Two Alabama cities and four Alabama towns made the cut for Southern Living’s 2023 South’s Best Awards, including one town that ranked among the Top 10 best small towns.

In a vote that’s sure to cause no grumbling whatsoever, readers ranked Birmingham No. 16 among cities and Huntsville No. 18.

“They don’t call it the Magic City for nothing,” the magazine says of Birmingham. It highlights assets such as a world-class symphony, Oak Mountain State Park and “an astonishingly good food scene.”

“Huntsville’s legacy is manifold” and starts with “its forays into the mysteries of space,” comes the verdict on Alabama’s fastest-growing metropolis. “Beyond the celestial, Huntsville has thriving pockets of artistic and cultural experiences.”

Among smaller settlements the leader of the bunch is Fairhope, ranked No. 6 in the best small town category. The magazine will feature in-depth coverage of the winners in its April issue, which goes on sale March 17, and at www.southernliving.com.

Southern Living’s blurb opens with the rather fanciful suggestion that “When Otis Redding sat down to pen ‘The Dock of the Bay,’ he may have been dreaming about Fairhope.” It continues: “The bayside spot is populated by ethereal live oaks, brilliant azalea bushes, pastel-colored bungalows, and brick sidewalks traversing a lively downtown.”

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are lumped together at No. 15 as conjoined “coastal twins” that “boast the same sparkling turquoise water, white-sand shores, and family-friendly fun.”

Opelika lands at No. 50. “Although its big sister Auburn often steals the spotlight, Opelika is making a name for itself with hip hangouts like the coffee shop Side Track; the downtown speakeasy Sneak & Dawdle; and Botanic, a plant nursery, market, and restaurant.”

The magazine’s readers also weighed in on Alabama’s best barbecue restaurant and locally owned restaurant, among other categories. The Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa ranked No. 4 among Southern hotels, and Gulf State Park was the pick as Alabama’s best park. For the full rankings, see www.southernliving.com.