MORNING HEADLINES | Southern Living readers for the ninth year in a row ranked Charleston at the top of cities in its annual South’s Best awards. The awards recognize readers’ favorite destinations and experiences, covering everything from cities and beach towns to restaurants, resorts and hotels.
“Once again, the Holy City has captured our readers’ hearts and the top spot on this list,” Southern Living said in its announcement “Its harbor, historic homes and churches are beautiful to behold, but it’s more than just a scenic escape. Charleston’s blend of old and new means that there’s something for everyone here: architecture, restaurants galore, African American history, art galleries, shopping and more.”
Meanwhile, other reports highlight how South Carolina continued to be one of the fastest-growing states by population in the nation. The Myrtle Beach and Spartanburg areas are in the top 10 areas of growth for the country. But some worried the state was growing too fast, with one official remarking, “We don’t want to be Number 1.”
In Charleston, tourism contributes nearly a quarter of the area’s sales every year, according to the College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism and Analysis. The industry generated a record-high impact of $13.1 billion for the Greater Charleston Area in 2023. Travel and hospitality accounts for almost 53,000 local jobs, more than ever before. The percentage of countywide sales attributable to tourism increased to 24.7%, which is also a new record.
“It is an honor to be recognized by such a highly-regarded and longstanding publication. We are mindful and appreciative that readers determine prestigious accolades like the South’s Best,” said Dan Blumenstock, board chair of Explore Charleston. “The travel industry is more competitive than ever, as destinations vie to attract visitors’ discretionary spending. The valuable exposure from the awards reinforces to travelers the attributes that make us a premier metropolitan area, from our vibrant historic district to our beautiful island communities.”
Several other Charleston-area destinations earned honors from Southern Living:
- Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island each secured spots in the 50 Best Beach Towns in the South category, touting the areas’ surf shops, dive bars and flip-flop-friendly restaurants — all on top of the natural beauty of the Lowcountry coast.
- Readers ranked The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the ninth Best Resort. The article highlights the storied destination’s five golf courses as well as its performance center where guests can brush up on their skills.
- The Francis Marion Hotel was voted the 10th Best Classic Hotel for its elegant architecture and storied history. The hotel recently celebrated its 100th birthday, and it still has one of the best harbor views in town, the article said.
- The Crab Shacks and Bowens Island Restaurant earned top spots in the South’s Best Seafood Dives list, both touted for their laid-back atmosphere and fresh seafood selections, including to-die-for she-crab soup, steamed oysters and Frogmore stew.
- The Windjammer was voted No. 3 in the Best Beach Bars category for its ability to draw crowds with notable performers like Darius Rucker (who has rocked the stage frequently for decades).
- Readers also voted the Texas-style restaurant Lewis Barbecue as their South Carolina favorite in the Best Barbecue Joint in Every State category. With a second location in Greenville, pitmaster John Lewis brings flavors from his hometown of El Paso, Texas, right to your plate. – Skyler Baldwin
In other recent headlines around the area:
County says library board members must swear to Constitution. In a last-minute reversal, Charleston County Council voted Tuesday night to require library board members to swear allegiance to the federal and state constitutions. The proposal originated with Charleston GOP state Sen. Matt Leber.
Outside auditors say Loftis misrepresented facts in testimony. AlixPartners, the firm hired to clean up S.C.’s multibillion dollar accounting mess, told state senators March 11 that S.C. Treasurer Curtis Loftis has consistently misrepresented facts to downplay his role in the scandal.
Crews begin work on environmental restoration project. Charleston’s Barberry Woods project, which includes a scenic stream, wetland storage cells, a passive recreation path and more, is expected to bring significant flooding relief to 3,500 Johns Island residents.
New Lilly Pulitzer store to open in Mount Pleasant. “Our shoppers will be thrilled to have this new storefront in our shopping center this spring,” Mount Pleasant Towne Centre marketing director Kathi Herrmann said in a statement confirming the planned opening.
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