Chicago Overtakes New York and Boston as Travel + Leisure Magazine's Favorite City, Claims Top Spot

Chicago continues to earn recognition as one of the best cities to live in or visit, consistently ranking high in various reports. In the latest news, Travel + Leisure Magazine, as part of its annual "World's Best Values" survey, revealed the favorite cities among its readers. While Chicago didn't claim the top spot, it secured a significant position in the rankings.

The survey gathered responses from nearly 165,000 Travel + Leisure readers who assessed cities based on various factors such as landmarks, food, culture, friendliness, shopping, and value. The final rankings were determined by averaging the scores of the respondents' ratings.

Charleston, South Carolina, emerged as the number one city for the second consecutive year, praised for its perfect blend of Southern charm and urban appeal. Meanwhile, Chicago claimed the fifth spot on the list, surpassing renowned cities like New York City, Honolulu, and Bend, Oregon.

According to Travel + Leisure's report, Chicago received high praise from readers who appreciate its world-class art galleries, museums, vibrant performing arts scene, and diverse culinary offerings. However, it is the city's magnificent skyline that truly captivates visitors, especially during an "extraordinary" architecture cruise along the Chicago River.

Here is the complete ranking of readers' favorite cities according to the survey:

1. Charleston, South Carolina

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

4. Savannah, Georgia

5. Chicago, Illinois

6. Honolulu, Hawaii

7. New York, New York

8. Nashville, Tennessee

9. Alexandra, the Virgin

10. San Antonio, Texas

11. Williamsburg, Virginia

12. Bend, Oregon

13. San Diego, California

14. Boston, Massachusetts

15. Asheville, North Carolina

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