CHARLESTON is #1 For A Reason
Scenic Water Everywhere
The rich, 300 year nautical heritage stems from being a seaport city surrounded by beautiful resort islands. The Atlantic Ocean, Charleston Harbor and many rivers and marshes create stunning vistas that make Charleston unique.
Renowned Dining Scene
The dining scene is active and broadening. With a steady supply of James Beard Award winning chefs, the restaurants push each other in creative fare - great fun. Experience the annual Food & Wine festival as well.
Rich Culture
You'll find many amenities here that are usually associated with larger cities. As Charleston has evolved it has become more cosmopolitan while retaining its manageable size and unique Southern charm. The visual and performing arts scene is a vibrant and integral part of Charleston life. Shopping is also evolving as the fashion awards become more plentiful, and the sponsoring of a popular Fashion Week every Spring.
Easy to Get To Charleston
Charleston is not that hard to find - and it's getting easier! Currently offering 130+ daily arrivals and departures including many non-stop flights. Currently flying to/from 19 airports &15 metropolitan areas with carriers including Delta, US Airways, Southwest, JetBlue, United, & American.
2017 Awards
Charleston named 'The South's Best City of 2017' by Southern Living magazine
Forbes ranks Charleston #4 Best mid-size U.S. metro for Jobs in 2017
Inc. Magazine ranks Charleston top 5 "Best City to Start a Business Right Now,"
U.S News & World Report ranks Charleston Metro #27 Best Place to Live in the USA and #4 Most Fun Place to Live in the U.S.
2016 Awards
Travel + Leisure – 2016
Charleston also ranked No. 1 City on the list of Top 10 Cities in the World in the annual readers’ poll.
Conde Nast
Readers voted Charleston their favorite small city in the U.S. in the 2016
2015 Awards
Charleston voted #1 Top City in the U.S. and Canada - World’s Best Awards
Travel + Leisure – 2015
Charleston also ranked No. 2 City on the list of Top 10 Cities in the World in the annual readers’ poll.
2014 Awards
Charleston voted #1 Top City in the U.S. and Canada
Charleston voted #2 in the World in 2014 World’s Best Awards survey.
Travel + Leisure – 2014
Most Exciting Mid-Sized Cities in the U.S.
Charleston ranked #2 by Movoto Real Estate
Source: Movoto Real Estate
Best American Cities for Foodies
Charleston ranked #4 by Conde Nast Traveler
Source: Conde Nast Traveler
Most Romantic Getaways in the World
Charleston ranked #4 by Fodor's
Source: Fodor's
Top Performing Cities in the U.S.
Charleston ranked #11 by Milken Institute
Source: Business Insider
Best Destinations in the U.S.
Charleston voted #13 in the 2014 Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards
Source: Trip Advisor
Top Destinations for 2014
Charleston listed among the top 20 travel destinations in the world
Source: Telegraph Travel
Best Places to Retire
Charleston listed among the best places to retire by Forbes
Source: Forbes
Friendliest Cities in the U.S.
Charleston ranked #1 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler
Source: Conde Nast
Most Amazing Places Uncle Sam Could Send You
Charleston ranked #12 on list of best U.S. military base locations around the world
Source: Huffington Post
Best Girls' Trip
Charleston voted #2 by readers of USA Today and 10Best.com
Source: 10Best.com
Best Post-College Towns
Charleston featured among the best post-college towns by USA Today
Source: USA Today
2013 Awards
Top City in the U.S. and Canada
Charleston voted #1 in the Travel + Leisure 2013 World’s Best Awards survey.
Travel + Leisure – July 2013
Top 10 Cities Overall
Charleston ranked #7 in the Travel + Leisure 2013 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.
Travel + Leisure – July 2013
Best Master-Planned Communities in the U.S.
Daniel Island selected among the top 50 master planned communities
Where to Retire – June 2013
Top Location for Retirement
Charleston selected as one of the top locations for retirement
Retirement and Good Living – February 2013
2012 Awards
Top Travel Destination in the World
Charleston, SC Ranked #1 by Condé Nast Traveler Readers.
Condé-Nast – October 2012
Top U.S. Travel Destination
Charleston, SC Ranked #1 by Condé Nast Traveler Readers.
Condé-Nast – October 2012
Top 10 Downtowns 2012
Charleston ranked #2
Livability.com – 2012
Best Places for Business and Careers in the U.S.
Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, MSA ranked #34
Forbes – June 2012
Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities for Software and Internet Technology
Charleston ranked among the top 10 fastest growing cities for software and Internet technology.
Fast Company – June 2012
Fifteen Tech Scenes in Places You’d Never Think to Look
Charleston listed as one of the Fifteen Tech Scenes in Places You’d Never Think to Look
Fast Company – June 2012
Top Mid-Size Cities for Jobs
Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville MSA ranks #5 on list (up from #8 in 2011). It ranks 29th MSA overall.
Forbes – May 2012