Lexington Ranked Among Top Small Cities in the U.S.

Lexington, KY, October 23, 2025

News Summary

Lexington has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the 8th best small city in the United States for its 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the second consecutive year the city has achieved this honor, drawing attention for its horse culture and diverse culinary scene, with recommendations including local favorites like Doodles and Bourbon on Rye. Despite a slight drop from last year’s ranking, the city’s appeal continues to grow, highlighted by upcoming 250th birthday celebrations and other recognitions, including awards from Wine Spectator.

Lexington has once again been recognized as one of the best small cities in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler. This prestigious recognition, awarded for the second consecutive year, places Lexington at No. 8 in the magazine’s top 10 small cities for its 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The announcement was made by VisitLEX on October 7, further spotlighting the city’s appeal for travelers.

This year, over 757,000 votes were cast by readers who participated in the annual awards, leading to Lexington’s prominent ranking. While often celebrated as the Horse Capital of the World, this recognition also highlights the city’s diverse offerings, including its location on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

The editors from Condé Nast Traveler noted that Lexington’s robust spirits scene and vibrant culinary experiences played significant roles in attracting votes. Many local establishments have gained recognition for their quality and charm. Recommended spots for visitors include Doodles, known for its breakfast sandwiches; Bourbon on Rye, which offers popular burgers; and Crank & Boom, a favorite for ice cream lovers.

While Lexington’s current ranking is commendable, it fell slightly from its position last year, when it ranked higher in the same awards. Nevertheless, Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLEX, expressed pride in the continued honor, emphasizing the city’s thriving hospitality sector and unique local attractions that continue to draw visitors.

In addition to this recognition, conservative estimates show that the city is on the rise as a travel destination. Earlier in the year, Wine Spectator honored two Lexington-area restaurants with their prestigious Restaurant Awards, and Bloomberg also designated Lexington as a top travel destination for 2025. This timing coincides with the city’s upcoming 250th birthday celebrations, marking a historic and exciting period for local tourism.

The complete list of the top 10 small cities as ranked by Condé Nast Traveler for 2025 is as follows:

• 10. Pensacola, Fla.
• 9. Honolulu, Hawaii
• 8. Lexington, Ky.
• 7. Oakland, Calif.
• 6. Savannah, Ga.
• 5. San Juan, P.R.
• 4. St. Augustine, Fla.
• 3. Alexandria, Va.
• 2. Santa Fe, N.M.
• 1. Charleston, S.C.

Overall, Lexington’s inclusion in this prestigious list underscores its growing reputation as a vibrant and attractive destination, promising an array of experiences that celebrate its rich culture and history.

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Additional Resources

• Lexington Recognition Article – Kentucky.com
• Lexington Hotels Recognition – VisitLEX
• Traffic Pattern Testing – Lex18
• Traffic Incident Report – WTVQ
• Overturned Semi on I-75 – Fox56 News
• Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
• Google Search: Lexington Kentucky travel
• Google Scholar: Lexington recognition
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington
• Google News: Lexington Kentucky

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.