Wilmington NC Ranked Top 10 in Southern Living Best Cities in the South for 2026

Southern Living just released the annual “The South’s Best Cities 2026” list. It’s back-to-back years, Wilmington, NC, is featured on the list, climbing from a #13 ranking in 2025 into the top 10 cities for 2026!

Wilmington, NC, comes in at #7 on the list! Southern Living says: “Named our South’s Best City on the Rise in 2024, this coastal charmer has only continued to get better each year since. There’s not much you can’t find here.”

The reader-voted list celebrates Wilmington for its diverse appeal, from historic charm to the modern Riverwalk to the beach. Wilmington is the second-highest-ranked city in North Carolina on the list. A total of three cities were ranked, including Asheville at #3 for its creative art scene and Charlotte for its superb dining options.

Wilmington’s diverse appeal for all travelers

Wilmington’s wide range of activities has landed it a place on the Best Cities list. It’s a place for everyone, regardless of whether you want a vacation filled with discovering local history or indulging in the scenery of one of North Carolina’s best beaches. Here’s what you can expect when you visit Wilmington, NC.

Uncover centuries of history

Wilmington was officially founded in 1737, but it was settled much earlier. Travelers who love digging into the past can get their hands dirty with history-filled museums, landmarks, and more.

Wilmington has one of the largest historic districts in the South and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Eight total historic districts cover more than 230 blocks, lined with period 18th- and 19th-century homes. Take a historic walking tour to learn about these neighborhoods frozen in time and step inside history with tours inside the Bellamy Mansion Museum, Burgwin-Wright House, and the Latimer House. Visit historical landmarks, including the Battleship NC and Fort Fisher’s WWII bunkers.

Explore Nearby beaches

Visitors can nearly smell the salty ocean water while strolling through Downtown Wilmington! Wilmington is just a short drive to the Atlantic coast, making it a popular destination for beach lovers.

Cross the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, and you’ll arrive at Wrightsville Beach, less than 10 miles away from Wilmington and one of North Carolina’s premier surfing destinations and iconic fishing piers. A 20-minute drive from downtown Wilmington takes you to the family-friendly Carolina Beach, famous for its boardwalk. Kure Beach is next to Carolina Beach and is home to the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival and Island of Lights New Year’s celebration.

Experience the coastal lifestyle with a stay in one of our oceanfront vacation homes.

Stroll a top-rated Riverwalk

The Wilmington Riverwalk’s popularity has garnered its own accolades as the #3 “Best Riverwalk in the Nation” by USA Today. The two-mile-long riverfront walkway invites everyone for leisure strolls, tasty local bites, trendy coastal-fashion boutique shops, and stunning river scenery.

The Riverwalk sits on the Cape Fear River and offers more than 200 places to explore. For dining, pub eats at The Copper Penny, Southern specialties at Rooster & The Crow, and river views at Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill are top picks. Browse local fashions at boutique shops inside the historic Chandler’s Wharf. There’s even a famous set location from the hit TV series One Tree Hill that was filmed here.

Exceptional dining

If there’s one thing the South is known for, it’s food. With so many iconic food destinations featured on Southern Living’s list, including New Orleans’ Creole cuisines and Austin’s Tex-Mex, Wilmington, NC, still shines in the dining category.

Wilmington offers a buffet of dining options suitable for everyone’s taste. Riverview patio dining, fresh seafood sourced from local fishermen, and restaurants that boast their historic splendor make every meal a highlight of your Wilmington visit.

Find Vacation Rentals in Wilmington

Wilmington is one of the top tourist destinations in North Carolina, attracting more than $1 billion in tourist spending in recent years, according to Wilmington Biz. With a top-10 ranking, it’s sure to attract even more visitors seeking Southern destinations with diverse offerings.

Experience the local charm for yourself when you book a stay at a Wilmington vacation rental. Sea Scape Properties manages vacation homes in Wilmington and nearby areas for travelers to indulge in everything that keeps visitors coming back to this coastal gem.

About The Best Cities in the South List

Southern Living publishes The South’s Best lists every year. It worked with the third-party research company Proof Insights to survey more than 17,000 readers. Respondents ranked their favorite destinations, resulting in a top 20 list featuring cities from Florida, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana. The list showcases cities with award-winning restaurants, destinations with abundant outdoor activities, specialty trails, bustling resort towns, and places with southern hospitality and charm.

See what other Southern Cities made the list at Southern Living.