For the eighth consecutive year, Chicago has been named the Best Big City in the U.S. in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This prestigious title was awarded after over 575,000 readers voted for their favorite destinations and venues.
This recognition comes after a successful summer for Chicago’s tourism, hospitality, and events industry. In fact, visitors to the city filled a record-breaking 3.4 million hotel room nights during June-August of this year – an increase of 5% compared to summer 2023.
The success can be attributed to major events such as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and other conventions which brought in demand for over one million group hotel room nights. Additionally, popular events like Lollapalooza and NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race contributed to another 2.3 million leisure room nights.
Governor JB Pritzker congratulated all those who played a role in making this achievement possible – including hard-working individuals from hotels, restaurants venues unions ,and other members of the tourism and hospitality industry across Chicago.
