For Immediate Release, March 2023

Charleston Voted No. 1 In Southern Living’s 2023 South’s Best Awards

CHARLESTON, S.C. - For the sixth year, the readers of Southern Living ranked the Charleston region No. 1 in its annual South’s Best awards.

The awards recognize readers’ favorite destinations and experiences, covering everything from cities and small towns to restaurants and hotels.

Southern Living noted that with Charleston’s “vibrant culinary scene, fantastic shops and boutiques, the coastal breezes blowing in over the Battery–it’s no shock that The Holy City stays at the top of this list year after year.”

“We remain mindful and appreciative that readers determine prestigious accolades like the South's Best City. The exposure from the award reinforces to travelers the attributes that make our region a premier destination, from our vibrant urban core to our beautiful island communities. Being honored for the sixth year demonstrates our ability to remain relevant and to consistently provide high-quality, engaging and authentic visitor experiences in a highly-competitive industry,” said John LaVerne, Explore Charleston’s Board Chair and Founder of Bulldog Tours.

Other Charleston area honorees in this year’s South’s Best awards include:

Rodney Scott’s BBQ - South's Best BBQ Joint in South Carolina

Page’s Okra Grill - South's Best Locally-Owned Restaurant In South Carolina

City of Folly Beach - Best Small Towns in the South

Tourism is one of the region’s leading economic drivers. In many ways, its success facilitates economic development and quality-of-life investments. According to the College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis, the total economic impact of the visitor industry in the Charleston area grew to a record $10.6 billion in 2021. The percentage of countywide sales attributable to tourism increased to over 23%.

The 2023 South’s Best survey results and methodology are featured online at: SouthernLiving.com/Souths-Best.


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As the region’s destination marketing and management organization, Explore Charleston represents ten municipalities across three counties. It seeks to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area, create overnight visitation, and support responsible development through travel and tourism strategies.

Media contact:
Chris Campbell, Explore Charleston
[email protected]
(843) 958-3639