Mon Oct 13 23:20:00 UTC 2025: **Gulf Coast Cities Shine in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards**
**PENSACOLA, FL -** Despite lingering chilly conditions on Pensacola Beach in early April 2021, as captured by a staff photo, the Gulf Coast is heating up as a top travel destination. In Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, both Pensacola, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana, were recognized among the top 10 cities in the United States, receiving high marks from over 757,109 voters.
Pensacola secured the 10th spot, largely credited to its pristine white-sand beaches and inviting aquamarine waters. The publication also highlighted the Chappie James Museum, celebrating the legacy of the first African American four-star general in the U.S. Air Force, as a key attraction.
New Orleans ranked 5th, with Condé Nast Traveler directing readers beyond the typical tourist spots. The magazine emphasized the city’s rich Creole, Cajun, and French heritage, reflected in its vibrant music scene, diverse cuisine, and flourishing art galleries, particularly in the revitalized Warehouse District.
This recognition underscores the Gulf Coast’s resilience and growing appeal, overcoming past challenges such as hurricanes and the pandemic to establish itself as a vibrant cultural and culinary hub. Other cities recognized in the poll included Honolulu, Hawaii; Lexington, Kentucky; Oakland, California; Savannah, Georgia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Augustine, Florida; Alexandria, Virginia; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Charleston, South Carolina, took the top spot.
First Piper 