- The iconic brand celebrates 10 years of Nicest Places in America, spotlighting the destinations that embody kindness, connection and community
- Josh Groban appears on the cover, becoming Reader’s Digest’s first celebrity cover star in over a decade
NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reader’s Digest today named Liverpool, New York, the Nicest Place in America for 2026, continuing its annual search for the communities and destinations where generosity, resilience and human connection shine. Each year, Nicest Places in America invites readers to nominate the towns, cities and other locations where people come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their neighbors.
Liverpool was selected for its deep-rooted culture of volunteerism, philanthropy and neighborly generosity. Among the people and organizations who embody that spirit are Ralph Rotella, a cobbler who has donated more than 300,000 pairs of shoes; Operation Northern Comfort, which mobilizes volunteers to provide repairs and assistance to people in need; and neighbors Simone McCarthy and Raiss Muya, whose story shows what people can accomplish when they come together.
“Nicest Places in America is a celebration of kindness, community and civic pride,” said Leigh Belz Ray, Editor-in-Chief of Reader’s Digest. “Liverpool, NY is the perfect example of a place where neighbors truly show up for one another and where kindness is woven throughout the fabric of everyday life. We’re thrilled to recognize it as the Nicest Place in America for 2026.”
This year, a distinguished panel of judges reviewed the hundreds of reader submissions, including Craig Melvin, co-host of NBC’s Today Show; Mitch Albom, philanthropist and bestselling author; Sandra Clark, CEO of StoryCorps; Mónica Guzmán, author and senior fellow at Braver Angels; and Molly Irani, author and restaurateur from last year’s winning place, Asheville, NC.
The 2026 finalists also recognized for their exceptional kindness include The Book Thing in Baltimore, MD; Heretic Coffee in Portland, OR; Charleston, AR; and Swanville, MN. Previous winners include Asheville, NC (2025); Provo, UT (2024) and Buffalo, NY (2023).
The Nicest Places in America initiative anchors Reader’s Digest’s October/November 2026 issue.
“To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Nicest Places in America, we wanted to do something we haven’t done in over a decade: feature a celebrity on our cover,” said Leigh Belz Ray. “We chose Josh Groban not just for his incredible talent, but for his profound understanding of human connection. As readers will discover in our intimate conversation, his journey navigating the complexities of life and his commitment to bringing people together through the arts perfectly mirror the spirit of this issue.”
The October/November Reader’s Digest issue also features an array of original reporting, including features on the trend of unregulated peptides (“Shot in the Dark” by Korin Miller); the intergenerational movement towards Analog activities like needlepoint, mahjong and collecting physical media (“Is Everything Going Analog?” by Jen Swetzoff); and the true story of a dramatic hot air balloon rescue in Texas (Drama in Real Life: “Terror at 900 Feet” by Eric Raskin); among others.
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Reader’s Digest, a part of Trusted Media Brands, simplifies and enriches consumers’ lives by discovering and expertly selecting the most interesting ideas, stories, experiences, and products in health, home, family, food, finance, and humor. Reader’s Digest is available online at RD.com, in print, and on digital platforms.
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SOURCE Reader’s Digest
