America's Favorite Cities 2007 | Chicago | Travel + Leisure

Chicago

© Francois Dischinger

The Windy City's restaurants get top marks, even if its weather comes in last.

Best Feature

Skyline/views (#1)

Worst Feature

Weather (#25)
After dark
Category Score Rank
After Dark (Overall) 4.65 6
Clubbing 4.61 6
Cocktail hour 4.66 6
Live music 4.72 5
Singles scene 4.61 6
Characteristics
Category Score Rank
Affordability 3.54 13
Characteristics (Overall) 3.84 12
Ease of getting around/public transportation 4.40 4
Environmental awareness 3.87 11
Gay-friendliness 4.22 9
Peace and quiet 3.34 15
People-watching 4.58 7
Safety 3.75 16
Weather 3.15 25
Cityscape
Category Score Rank
Access to outdoors 4.34 14
Cityscape (Overall) 4.49 4
Cleanliness 4.20 10
Notable neighborhoods 4.60 5
Pedestrian friendliness 4.27 10
Public parks/spaces 4.64 3
Skyline/views 4.87 1
Culture
Category Score Rank
Architecture/notable buildings 4.80 3
Classical music 4.45 3
Culture (Overall) 4.55 3
Historical sites/monuments 4.29 11
Museums/galleries 4.80 3
Theater 4.56 3
Underground arts scene 4.29 7
Food/dining
Category Score Rank
Barbecue 4.05 7
Big-name restaurants 4.72 3
Cheap eats 4.34 5
Coffee 4.32 8
Ethnic food 4.74 4
Farmers’ markets 3.84 15
Food/Dining (Overall) 4.43 1
Pizza 4.80 1
People
Category Score Rank
Athletic/active 4.09 13
Attractive 4.18 11
Diverse 4.56 5
Friendly 4.20 12
Fun 4.46 6
Intelligent 4.30 9
People (Overall) 4.27 5
Stylish 4.20 6
Worldly 4.19 6
Shopping
Category Score Rank
Antiques 4.19 8
Flea markets 3.75 14
Home design 4.49 1
Jewelry 4.54 5
Luxury boutiques 4.67 4
Shoes 4.57 3
Shopping (Overall) 4.38 3
Vintage (clothing and jewelry) 4.31 7
Type of trip
Category Score Rank
Active/adventure vacation 3.62 18
Business trip (that’s secretly fun) 4.65 1
Family vacation 4.29 11
Girlfriend getaway 4.58 3
Relaxing retreat 3.77 17
Romantic escape 4.28 11
Sophisticated getaway 4.56 3
Sports fan’s vacation 4.71 1
Type of trip (Overall) 4.33 4
Wild weekend 4.49 6

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