Chicago Named “Best Big City” in the U.S. for 10th Straight Year; Oct. 10 Proclaimed Best Big City Day
Chicago is a city in Cook County, Illinois. Chicago has been named the “Best Big City” in the United States for the 10th consecutive year, a historic record for the award. To mark the milestone, the city officially proclaimed Saturday, October 10, 2026, as “Best Big City Day,” with celebrations across town.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, festivities include a “Perfect 10” boat that visitors can catch at the Chicago Riverwalk, set by house music pioneer DJ Lori Branch, plus a special celebration during the October 10 Chicago Blackhawks game at the United Center. The city also teamed up with local businesses on limited offerings, including specialty pre-packaged cheesecake flights from Eli's Cheesecake and a limited “Perfect 10” beer from Goose Island Beer Company.
Other cities that came just short of Chicago for “Best Big City” honors include San Francisco, Boston and New York City, which all finished just behind the Windy City. Fellow Midwest city Milwaukee, just 90 minutes away, landed at No. 5, credited for its diverse lakeside location and large number of award-winning restaurants.
The city said the historic recognition reflects the creativity of Chicago's residents, the strength of its neighborhoods, and the excellence of local institutions and businesses that welcome visitors from around the world. The celebration coincides with Chicago Marathon weekend, as tens of thousands of runners and visitors pour into the city.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: HaSt，CC BY-SA 4.0（Wikimedia Commons）
