Choose Chicago is delighted to announce that Chicago has been selected to host the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. Following a historic 6th year consecutive win as Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best Big City,” we know the below tally of exciting new hotels, inventive restaurants, dynamic exhibitions, and eclectic festivals offers just a taste of what’s in-store this summer season.
Furthermore, brace yourself for the rush of adrenaline as elite hydrofoil catamarans take to the waters of Lake Michigan for the kick-off of the fourth season of SailGP and as NASCAR races through the downtown streets of Chicago during the brand’s first ever Street Race Weekend. Music lovers will rejoice with the return of iconic Lollapalooza, while the best pitmasters and country music lovers in the nation will converge on the city for the return of Windy City Smokeout
Come and discover big-city culture, Midwestern hospitality, and urban adventure; visit ChooseChicago.com for more information.
Recent Accolades
Business Insider designated Chicago one of the 23 best places to travel to in the U.S. in 2023. The publication cited the city’s upcoming NASCAR race, the Art Institute of Chicago’s Van Gogh retrospective exhibit, and the forthcoming St. Regis Chicago hotel as a few reasons visitors should travel to the city.
com designated Chicago as one of the Best Places to Travel in 2023, particularly for solo travelers due to its affordable eats and ease of public transit.
Chicago attractions were recognized in the following categories of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2023:
10 Best Urban Kayaking Destinations in the U.S. (#5)
10 Best Religious Museums in the U.S. (Loyola University Museum of Art, #8)
10 Best Zoos in the US for 2023 (Brookfield Zoo, #5)
10 Best Specialty Food Festivals in the U.S. (Pizza City Fest, #9 and Windy City Smokeout, #2)
10 Best Triathlons in the U.S. (Chicago Triathlon, #4)
10 Best Marathons in the U.S. (Bank of America Chicago Marathon, #4)
10 Must-See Fireworks Spectaculars This Summer (Navy Pier, #1)
10 Outdoor Concert Series This Summer (Millennium Park Summer Music Series, #6)
10 Incredible Splash Pads (Adams Park, #6)
Top Places For Summer Vacation in the U.S. (Chicago, #5)
Chicago won recognition from Food & Wine’s new Global Tastemakers Awards in several categories:
10 Best Cities for Neighborhood Restaurants in the U.S. (#4)
The Best Cities for Food in the U.S. (#6)
The 10 Best Bars in the U.S. (The Violet Hour, #10)
The 5 Most Creative Bars in the U.S. (The Violet Hour, #1, The Aviary, #2)
Big Jones Restaurant chef and owner, Paul Fehribach was recognized as a nominee for Best Chef in the Midwest, 2023 by the James Beard Foundation. When he is not in the kitchen, Fehribach has been writing his multi-year cookbook project “Midwestern Food: A Chef’s Guide to the Surprising History of a Great American Cuisine” available for purchase in mid-October 2023 from local booksellers online and at Big Jones.
The prestigious James Beard Awards will be returning to Chicago to honor the best restaurants and chefs in America on June 5, 2023. The list of Chicago semifinalist contenders include:
Smyth: Outstanding Restaurant
Damarr Brown, Virtue: Emerging Chef
Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining: Best New Restaurant
Obélix: Best New Restaurant
Sepia: Outstanding Hospitality
All Together Now: Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Diana Dávila Boldin, Mi Tocaya Antojería: Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2023
Thai Dang, HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen: Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2023
Paul Fehribach, Big Jones: Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2023
Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, Kasama: Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2023
Zubair Mohajir, Wazwan: Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2023
North America’s 50 Best Bars named Kumiko and Milk Room to their 2023 list.
