These are the best big cities in America according to Condé Nast readers, and L.A. and NYC didn't even crack the top 5

Luxury travel authority Condé Nast Traveler revealed its list of thhis year’s Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Cities in the World for 2025, and according to their well-traveled readership, no U.S. city made the cut. Fortunately, there's also a Best Cities in the U.S. list, but in yet another surprising turn, New York City didn't crack the top five and Los Angeles didn't even make the list. Here are the U.S. cities that were voted best in the U.S.

RECOMMENDED: The 2025 America's Best Cities list is here—see which city came out on top

When it comes to big cities, Chicago tops the list—again. The Windy City nails the balance between global sophistication and Midwestern warmth. With 77 neighborhoods to explore, visitors can bounce from Michelin-starred restaurants to corner taverns, from the Art Institute to indie galleries and from sleek downtown towers to leafy lakefront parks—all in one day. Whether you’re geeking out on architecture or tracking down the city’s best deep dish, Chicago’s got a rhythm that’s hard to beat.

In second place, San Francisco proves that small can still be mighty. At just 49 square miles, the City by the Bay packs in icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, alongside cutting-edge art, world-class dining and quick escapes to redwood forests.

Milwaukee takes the third spot, showing it’s far more than Chicago’s little sibling. Its lakefront location fuels a thriving local food movement, while restored neighborhoods like the Third Ward have turned the city into a creative hub of shops, galleries and great beer.

Next up is Portland, Oregon, the original cool kid. Long before farm-to-table and craft everything went mainstream, Portland was living it. With its mix of forests, trails and boundary-pushing food and design scenes, it’s one of the country’s most effortlessly livable cities.

Rounding out the top five, New Orleans keeps the good times—and deep culture—rolling. Beyond Bourbon Street and beignets, the city’s blend of Creole, Cajun, French, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences runs through its music, food and neighborhoods, from the Bywater to the Garden District and beyond.

Best big cities in the U.S., according to Condé Nast Traveler:

1. Chicago, IL
2. San Francisco, CA
3. Milwaukee, Wi
4. Portland, OR
5. New Orleans, LA
6. Washington, D.C.
7. San Diego, CA
8. Columbus, OH
9. New York City, NY
10. Seattle, WA