Recognition by iconic travel publication is the latest acknowledgment of Chicago’s enduring global appeal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com, (312) 259-5708
Chicago, IL (October 30, 2025) – Today, Chicago was named one of Frommer’s “Best Places to Go in 2026”, the first time Chicago has been included in this prestigious list of global destinations. One of only 16 global locations on the list, Frommer’s cited the openings of the Obama Presidential Center and The Hand & The Eye magic venue at McCormick Mansion, International Jazz Day, the Chicago Architecture Biennial, and the Route 66 centennial as reasons to visit Chicago in 2026.
“We’re thrilled that Frommer’s—one of the most trusted voices in travel—has named Chicago among the world’s best places to go in 2026. From our unmatched culture and culinary scene to our rich history and world-renowned architecture, Chicago continues to inspire visitors from around the globe,” said Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “With the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, the Route 66 Centennial, the WNBA All-Star Game, and so much more in 2026, there’s never been a more exciting time to experience why Chicago is a city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone.”
Created in 1957, Frommer’s has changed the way the world travels, today offering nearly 100 guidebooks along with travel resources and information on their website. Their annual “Best Places to Go” is a curated list of recommendations designed to introduce global travelers to the most relevant and rewarding people, places, and cultures around the world. In addition to Chicago, the 2026 list includes Portugal’s Algarve region; Viti Levu, Fiji; Patagonia Azul, Argentina; and Adelaide, Australia.
“If your mindset needs a reboot, do what travelers do: Climb out of your usual circular thinking and seek a reset at the end of a journey,” Frommer’s said. “We live in a wide world with more than one way of doing things. Plug into enduring truths of humankind and renovate your perspective at one of our 2026 Best Places to Go destinations.”
This recognition is just the latest prestigious travel organization to acknowledge Chicago’s global appeal. Early this month, Chicago was once again named Best Big City in the U.S. in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards. Time Out Magazine named Chicago one of the Best Cities for Culture in the world—the only U.S. city to make the list. Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood was also named the world’s fifth coolest neighborhood by Time Out and the top-ranked neighborhood in the U.S.
The data shows that travelers and meeting attendees continue to flock to Chicago. This summer, the city filled more hotel rooms than ever before, and O’Hare International Airport had its busiest summer of all time. Through September, Chicago has filled over 8.9 million hotel rooms, 3.6% more than the same period last year. In recent weeks, Chicago has held numerous successful major conventions, with the NECA Convention and CHEST 2025 among the recent shows that broke attendance records.
Chicago is powering up for an exciting 2026 across arts, culture, meetings, and sports. Chicago will host the Men’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament, the NCAA Midwest Regional, and the WNBA All-Star Game in 2026, while leveraging the opportunity afforded by the World Cup with local programming and activations. 2026 will also be a strong year for Chicago meetings and conventions, headlined by the NAACP Annual Convention in July.
To read the full list of Best Places to Go in 2026, visit Frommers.com.
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About Choose Chicago: Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination—the city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city’s unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and more than 55 million annual visitors, generating over $20 billion in economic impact. Follow @choosechicago and tag #NeverOutdoneChi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
