Lynn Osmond, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, today announced that the city has been named the Best Big City in the United States for the sixth consecutive year by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Chicago has received this award since 2017. It is determined by Condé Nast Traveler readers, and it is proof of the city’s ongoing reputation as a thrilling, inviting, and top-notch vacation destination. This exceptional honor comes as Choose Chicago publishes performance data from Summer 2022 showing that leisure and business travel are almost fully back to levels from 2019.
“There are so many reasons why Chicago is the Best Big City in the U.S. – we have world-class restaurants, top-tier hotels and meeting spaces, cultural institutions and entertainment venues that can rival the best in the world and vibrant, diverse neighborhoods that make sure there is something for every visitor,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.
“Most importantly, our city is full of people and organizations that care deeply and work tirelessly to make Chicago the most welcoming and inviting city in the world. I want to thank the tourism and hospitality professionals that make this award possible year after year and the millions of visitors that keep coming back to Chicago to explore everything our city has to offer.”
Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, the travel industry’s oldest and most prestigious award, are determined each year by surveying hundreds of thousands of readers about their travel experiences. In the 35-year history of the Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards, more than 240,000 readers from across the country have cast their votes for their favorite cities in America. This year, Chicago received the most votes and took first place for the sixth consecutive year.
“It is an incredible honor to once again be voted the Best Big City in the U.S.,” said Lynn Osmond, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “This recognition does not happen by accident – it is a testament to the hard-working people that make Chicago an inviting and welcoming city. Winning this award for six straight years combined with the successful summer of travel we just wrapped up make it clear that the past, present and future of tourism in Chicago is a bright one.”