Chicago City Wire

Chicago has been named the Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the eighth consecutive year. This announcement was made by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Choose Chicago, the city's official tourism agency. Over 575,000 readers participated in this year's vote.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed pride in the city, stating, "Chicagoans know that our city is second to none," and added that this accolade showcases the strength and vibrancy of Chicago's neighborhoods.

Governor JB Pritzker also commented on the achievement, saying, "Chicago’s historic eighth consecutive win of this award reflects the rich diversity of culture, culinary innovation, and experiences our city offers." He congratulated those working in Chicago's tourism and hospitality sectors for their contributions.

Condé Nast Traveler has been determining winners of its Readers’ Choice Awards for 37 years. Since 2017, Chicago has consistently been named Best Big City in the U.S., more times than any other city.

Glenn Eden, Chair of Choose Chicago's Board, remarked on the competitive nature of destination marketing post-pandemic. He stated that continuous recognition as Best Big City is a testament to local resilience and collaboration. "We have everything you could ever want to experience in a big city," he said.

Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago, highlighted the efforts behind this recognition: “Being voted Best Big City in the U.S. for eight years in a row is no small feat.” He emphasized that it reflects the dedication of every Chicagoan who promotes their city globally.

The announcement coincides with a successful summer for Chicago tourism. The city recorded 3.4 million hotel room nights over June to August—a 5% increase from summer 2023—and saw strong demand from major conventions like the DNC. Leisure travel also surged with events such as Lollapalooza contributing to 2.3 million leisure room nights.

This uptick resulted in record-breaking summer hotel revenue ($942 million) and City tax revenue ($53 million), both up by 13% compared to last year. International visitation rose by 11%, with Canadian visitors increasing by 21%.

Looking forward, Chicago anticipates a busy end to 2024 with events like Theatre Season launch, Christkindlmarket, and Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival expected to draw more visitors.

For more details on this year's Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards winners, visit their website.

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