Chicago’s awards and accolades, which recognize everything from dining and hotels to business and tourism, extend through the years. Here’s just a sampling of the recognition the city has received.
2025
City-wide awards
- Chicago is named one of the world’s best cities for culture in 2025 by Time Out, the only U.S. city to make the list.
- Chicago has been ranked the safest city for LGBTQ+ travelers, according to the 2025 Misterb&b’s Queer Safety Index.
2024
City-wide awards
- Condé Nast Traveler‘s prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Chicago first on their list of Best Big Cities in the U.S. for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year.
- Ranked 2nd in the 2024 America’s Best Big Cities Report
- Chicago was ranked the fourteenth-best city in the world in the 2024 Time Out Index Survey
- Multiple sources ranked Chicago highly in walkability compared to other U.S. cities, including SmarterTravel, USA TODAY, Condé NastTraveler, and WalkScore.com.
Hotels
- Two Chicago hotels ranked in the top ten in U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Hotels in the USA for 2024: The Langham (3rd) and The Peninsula (4th)
- The Langham, the Peninsula, and the Trump International Hotel & Tower were each awarded five stars in Forbes’ list of 2024 Star Awards Winners.
Transportation
- O’Hare International Airport named most-connected airport in the United States by the Official Aviation Guide’s (OAG) 2024 Megahubs Index
Food and beverage, attractions, and neighborhoods
- Kumiko in the West Loop was named one of the 100 Best Bars in the World (82nd) by The World’s 50 Best
- Nine Chicago restaurants ranked in La Liste’sTop 1000 Restaurants 2024: Smyth, Alinea, Oriole, Boka, Miru, Ever, The Dining Room at Moody Tongue, and Nobu Chicago
- Lula’s Cafe in Logan Square received the 2024 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Hospitality
- Chicagoland is home to over 150 MICHELIN-recommended restaurants, including 20 MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
2023
City-wide awards
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Chicago first on their list Best Big Cities in the U.S. for an historic seventh straight year.
- Chicago was ranked as the second-best city in the country in the 2023 America’s Best Cities Report (after being named fourth best in 2022)
- Chicago was named the 2023 best big city for creatives in the United States by Business Name Generator
- Chicago was named top North American Destination for Architecture Lovers by Buildworld.
Hotels
- The Langham Chicago was ranked in the top ten (#8) of the Best Hotels in the USA by U.S. News & World Report
- The Peninsula Chicago was named the “#2 Hotel in the World” by La Liste and “Best Hotel in Continental U.S.” by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2023
- The Langham, Peninsula Chicago, and Trump International Hotel & Tower were each awarded 5-star ratings in the 2023 Star Awards Winners – Forbes Travel Guide
Transportation
- GT & OAG rankings not yet released for 2023
- Chicago was named in the top ten most walkable US cities by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards (9th place) and Thrillist
- Chicago was named the third best city in the US for public transportation by Business Insider
Dining, attractions, and neighborhoods
- Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago was named a Top 10 Best Food Tour in America by USA Today and one of the Top 20 Food and Culinary Experiences in the World by TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers Choice Awards.
- Chicago’s German-American Oktoberfest was named one of the best Oktoberfests by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards
- Navy Pier named the best place to see fireworks in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards
- The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruises aboard Chicago’s First Lady ranked #2 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards
- Hyde Park was named the 19th coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out
- Damarr Brown of Virtue in Hyde Park received the Emerging Chef award from the James Beard Foundation
- Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of Kasama were jointly received the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes for their work at Kasama in Ukrainian Village
- Michelin Guide restaurants:
- 45 Chicago restaurants are listed in the Bib Gourmand category
- 16 restaurants have a single MICHELIN Star
- Three restaurants have two MICHELIN Stars (Oriole, Ever, & Moody Tongue)
- Two restaurants have three MICHELIN Stars (Smyth & Alinea)
- Christian Hunter of Atelier in Lincoln Square received the 2023 Young Chef Award from MICHELIN Guide Chicago
- Monica Casillas-Rios of Elske in the West Loop received the 2023 Exceptional Cocktails Award from MICHELIN Guide Chicago
- Alex Ring of Sepia in the West Loop received the 2023 Sommelier Award from MICHELIN Guide Chicago
- Josh Perlman of Giant in Logan Square received the 2023 Service Award from MICHELIN Guide Chicago
- Alinea was honored by Forbes Travel Guide with a 5-star rating in the 2023 Star Awards Winners – Forbes Travel Guide
- O’Hare International Airport was named the Favorite Airport for Dining for the 4th straight year by Trazee Travel
- The Garfield Park Conservatory was named one of the Best Botanical Gardens in America by explore.com
2022
City-wide awards
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Chicago #1 on their list of Best Big Cities in the U.S. for an unprecedented sixth consecutive year.
- Chicago has been named the fourth best city in the country in the 2022 America’s Best Cities Report.
- Chicago was ranked the second best city in the world (and the first in North America) in the 2022 Time Out Index Survey.
Hotels
- The Peninsula Chicago has been named the #1 best hotel in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The Langham, Chicago also ranked in the top 10 hotels in the U.S.
- Forbes Travel Guide honored three Chicago hotels (The Four Seasons, The Langham, Chicago and The Peninsula Chicago) with 5-star ratings in the 2022 Star Awards Winners – Forbes Travel Guide.
- The Chicago Athletic Association has been named the top hotel in Chicago by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
Transportation
- O’Hare International Airport has been named the “Best Airport in North America” for the 19th consecutive year and “Best Airport Dining” for the third consecutive year by Global Traveler (GT) magazine.
- O’Hare International Airport has been designated the “Most Connected Airport in the World” by Official Aviation Guide (OAG) for the first time since 2016.
Dining, attractions, and neighborhoods
- Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood was voted the third coolest neighborhood in America and #16 in the world in the 2022 Time Out Index survey.
- Chicago Architecture Center tour aboard Chicago’s First Lady was voted the #2 boat tour in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice 2022 Awards.
- Alinea was honored by Forbes Travel Guide with a 5-star rating in the 2022 Star Awards Winners – Forbes Travel Guide.
- The prestigious Michelin Guide awarded 23 Chicago restaurants with Michelin stars and 55 with Bib Gourmand recommendations.
- Chef Erick Williams of Virtue Restaurant and Bar received the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes region.
- Kumiko was named one of the World’s 50 Best Bars.
2021
City-wide awards
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards rank Chicago #1 on their list of Best Big Cities in the U.S. for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year.
- Chicago was ranked the second most beautiful city in the world (and the first in North America) by 27,000 Time Out Index survey voters from across the globe.
- Chicago has been named the third best city in the country in the 2021 America’s Best Cities Report.
- Big 7 Travel has rated Chicago one of the 50 Most Instagrammable Places in the World 2021 and one of the most Romantic Cities in the U.S.
Transportation
- O’Hare International Airport was named “Favorite Airport in North America” for the second consecutive year by Global Traveler Magazine’s Trazee Awards.
- Chicago Transit Authority named #1 transit agency in the U.S. by World Business Chicago.
Dining, attractions, and neighborhoods
- Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood was voted the coolest neighborhood in America and the second-coolest neighborhood in the world in the 2021 Time Out Index survey.
- Garfield Park Conservatory was named the best garden in North America by Yelp users.
- Rose Mary, a Croatian restaurant by Top Chef winner Joe Flamm in Fulton Market, was named one of the 21 best new restaurants in the world right now by TimeOut.
- Chicago Architecture Center tour aboard Chicago’s First Lady was voted the #1 boat tour in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice 2021 Awards.
- Chicago is among the best sports cities in the world, according to 2021 Burson Cohn & Wolfe’s annual World Sports City Ranking.
Hotels
- US News & World Report has ranked two Chicago hotels (The Peninsula Chicago and The Langham, Chicago) among the top 5 best hotels in the country.
- Forbes Travel Guide honored three Chicago hotels (The Four Seasons, The Langham, Chicago and The Peninsula Chicago) with 5-star ratings in the 2021 Star Awards Winners – Forbes Travel Guide.
2020
Tourism
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards rank Chicago #1 on their list of Best Big Cities in the U.S. for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year.
- GayCities.com 2020 “Best of GayCities” Travel Awards: Best Iconic Road Trip (runner-up), Urban Outdoor Hangout (runner-up), Murals that Matter (bronze), Pride in Black-owned Businesses (silver)
Business
- Chicago named top metro area for corporate investment, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
2019
Tourism
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards rank Chicago #1 on their list of Best Large Cities in the U.S. for the third consecutive year.
Attractions
- The Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood and the Unity Temple in suburban Oak Park are named UNESCO World Heritage sites, part of eight sites that represent the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Food and drink
- The global Time Out Index 2019 named Chicago the best food and drink city in the world and the third best cityin the world overall.
- Twenty-five Chicago restaurants are awarded coveted stars in the Michelin Guide 2020 and 54 Chicago restaurants received Bib Gourmand designations for high-quality food with affordable prices.
- Z Bar at The Peninsula was named one of the best hotel bars in the world by Forbes.
Hotels
- TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards rank The Peninsula Chicago (#1) The Langham, Chicago (#3), and Four Seasons Chicago (#18) among the Top 25 Luxury Hotels — United States.
- U.S. News & World Report names three Chicago hotels best in the country: The Peninsula Chicago (#2), Four Seasons Chicago (#5), The Langham, Chicago (#7).
Meetings
- Chicago was named one of the topNorth American markets that meeting planners intend to use in the next two years, according to STR’s 2019 DestinationMAP (Meeting Assessment Program).
2018
Tourism
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards rank Chicago #1 on their list of 2018 Best Big Cities in the U.S.
- TripAdvisor ranks the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise as one of the top attractions in the country (Time).
- Time Out names Chicago “The World’s Best City For Having It All.”
- TripExpert awards Maggie Daley Park a 2018 Experts’ Choice Award for Attractions (CBS).
- Forbes names Pilsen one of The 12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World.
- TripAdvisor names the Art Institute of Chicago #4 on its list of Top 25 Museums – United States.
Food and drink
- Joe Flamm, Executive Chef of Chicago’s Michelin-starred Spiaggia and Café Spiaggia, is named Bravo’s new Top Chef.
- Fat Rice chef/owner Abe Conlon wins James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes.
- Twenty-five Chicago restaurants are awarded with coveted stars in the Michelin Guide 2018.
- Food and Wine names Chicago chef Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojeria one of the Best New Chefs 2018.
- Elite Traveler ranks Alinea #1 on its list of the Top 100 Restaurants in the World for 2018.
- The Chicago Tribune announces Cheers, Chicago! You’re home to the most breweries in the U.S.
Business
- Site Selection names Chicago the top metro area in the nation for corporate relocation and investment for the third consecutive year.
Tech Innovation
- Smart Cities Connect awards Chicago a Smart 50 Award for its innovative Array of Things program, the first of its kind to be implemented on a city-wide scale.
2017
Tourism
- Chicago tops Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for 2017 Best Cities in the U.S.
- Chicago is Expedia’s most searched for city in America.
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon is named to Compression+Design’s list of Great Running and Cycling Races From Every State.
- TripAdvisor reveals Shoreline Sightseeing’s Chicago Architecture River Cruise as the most booked tour in America.
- The City of Chicago reveals that Millennium Park is the #1 attraction in the Midwest and one of America’s top 10 most-visited sites.
Food and drink
- Condé Nast Traveler names Chicago Best Restaurant City in America.
- Bon Appetit names Chicago the Restaurant City of the Year 2017.
- Food and Wine names Chicago chef Noah Sandoval of Oriole one of the Best New Chefs 2017.
- Rick Bayless’ Topolobampo wins the Outstanding Restaurant award at the James Beard Awards; Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde was awarded with Best Chef: Great Lakes.
- Chicago’s critically acclaimed Alinea ranks #21 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Hotels
- U.S. News & World Report names The Langham, Chicago the Best Hotel in the U.S.
- The Robey Chicago makes Travel+Leisure’s 2017 It List.
Tech innovation
- Modis names Chicago the nation’s top tech hot spot of the future.
2016
Tourism
- TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travelers’ Choice Awards rank Chicago #4 on their list of Top 25 Destinations — United States
- Chicago tops Time Out’s global ranking of the world’s most fun cities.
- Condé Nast Traveler names Chicago one of The Best Big Cities in the U.S.
- Chicago tops Bicycling.com’s list of The 50 Best Bike Cities of 2016.
- Travel + Leisure names Chicago one of The Best Cities in the U.S.
- TripAdvisor names Art Insitute of Chicago among its Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums in the World.
- Chicago is named #6 on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the Top 25 Best Coastal Cities in the World.
Food and drink
- Food & Wine names Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio one of the Top 10 Restaurants of the Year.
- The Beard Awards to Remain in Chicago Through 2021
Hotels
- The Chicago Athletic Association makes Travel+Leisure’sIt List 2016: the Best New Hotels on the Planet.
- Condé Nast Traveler’s2016 Readers’ Choice Awards name Virgin Hotels Chicago and Thompson Chicagothe #1 and #2 hotels in America.
- The Langham, Chicago ranks #1 on trivago’s list of The Best Hotels in the U.S.
