Condé Nast Traveler Names Alexandria Third Best Small City In 2021

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria has once again made Condé Nast Traveler's list of Best Small Cities in the U.S., coming in third place. Winners were decided through the Readers’ Choice Awards.

Alexandria was just behind Aspen, Colorado (first) and Charleston, South Carolina (second) on the list. It placed ahead of Santa Fe, New Mexico (fourth), Greenville, South Carolina (fifth), Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (sixth) and Key West, Florida (seventh). Alexandria has been in the top five on the list for four straight years since the small cities category was created in 2018.

The small cities category recognizes "reader-favorite cities" with attractions like arts scenes, standout new restaurants, or impressive architecture. Condé Nast Traveler describes Alexandria as a "charming, historic city just across the Potomac River from our nation's capital." Among the highlights mentioned are King Street, the waterfront, Torpedo Factory Arts Center and Gadsby's Tavern.

Meanwhile, Alexandria's neighbor across the Potomac River, Washington, DC, placed sixth in the large cities category.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running awards recognizing the best of the travel industry. Over 800,000 readers around the world submitted responses rating their travel experiences. The 2021 awards acknowledge the work of the travel industry as visitors return to travel.

The lists of award winners is available from Condé Nast Traveler.