Readers named Charleston the best Southern city for 2009. The city and its businesses took other honors in the annual contest, including awards for best neighborhood shopping, splurge-worthy restaurants, Southern favorite restaurants and best hotels. Readers of Southern Living magazine have named Charleston the best Southern city in the 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards. The annual Readers’ Choice Awards include 13 categories with 10 ranked winners in each. Charleston and its businesses appeared throughout the awards. Charleston’s King Street took second place in the “best neighborhood for shopping” category. Atlanta’s Buckhead won the top spot. Four Charleston restaurants were listed in the “splurge-worthy restaurants” category. Magnolias restaurant came in at No. 4, Peninsula Grill was No. 7, High Cotton Maverick Bar & Grill was No. 9, and 82 Queen was No. 10. Magnolias also won the No. 8 spot in the “Southern favorite restaurants” category, just behind Jestine’s Kitchen at No. 7. Magazine readers ranked Charleston Place the No. 5 “best hotel” and the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as No. 9. Spoleto Festival USA was named the fourth “best festival or fair” in the South. The Isle of Palms was 10th in the “best beach destination” category. Charleston was the 10th choice for “best family destination.” Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island and Beaufort also took honors in the contest. The 2009 Readers Choice Awards are featured in the January issue of Southern Living.

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