Travel + Leisure readers still love Alexandria, but the city fell out of the top ten in this year’s Best in the U.S. ranking after multiple years among the elite.
Every year, the magazine hosts a World’s Best awards survey, with over 186,000 readers weighing in. The magazine said cities are rated on criteria like landmarks, culture, food and more.
The city squeaked into the list with the 15th — and final — spot. According to the magazine:
This historic city, which is just five miles from Washington D.C. but feels worlds away, strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated and small-town. Readers were drawn to its picturesque waterfront of Old Town, and also praised attractions like the The Torpedo Factory Art Center and the Mount Vernon Trail, ideal for bird watching and easy bike rides.
Alexandria was behind Boston, Nashville, and Annapolis. The number one spot, for several years-running now, has been Charleston, South Carolina.