Travel+Leisure readers rank Outer Banks 15th best continental U.S. “island” for 2023

July 31, 2023 | Local News | By: Sam Walker | From The: WOBX

Peninsulas and island are what makes up the Outer Banks. So, before you get caught up in geography, know that the Outer Banks has been ranked by another major publication as one of the best in the country this year.

The Outer Banks was rated as the 15th best “stateside spots to relax island style,” according to readers of Travel+Leisure, who voted in their annual ‘World’s Best Awards’ survey for 2023.

According to T+L, destinations were specifically rated on natural attractions/beaches, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, and value.

“For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses,” writes T+L News Editor Christine Burroni.

Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels.

Destinations in North Carolina that made T+L’s rankings in other categories included “15 Favorite Resorts in the South”, The Swag in Waynesville ranked #1, Skyline Lodge in Highlands was #2, Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro #3, Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands #6, Half-Mile Farm in Highlands #8, and High Hampton in Cashiers #14.

Asheville ranked #15 among the “Top 15 Favorite Cities in the U.S.”, while in the “25 Favorite National Parks in America,” Great Smoky Mountains ranked #7.

And here are the full rankings from Travel + Leisure Readers’ “15 Favorite Islands in the Continental U.S. of 2023”:

1. Golden Isles (Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, St. Simons Island), Georgia
Reader Score: 92.15

2. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Reader Score: 90.67

3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Reader Score: 89.27

4. Mount Desert Island, Maine
Reader Score: 86.77

5. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 85.55

6. Sanibel Island, Florida
Reader Score: 84.96

7. Longboat Key, Florida
Reader Score: 84.44

8. Amelia Island, Florida
Reader Score: 84.19

9. Florida Keys, Florida
Reader Score: 83.47

10. Captiva Island, Florida
Reader Score: 82.90

11. San Juan Islands, Washington
Reader Score: 82.60