Annapolis Makes Travel + Leisure Best Cities List For 1st Time

Annapolis was named a top U.S. city by a travel magazine. The Maryland capital ranked ahead of Nashville and Boston.

Jul 12, 2024 10:04 am EDT

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis has landed on Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S. list among the likes of Charleston, New York, Santa Fe, Honolulu and New Orleans.

Travel + Leisure readers decided the Best Cities in the U.S. list as part of the magazine’s World’s Best Awards for 2024. Annapolis ranked 12th of 15 cities in the rankings released Tuesday.

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More than 186,000 readers completed the World’s Best Awards survey, casting over 700,000 votes in different categories, such as hotels, cities and more. Readers rated cities based on several factors: sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value.

This is the first time Annapolis made the list.

Here’s what Travel + Leisure says about Annapolis:

This coastal city — known as “the sailing capital of the United States”— received top marks not only for its nautical charms, but also its historic sites, walkable downtown, and of course, crab cakes. Annapolis is also home to the U.S. Naval Academy, and many readers touted football games as a can’t-miss activity. “I love the culture and activities available in Annapolis. Whether you’re visiting for educational purposes or coming to enjoy the Navy football games, you will definitely have a good time,” said one voter.

The top 15 cities as decided by Travel + Leisure readers were:

1. Charleston, South Carolina

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

3. Savannah, Georgia

4. Honolulu, Hawaii

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

6. San Antonio, Texas

7. Fort Worth, Texas

8. New York, New York

9. Chicago, Illinois

10. Aspen, Colorado

11. Taos, New Mexico

12. Annapolis, Maryland

13. Nashville, Tennessee

14. Boston, Massachusetts

15. Alexandria, Virginia

Annapolis has previously been recognized on the: