'Hidden gem' Greenville ranks No. 6 in Southern Living's South's Best Cities 2024 list.

Greenville is no longer a city on the rise ― it has risen.

For the first time, the "hidden gem destination" is among Southern Living's reader-voted best cities southern cities 2024. What's even more impressive is its ranking at No. 6 on the list out of 25 cities.

In the Top 10, Greenville surpassed cities like Atlanta, Austin, Raleigh and even Orlando.

What exactly does Southern Living find special about the list's "newcomer?"

"Greenville is at the center of everything. You can be in Asheville in an hour, Atlanta in two, and Charleston in three. But with the city's gorgeous Falls Park on the Reedy, a walkable and lively downtown, and the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail connecting major attractions throughout the city, there's really no reason to leave," the magazine said.

The City of Greenville, which has seen rapid growth in the city in recent years, welcomes the spotlight.

"'Adulting' is hard. But we're up to it," the city said in an Instagram post.

Here are the cities that made it into the Top 10:

∎ No. 1: Charleston

∎ No. 2: Savannah, Georgia

∎ No. 3: Nashville, Tennessee

∎ No. 4: New Orleans, Louisiana

∎ No. 5: Asheville, North Carolina

∎ No. 6: Greenville

∎ No. 7: Atlanta, Georgia

∎ No. 8: Austin, Texas

∎ No. 9: Raleigh, North Carolina

∎ No. 10: Orlando, Florida

"While big cities are often accused of feeling a little stale, there's no shortage of character, or what we like to call 'that special something,' among these destinations. One thing they all have in common: a hearty helping of Southern hospitality," Southern Living wrote in the article.

Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Southern Living ranks Greenville No. 6 for Falls Park, Swamp Rabbit.