Orange Beach/Gulf Shores was named Alabama’s best small town by Southern Living, saying “it has long been Alabamians’ favorite coastal destination.”

The magazine, as part of its “South’s Best” series, also named Huntsville as the No. 4 Southern City on the Rise.

The resort towns got picked using the results of a survey of more than 20,000 respondents last year, asking them to rate their favorite Southern destinations.

Other Southern small towns that made the list were St. Augustine, Fla., Tybee Island, Ga., Ocean Springs, Miss. and Gatlinburg, Tenn.

The piece declared: “From the famous Bushwhacker at the Flora-Bama to the abundance of fresh seafood you can find at area restaurants like Doc’s Seafood Shack, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are the epitome of beach-side relaxation.”

The magazine went on to name the 24 best things to do in the Gulf resort towns.

Among them were resting on “white sand beaches,” exploring Gulf State Park, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and suggestions for entertainment and dining options.