Chicago, you just keep making these top 10 lists! First for Christmas, then for the best airport, and now, WalletHub has conducted a study to figure out which U.S. cities were the absolute best to spend the holiday. As for Chicago it ranks within the top 10, sitting at number 8 on the list.
In comparing the 100 most populated cities in the country, the Windy City ranked 8th for best “epic” New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The study’s findings were based on 29 metrics, which categorizes the score based on the legality of fireworks, to the precipitation expected on December 31st of this year.
In looking at three “key” dimensions: entertainment,food and costs, they were able to calculate which cities scored the highest. The study also took safety and accessibility into account.
Chicago scored 9th in food and entertainment as a city– highlighting the restaurant and nightlife options. According to the ranking, people found Chicago at an 84 when it comes to costs, and a 56 in safety with 100 being the best.
While this wasn’t mentioned on the list–the city wants to make sure you make it home safely and is offering free rides on CTA– from 10 p.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday, use the public transit system courtesy of Miller Lite! Don’t worry about tapping your card either, as the CTA is not offering refunds to people who accidently pay!
In the free-ride period, you do not need to touch your Ventra or personal bankcards at all– as Miller Lite is paying the fee, so keep your card tucked away at all rail station turnstiles and buses during the time period. There will be signs posted on bus fare boxes with reminders- and Miller Lite will also help offset the CTA’s operating costs to run during these NYE h0urs!
As for the places that won the top spots, well, that would be NYC at #1 (for a second year in a row), followed by Orlando in 2nd, Las Vegas at 3rd, San Fran and Atlanta in 4th and 5th, and Denver and Washington D.C. placing just before Chicago! See the full list with all the details here!
[Featured photo via:Navy Pier]