Conde Nast Traveler just released their 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and NYC didn’t quite take the #1 spot. In fact, we weren’t even close!
The annual report gets voted on by readers under a wide range of categories. And though more than half a million people participated this year, we can’t say we agree with their decision to put New York City as #8 on the “Best Big Cities in the U.S.” Somehow, NYC even managed to drop in ranking from last year’s seventh place.
Here’s what they had to say:
8. New York City
New York City buzzes as though perpetually caffeinated (and most of its residents probably are)—packed with people moving, creating, and making the most of every block. After a requisite visit to a few world-class museums (you can never take enough trips to the Met or the Guggenheim), make like a local by tucking into soup dumplings in Chinatown, pizza in Greenwich Village, and steak frites in Soho, and walking it all off on the High Line; or picnic in Bryant Park. Of course, there are four boroughs beyond Manhattan, and they deserve love, too; stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge for a drink at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, or venture out to Long Island City for a day at MoMa PS1. In this town for all seasons, there’s no wrong itinerary.
As for who took the #1 spot? Leave it to Chicago, the first place winner for the eighth consecutive year now!
But you know what they say—first is the worst, second is the best, eighth is the…okay we tried. And no matter what NYC, you’ll always be first place in our hearts.
San Diego, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Washington D.C., San Fransisco, Boston, Columbus, and Miami rounded out the remainder of the top 10.
Readers’ Choice Awards also has categories for “Best Small Cities,” in addition to everything from best hotels to best airlines to best spa resorts — basically anything to do with travel.
Contributions made by Justine Golata