Tybee Island is one of 26 places competing in America's Best Small Towns, which is sponsored by USA Today and Rand McNally.

The original pool included 650 towns across America. Tybee is specifically competing in the “Most Beautiful” subcategory. It’s facing off against Jim Thorpe, Pa., Bardstown, Ky., and Sedona, Ariz.

Tybee and the other 25 competing towns now have three weeks to prepare before inspection teams arrive for a visit, according to the contest sponsors.

The teams will be reporting back with photos, videos and blog entries, documenting their stays in the towns.

Tybee is a barrier island about 20 miles east of Savannah.

Peachtree City and Valdosta were finalists last year.

Tags: Tybee Island, USA Today, America's Best Small Towns, Rand McNally