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Alexandria ranks No. 2 on Condé Nast Traveler's list of best small U.S. cities, its highest finish

The city moved up from No. 3, where it had placed three years running. Charleston, South Carolina, was first.

,   and  Ryan Belmore
2 min read
Alexandria has ascended to #2 among “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” according to the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.(V&T Films/Visit Alexandria)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria ranked No. 2 among the best small cities in the United States in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, its highest finish since the magazine created the category in 2018, the city's tourism agency said Tuesday.

Charleston, South Carolina, placed first. Santa Fe, New Mexico, which finished ahead of Alexandria last year, was third.

Alexandria had ranked No. 3 in each of the past three years and has been in the top five every year the category has existed, according to Visit Alexandria.

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