Voting opens as Alexandria looks to defend top-five spot on Travel + Leisure's best cities list
City made historic jump from No. 15 to No. 5 last year
Fresh off a record-breaking fifth-place finish in 2025, Alexandria is once again vying for a spot among America’s best cities in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious World’s Best Awards survey.
Visit Alexandria announced this week that the city has secured its fifth consecutive nomination in the magazine’s “Best Cities in the U.S.” category. Voting is open at TLWBAVOTE.com through 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 23.
Last year marked Alexandria’s highest-ever position in the annual ranking. In 2024, Alexandria ranked No. 15 on the list, then jumped to No. 5 in 2025.
The city was recognized for its close proximity to Washington, D.C., as well as its rich history, vibrant art scene, culture, and lifestyle. Travel + Leisure noted that readers gave the city high marks for its colonial architecture in Old Town, the Potomac River waterfront, shopping on King Street, and its emerging food scene.
The 2025 rankings placed Alexandria among elite company: Savannah (No. 4), Charleston (No. 3), New Orleans (No. 2), and Santa Fe (No. 1).
To support Alexandria’s 2026 bid, residents can rate the city as “excellent” across nine categories. Six local hotels are also nominated: Archer Old Town Alexandria, Hotel AKA Alexandria, Hotel Heron, Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Morrison House, and The Alexandrian.
Participants who vote are automatically entered for a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize or a Viking cruise for two to the British Isles and Norway. Voting is limited to one submission per email address.
The membership-based tourism organization Visit Alexandria has been leveraging high-profile rankings to boost travel to the city and visitor-related revenues.