2014 as well as its markets and art galleries.<\/p>\n
Clocking in second was New Orleans, Louisiana (87.06), with readers honing in on the Big Easy\u2019s kaleidoscopic culinary scene.<\/p>\n
Santa Fe, New Mexico was praised for its inventive cuisine and scenic vistas. SeanPavonePhoto \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
Defending champ Charleston, South Carolina dropped two rungs to third place with a score of 87.01. <\/p>\n
Readers focused on the city\u2019s downtown, which retains its period charm, as well as the gorgeous architecture.<\/p>\n
\u201cCharleston\u2019s laws of keeping every building under the height of its tallest church, keeps the city unique, quaint and charming,\u201d fawned one.<\/p>\n
An aerial view of Charleston, South Carolina, which was dethroned after 12 years at the top of the rankings. FRANKLIN \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
New Orleans took second place in the new rankings. Kevin Ruck \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
In fact, T+L readers seemed to be overwhelmingly Southern charmed by cities sitting below the Mason-Dixon line. <\/p>\n
Rounding out the top five list were Savannah, Georgia (86.64) and the nation\u2019s capital-adjacent burg of Alexandria, Virginia (85.26).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, New York City \u2014 home of the most billionaires<\/a> in the world and TripAdvisor\u2019s number one destination for 2025<\/a> \u2014 managed an embarrassing 8th place in the rankings, with a score of 83.84.<\/p>\n Savannah, Georgia, is one of the top 5 cities in the US in 2025, according to Travel + Leisure. Jacob \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n It notably trailed Greenville, South Carolina, a sleepy Upstate town that has enjoyed a surge of development in recent years.<\/p>\n Readers specifically praised NYC\u2019s theater scene, with one respondent gushing, \u201ccan\u2019t be beat for quality and variety \u2014 even the theaters themselves are beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n The best cities in the US in 2025<\/p>\n\n