Florida has two of the best small towns in America. And not surprisingly, those two locales are on the coast and rich in tourists.
Conde Nast Traveler released its list of best small cities in the U.S. and both Pensacola and St. Augustine were in the top 10. Coastal connections were clearly part of the allure for both towns. But there was much more that put them near the top.
St. Augustine came in fourth. The Nation’s Oldest City’s treasure trove of historical features was a main reason the travel magazine singled it out for praise.
“With such an impressive record, naturally, history is around every bend in the form of basilicas, schoolhouses, forts, and commemorative statues,” the magazine said. “Legend has it that the explorer Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain of youth around the city grounds, and while he may not have found it, St. Augustine’s variety of family-friendly fun brings out a second wind in everyone.”
The travel writers raved about the beaches, waters and nearby islands surrounding Pensacola, which was ranked 10th on the best small town list. But they also gave a nod to another featured attraction in the Panhandle city.
“Back on the mainland, spend an afternoon walking through the Chappie James Museum — a must-visit site that honors Daniel ‘Chappie’ James Jr., a Tuskegee Airman who became the first African American four-star general in any branch of the military,” Conde Nast said.
While travel writers penned the reviews, the list was compiled by an exhaustive survey that tapped an estimated 757,109 travelers in the 38th annual Reader’s Choice Awards.
Charleston, South Carolina, topped the list followed by Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Alexandria, Virginia coming in third. San Juan, Puerto Rico, rounded out the top five.
