Georgetown vying for ‘Best Small Town in the South’ in USA Today contest

Georgetown vying for ‘Best Small Town in the South’ in USA Today contest

Once again, South Carolina’s third oldest city has been nominated by USA Today 10Best for one of its “Best Small Town” awards.

Georgetown was nominated four times, from 2018-2021 for the Best Coastal Small Town, and was voted No. 1 in 2018. This time, it is nominated for “Best Small Town in the South”.

Vote for Georgetown once per day in this contest by clicking here. Polls close on Monday, March 30, at noon. The winning small towns will be announced on Wednesday, April 8.

The South is known for its charm, hospitality, and rich history, and it also has some of the most beautiful and diverse small towns in the country, contest officials state. Relaxing getaways, cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and culinary delights await across the region in these 20 small towns — each with a population of less than 25,000 — that have been nominated by an expert panel.

Mark A. Stevens, who serves as director of tourism development for the Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, said it is no surprise that Georgetown has been nominated for this award.

“Georgetown is the quintessential American small town,” Stevens said. “Our community is rich with history and is overflowing with Southern charm. Folks visiting our pristine beaches on the Hammock Coast often make a point to visit Front Street in Georgetown to experience the historic district’s five museums, eclectic shops and restaurants.”

Georgetown is described by “Best Small Town in the South” contest officials as a historic seaport town. Founded in 1729, it has a historic downtown with over 250 old homes, more than 60 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is renowned for its streets lined with moss-draped oaks, and five museums celebrate the region’s rich history and Gullah culture. The town’s waterfront location makes it a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and seafood dining. 

This is how Georgetown placed in previous “Best Coastal Small Town” contests:

2022

#3: Best Coastal Small Town

2021

#2: Best Coastal Small Town

2020

#7: Best Coastal Small Town

2019

#4: Best Coastal Small Town

2018

#1: Best Coastal Small Town

About USA Today 10Best

While the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest lives on 10Best.com – a standalone travel media site – it is promoted across USA Today Travel Media Group’s digital and mobile products, as well as via social media. Nominees are also announced and/or promoted across relevant USA Today departments, and through Gannett media outlets.

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. The core of the site’s uniqueness is its team of local travel experts: a well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields – and their cities – but discriminating in their tastes. 10Best.com averages five million visitors per month. It was acquired by USA Today in January of 2013.

Attractions on the Hammock Coast have also been nominated for other USA Today 10Best contests recently. You can now vote for Brookgreen Gardens for “Best Botanical Garden” through Monday, March 9. You can also vote for Caledonia for “Best Public Golf Course” and True Blue Grillroom for “Best Golf Course Restaurant” through Monday, March 23.

Brookgreen Gardens was recently named No. 3 in the USA Today 10Best contest for “Best Sculpture Park”.

Three beaches on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast – Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach and Huntington Beach – have been top winners in USA Today/10 Best contests in recent years. Pawleys Island was named Best Beach in South Carolina two years in a row – 2024 and 2025.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®