CHICAGO – For the ninth 12 months in a row, Chicago has been topped the Greatest Massive Metropolis in the USA by the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Alternative Awards.
The 2025 Readers’ Alternative Awards, based mostly on greater than 750,000 votes, as soon as once more acknowledged Chicago’s mixture of tradition, structure, eating, and hospitality.
Town was additionally named one of many friendliest on this planet by the U.Okay. version of Condé Nast Traveller, the one U.S. metropolis to earn that honor this 12 months.
What they’re saying:
Condé Nast praised the Windy Metropolis in its summation: “It is no surprise Chicago tops this record but once more. A world-class vacation spot identified for its spectacular structure, first-rate museums, sensible cooks, and large brewing scene, it’ll take a number of repeat visits to get by way of your record of must-dos. Most individuals begin downtown—from the Magnificent Mile to the ritzy Gold Coast to funky Outdated City—however there are 77 neighborhoods to discover, the place you may discover cutting-edge eating places, chilled-out nook bars, and, regardless of the place you go, a number of the most nice folks you may discover wherever.
“This recognition is a testomony to the folks of Chicago—their welcoming spirit, creativity, and grit,” Mayor Brandon Johnson mentioned in a press release. “Chicago’s energy has all the time come from its residents, whose exhausting work and pleasure shine by way of in each neighborhood, restaurant, theater, and resort throughout our metropolis.”
Gov. JB Pritzker added that the popularity highlights Chicago’s “energy, resilience, and coronary heart.”
High large cities within the U.S.
Rating:
Listed below are the highest large cities within the U.S., in line with the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Alternative Awards:
10. Seattle
9. New York Metropolis
8. Columbus, Ohio
7. San Diego
6. Washington D.C.
5. New Orleans
4. Portland, Oregon
3. Milwaukee
2. San Francisco
1. Chicago
By the numbers:
Select Chicago reported a record-breaking summer time for lodges, with greater than 3.5 million rooms occupied from June by way of August—a 4.3% enhance over 2024—and almost $950 million in income. Final 12 months, town welcomed about 55 million guests, producing greater than $20 billion in financial influence and supporting over 130,000 native jobs.
The Supply: The data on this report got here from Condé Nast Traveler and Select Chicago.
