NATCHEZ — Natchez was recently named No. 2 on a top travel media company’s “Best in the U.S.” list.

Lonely Planet featured Natchez in the top-10 list, which was released last week and includes the company’s “most unexpectedly exciting places to see in the United States in 2016.”

“We’re fascinated by the diverse cultures and historical events that have shaped Natchez, and since it’s celebrating its 300th anniversary this year — an enormous milestone — we thought it was the perfect time to spotlight a city that’s been overshadowed by New Orleans for too long,” said Rebecca Warren, Lonely Planet’s U.S. Destination editor.

Warren nominated Natchez to the list and recently authored a Lonely Planet article about the city.

Lonely Planet spokeswoman Natalie Nicolson said each year, Lonely Planet’s U.S.-based team of editors and travel writers nominate places in the U.S. “that are poised to shine in the year ahead, whether they’re already household names with fresh new reasons to visit in 2016, they’ve been getting buzz lately or they’re often overlooked and we thought it was due time they were in the spotlight.”

Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kevin Kirby said Lou Hammond & Associates sought a spot on the Lonely Planet list for Natchez and worked with the publication to provide information promoting Natchez.

Kirby said last week the list had received 7 million hits online.

“Lonely Planet has a huge following and a great following,” he said. “They look for special, unique places that need to be seen and experienced. It’s really special to be considered as a destination that has unique and rare assets. They don’t look for commonplace types of experiences; they look for experiences that really make you stand out. It’s a real compliment for Natchez.”

The list was published online at lonelyplanet.com and will also be will also be featured in the second edition of the new U.S. Lonely Planet magazine set to hit newsstands March 24.