Looking for a short getaway this fall?
Just two hours from Jacksonville, Savannah, Georgia, affords greater than cobblestone streets and Southern attraction — it’s now formally a traveler favourite. In Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, launched October 7, Savannah took first place for ‘The Best Airports in the U.S’ and secured a spot among the many ‘Top 10 Best Small Cities’.
So what makes this historic gem stand out? Here’s why Savannah is incomes nationwide reward in each the sky and on the bottom, stealing the highlight in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Savannah, Georgia, ranked No. 6 amongst America’s Best Small Cities. Here’s why
According to the publication, Savannah earned its place on the listing for its distinctive mix of historic attraction, visible magnificence, and standout eating.
Described as “mossy” and “moody,” the town is praised for its Instagram-worthy surroundings, together with cobblestoned streets, horse-drawn carriages, and dwell oaks draped in Spanish moss — particularly in the town’s historic district.
The publication additionally highlights two high suggestions:
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The Gastonian – A historic mattress and breakfast positioned simply two blocks from Forsyth Park, recognized for its Southern hospitality and stylish ambiance.
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The Grey – A renovated former Greyhound bus station-turned-acclaimed restaurant, the place James Beard Award–profitable chef Mashama Bailey serves elevated Southern delicacies, together with dishes like foie gras and grits and tempura-fried catfish.
Savannah’s mixture of timeless magnificence, cultural richness, and culinary excellence helped it earn the No. 6 spot amongst America’s finest small cities.
Savannah’s Airport ranks No. 1 as one of the best airport in the U.S. Here’s why
According to the publication, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) earned the highest spot due to its small measurement, charming structure, and alluring ambiance.
With a town square-inspired design, full with benches and a big clock, the airport feels extra like a historic Southern Street than a journey hub. Travelers can browse native retailers, dine on the PGA Tour Grill, and luxuriate in a relaxed, easygoing expertise.
In reality, the airport’s nice ambiance has been acknowledged earlier than — it was as soon as named the “happiest” airport in the U.S. in a survey performed by a relationship web site.
Did any Florida airports make the Top 10 in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards?
Yes, Tampa International Airport (TPA) ranked No. 3 in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best U.S. Airports.
The publication highlighted TPA’s longstanding fame for innovation, noting that it has “a history of being one of the country’s most cutting-edge” airports. That fame started over 50 years in the past, when the airport launched a revolutionary landside–airside structure — a design that separated public areas from safe passenger zones, now a standard normal in airports worldwide.
More just lately, in 2018, Tampa accomplished a $1 billion modernization mission, which included the launch of the SkyConnect folks mover system, that includes high-tech Japanese trains. This improve, together with the airport’s “tremendously convenient” entry to downtown Tampa, makes it probably the most accessible in the U.S.
Top 10 Airports in the US: Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 full listing
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Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
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Portland International Airport (PDX)
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Tampa International Airport (TPA)
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Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
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Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
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Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
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Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Did any Florida cities place amongst ‘The Best Small Cities in the United States: 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards’?
Yes, St. Augustine — only one hour from Jacksonville — ranked No. 4 among the nation’s favorite small cities.
The publication recognized St. Augustine for its “impressive history and charm,” noting that the town affords experiences suited to a variety of vacationers. According to the article, St. Augustine options “pristine beaches and miles of navigable waterways to colonial Spanish architecture, brick-lined streets, and museums featuring historic artifacts, fine arts, and unique antiquities.”
It additionally highlights that the town’s “variety of family-friendly fun brings out a second wind in everyone.”
The Best Small Cities in the United States: 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards full listing
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Charleston, South Carolina
This article initially appeared on Florida Times-Union: Historic Savannah tops charts, Best Small City and Best Airport in US