Southern Living Magazine Again Names Tallahassee One of The South's Best Cities

Southern Living Magazine Again Names Tallahassee

One of The South’s Best Cities

For the second year in a row, Leon County has earned a coveted travel distinction from national magazine Southern Living. Tallahassee was named the No. 10 South’s Best City, No. 9 South’s Best College Town and home to the No. 1 South’s Best Garden Shop (Tallahassee Nurseries) as part of the magazine’s fourth annual South’s Best Awards recognizing readers’ favorite Southern destinations and experiences.

“Southern Living’s South's Best Awards celebrate communities that exemplify Southern hospitality, character and warmth, so it is no surprise that Tallahassee was recognized again as a top city in the south,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Bryan Desloge. “As our community has grown, we have retained that special blend of natural beauty and unexpected elements that make us all proud to call Leon County home.”

Southern Living is a leading travel and lifestyle publication that celebrates the essence of life in the South, covering the best in Southern food, homes, gardens and travel. Reaching more than 23 million people each month, Southern Living connects consumers to the region's rich culture through a variety of print, digital, mobile and event platforms. The magazine launched the annual crowd-sourced awards four years ago to celebrate the people and places its readers love across the South.

“As the only Florida community in the Top 10 of South’s Best Cities, Tallahassee-Leon County’s position is a credit to the commitment of our local leaders, businesses, and citizens in creating the special community we all share,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. 

The only Florida city listed on the South’s Best College Town and beating out Orlando, FL, St. Petersburg, FL and Greenville, S.C., for the South’s Best City No. 10 spot,  Tallahassee earned the distinction for its history and natural beauty along with numerous wildlife preserves, animal refuges, state parks and history museums.

Southern Living Magazine “South’s Best Cities” 2020

1. Charleston, SC 
2. Savannah, GA 
3. Nashville, TN 
4. New Orleans, LA
5. Austin, TX 
6. Asheville, NC 
7. Alexandria, VA
8. Atlanta, GA 
9. Richmond, VA
10. Tallahassee, FL 

“We are honored to be recognized for the second year in a row as one of Southern Living’s South’s Best Cities,” said Kerri L. Post, Director of Leon County Division of Tourism. “We welcome visitors and residents alike to explore and discover for themselves why Tallahassee is one of the South’s Best.”

"Residents and visitors alike know to expect the very best from Florida's Capital City, which is why Southern Living is once again recognizing Tallahassee as one of the Top 10 South's Best Cities," said Mayor John Dailey. "From our thriving economy that supports local businesses to our educational opportunities and beautiful landscapes, Tallahassee offers an exceptional quality of life for all to enjoy." 

To see the South’s Best 2020 awards rankings in their entirety – showcasing the best small towns, cities, hotels, restaurants and bars among other travel related categories – visit www.southernliving.com/souths-best. The April print issue, which will be dedicated to the South’s Best 2020 results, hits stands Friday, March 20.

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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee: The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization for Tallahassee-Leon County. Tourism is charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County nationally as a premier leisure, business and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports and visitor services. Named as one of Southern Living’s top 10 Cities of the South, in 2019, Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.04 billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 16,150 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #iHeartTally and  #Trailahassee.