TripAdvisor Users Rank Chicago Number Two for Top U.S. Destination in the Sixth Annual Traveler's Choice Destination Awards

 TripAdvisor announced its 2014 top U.S. destinations as voted by traveler reviews, putting Chicago at number two, surpassing San Francisco in this year's ranking.

Travelers' Choice Destinations honor top travel spots worldwide based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, attractions and restaurants in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

“The City of Chicago is thrilled to take the second spot on TripAdvisor's Top U.S. Destination in their annual Traveler's Choice Destination Awards. From our hotels and restaurants to festivals and conventions, Chicago is home to some of the best attractions that the country has to offer, and our ranking is a reflection of that. Expanding tourism in Chicago is a key part of creating local jobs and growing the Chicago economy, which is why we have significantly increased our investments in tourism and set a goal of 55 million visitors to the city annually by 2020.”

“This ranking is another indicator that Chicago continues to deliver a memorable experience for visitors,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “Chicago continues to reinvent and elevate itself as a leading destination for domestic and international travelers.  Our market is responding to the heightened demand in leisure tourism with highly anticipated hotel openings this year, including the world's first Virgin Hotel.”


Here are the top cities from the Travelers' Choice U.S. list:


1. New York, New York
2. Chicago, Illinois
3. San Francisco, California
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Los Angeles, California
7. San Diego, California
8. Seattle, Washington
9. Washington, D.C.
10. Orlando, Florida
11. Honolulu, Hawaii
12. Houston, Texas
13. Charleston, South Carolina
14. Boston, Massachusetts
15. Portland, Oregon
16. San Antonio, Texas
17. Palm Springs, California
18. Austin, Texas
19. Branson, Missouri
20. Atlanta, Georgia
21. Phoenix, Arizona
22. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
23. Saint Louis, Missouri
24. Nashville, Tennessee
25. Miami Beach, Florida