The ranking analyzed more than 10,000 municipalities with populations under 25,000, using traveler sentiment from more than 500,000 reviews along with data on hospitality, safety, walkability and community events.
VacationRenter said the awards focused on communities where visitors reported positive experiences, using review data that measured mentions of terms such as “friendly,” “helpful” and “welcoming.”
Fredericksburg was one of two Texas communities included in the list, joining Marfa, which ranked No. 49.
Known for its German heritage, historic downtown, wineries and Hill Country scenery, Fredericksburg has become one of the region’s most visited destinations. The town attracts visitors with its Main Street shops, locally owned restaurants, wine tourism, and festivals.
The ranking placed Fredericksburg among several other nationally recognized small-town destinations, including Moab, Utah; Sedona, Arizona; Telluride, Colorado; and Bar Harbor, Maine.
According to VacationRenter, the awards also considered factors beyond visitor reviews, including community event frequency, safety data and walkability scores, to create a “Welcoming Score” for each community.
The full VacationRenter list included 50 communities across the country, with Fredericksburg representing one of the highest-ranked Texas destinations.