Travel

The Chicago skyline backdrops the Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Conde Nast Traveler readers name Chicago ‘Best Big City’ for 10th year in a row

By Robert Channick

October 6, 2026 at 3:25 p.m.

Conde Nast Traveler received nearly 800,000 votes for this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, which cover...

Olivia Estrada, the on board manager, carries plates of food to the dome car for guests aboard a Patrick Henry Creative Promotions private rail car as it travels from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, on May 19, 2026. Private train cars may seem like a relic of the past, but for some rail fans, nothing beats having — or renting — your own sleeper car. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)

The quiet allure of private rail

By The New York Times News Service Syndicate

October 2, 2026 at 6:15 p.m.

Private rail cars traveled 429,000 miles on Amtrak in fiscal year 2025, according to the...

Cary Sabados shops for chocolate at Hotel Chocolat in Lakeview on Feb. 12, 2026. This Lakeview location, opened last April, was the first Chicago store. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Chicago-based Hotel Chocolat going nationwide with airport concessions, grocery stores and new retail markets

By Robert Channick

September 23, 2026 at 12:37 p.m.

This fall, Hotel Chocolat will pop up at 49 airports, hit the shelves at Wegmans,...

Find the joy of the season at holiday light displays within driving distance of Chicago

By Mary Bergin

December 8, 2020 at 6:12 p.m.

If the holiday spirit seems elusive this year, find and follow the light. Christmas caroling,...

Travelers make their way through Terminal 1 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Nov. 20, 2020 in Chicago.

O’Hare, Midway plan to open COVID-19 testing sites next week as American Airlines widens access to at-home tests

By Lauren Zumbach

December 9, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.

Chicagoans heading to destinations with COVID-19 travel restrictions are getting more testing options before flying....

Passengers sit on a mostly empty United Airlines flight after departing George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Overseas adventure rebooked for 2021, but we don’t want to go. Travel Troubleshooter investigates.

By Christopher Elliott

December 10, 2020 at 11:57 a.m.

When Bruce Shickmanter's tour of Greece and Turkey is canceled during the pandemic, his tour...

WAIT FOR A SPORTING EVENTS | <a href="https://www.theactivetimes.com/extreme-weather-pro-sports-athletes"target="_blank">Pro athletes have endured a lot</a> for the sake of the game, however this global health pandemic has upended the spring and summer sporting season. Currently, Major League Baseball has not announced a ticket refund policy, and the league intends to play as many games as possible when the season begins. The NHL and NBA have both been similarly mum on refund policies as they navigate the possibility of a season with empty stands and stadiums.

Does travel insurance pay off in a COVID-19 era? Here are things to consider

By Detroit Free Press

December 10, 2020 at 11:58 a.m.

Many people could be a tad more willing now to book a flight or trip,...

An F-35 Lightning II Demo Team arrives before the Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show (Oct. 31-Nov. 1) at the Orlando Sanford International Airport on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

Pictures: Florida air shows through the years

By Contributed Content

December 8, 2020 at 12:47 p.m.

Check out images of the Air Force Thunderbirds, Navy Blue Angels and other aerobatic teams...

Ed Perkins on Travel: The new DoT rules: Should you worry?

By Ed Perkins

December 10, 2020 at 11:59 a.m.

Last week, the Department of Transportation issued two new rules for airlines. All the consumer...

How to pretend you are in Tokyo

By The New York Times

December 5, 2020 at 8:13 a.m.

A few years ago, I walked through Tokyo's neon-lit streets for the first time, wide-eyed...

Here’s what pandemic-era skiing and snowboarding will look like this winter

By Christopher Reynolds

December 4, 2020 at 2:25 p.m.

The joy of skiing and snowboarding comes in snap decisions and fleeting sensations. But to...

Here’s what pandemic-era skiing and snowboarding will look like this winter

By Los Angeles Times

December 4, 2020 at 1:14 p.m.

Here is how the pandemic is changing things as scores of winter resorts in the...

Holiday lights in Wisconsin

By Contributed Content

December 7, 2020 at 12:12 p.m.

If the holiday spirit seems elusive this year, look for outdoor holiday light shows. Millions...