We’ll never get tired of hearing it: Chicago has been named the Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler.
This marks the eighth consecutive year the Windy City has come out on top of the publication’s annual list, but it’s not hard to understand why. With a seemingly endless supply of amazing restaurants and things to do, Chicago has plenty to offer to both locals and tourists alike. And, once again, Condé Nast Traveler readers agree.
“A world-class destination known for its impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs, and massive brewing scene, it’ll take several repeat visits to get through your list of must-dos,” Condé Nast editors wrote.
This year, more than 500,000 readers voted for their favorite destinations and venues. Chicago has been the winner of the Best Big City in the U.S. category every year since 2017, more than any other city in the history of the award.
"Chicago's historic eighth consecutive win of this award reflects the rich diversity of culture, culinary innovation, and experiences our city offers," said Governor JB Pritzker in a release. "The rest of the world is catching on to the fact that there's truly no more dynamic destination in America than right here.”
Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism agency, also released some numbers highlighting a busy summer travel season. Visitors filled a total of 3.4 million hotel rooms from June-August, and in total, 671,000 international travelers visited our great city.
Check out the full list of Best Big Cities in the United States: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards below.
Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Big Cities in the United States: 2024
- Chicago, IL
- San Diego, CA
- Milwaukee, WI
- New Orleans, LA
- Washington, D.C.
- San Francisco, CA
- Boston, MA
- New York City, NY
- Columbus, OH
- Miami, FL