Chicago just did what no American city has ever done: for the 10th consecutive year, readers of Condé Nast Traveler have named it the Best Big City in the United States. The historic announcement, made on October 6, 2026, marks a “Perfect 10” — a decade at the top of the prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards, which this year collected nearly 800,000 survey responses from travelers around the world.
Since first winning the title in 2017, Chicago has kept its crown through a remarkable decade of transformation. Readers continue to praise the city’s unbeatable combination of iconic architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, world-class museums and cultural institutions, an acclaimed culinary scene, major events, and genuine Midwestern hospitality. “Chicago is always evolving, always creating, and always giving visitors new reasons to come back,” said Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago, celebrating the milestone.
The honor arrives amid booming momentum for Chicago’s visitor economy: the city welcomed 56.8 million visitors in 2025, generating a record $21.5 billion in visitor spending and supporting more than 135,000 local jobs. And the celebration is just getting started — to mark the Perfect 10, the city has proclaimed October 10 as official “Best Big City Day” in Chicago. Happy City News is proud to share the news: Chicago is Never Done, Never Outdone.
Photo: Choose Chicago
