The Windy City has been awarded first place for the sixth year in a row!
An annual comprehensive survey carried out by award-winning magazine Condé Nast Traveler has deemed Chicago the top city in the United States once again.
Now in its 35th year, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards allows readers to weigh in on travel experiences each year, compiling lists of the best hotels, airlines, cruises, islands, and more. It’s the cities big and large we have our eyes on each year, of course, and once again we were elated to see that Chicago maintained its position at the top of the best big cities in the United States.
“Enthusiasm for travel has never been higher, as demonstrated by the nearly quarter of a million of you who filled out this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards Survey. From the top large U.S. city, Chicago, to the top international airline, Singapore Airlines, this year’s list is a testament to the staying power of perennial favorites, through thick and thin”, wrote Condé Nast Traveler.
This year was again split into two categories: big cities with populations of over 250,000 and small cities with populations of under 250,000. While South Carolina’s Charleston reclaimed first place from Colorado’s Aspen in the small city survey, it was Chicago that was again awarded first place in the larger category defending its title as the best big city in the United States.
It’s an unprecedented sixth year running that Chicago has taken the top spot and this year Condé Nast Travel praised the Windy City for “its impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs, and massive brewing scene.”
The Magnificent Mile, “ritzy Gold Coast”, and “funky Old Town” received special mention but it’s no specific zone of Chicago that defines this wonderful metropolis. There is no doubt that the 77 diverse and distinct neighborhoods offer an unparalleled array of refreshing restaurants and bustling bars but it’s “some of the most pleasant people you’ll find anywhere” that truly earned Chicago that gold medal.
Condé Nast Travel has been in print since 1987, in the 35th year of the Readers’ Choice Awards, it’s one of the most poignant surveys to date given the vicissitudes of recent years and the limitations to travel.
Hawaii’s largest city and capital Honolulu came in second followed by California’s San Diego in third while Nashville and New York City made up the top 5.
Take pride Chicagoans, in knowing that you live in a city beyond compare.
[Featured image from Pexels]