THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The recognition comes as Choose Chicago releases performance data from Summer 2022 which shows leisure and business travel approaching a full return to 2019 levels.

"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 in a statement. "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."

This year, more than 240,000 readers weighed in on their favorite U.S. cities and Chicago was ranked first overall for an unprecedented sixth straight year. No other city has been voted Best Big City in the U.S. more than three straight times in the 35-year history of the Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards.

The 2022 Readers' Choice Awards are published on Conde Nast Traveler's website at cntraveler.com and celebrated in the November issue.