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,...

The Ring Road in west Iceland, July 16, 2024. In a country with more sheep than people, a DIY wool journey — from sheep farms to yarn shops — makes perfect sense. (Sigga Ella/The New York Times)

For an unexpected way to experience Iceland, pack some knitting needles

By Lisa Abend

October 16, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

In a country with a deeply ingrained craft tradition, a climate conducive to sweaters, and...

FILE – Unpainted Boeing 737 Max aircraft are seen on Sept. 24, 2024, at the company’s facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Boeing will lay off 10% of its employees as a strike by factory workers cripples airplane production

By David Koenig

October 11, 2024 at 5:20 p.m.

Boeing is announcing layoffs. The giant aircraft maker said Friday it will lay off about...

The White Cliffs section of the Missouri River in Montana is known for its scenery and wildlife. (Jean-Erick Pasquier/Getty Images)

On a birder’s canoe trip in eastern Montana, each bend of the mighty Missouri River reveals surprises

By Seth Shteir

October 9, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Planning was key for a 47-mile trip through the spectacular White Cliffs section of the...

FILE – A Boeing 737 Max jet prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle, Sept. 30, 2020. Two U.S. senators have asked the Department of Justice to take tougher action against Boeing executives by holding them criminally accountable for safety issues that have impacted its airplanes, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Senators ask Justice Department to take tougher action against Boeing executives over safety issues

By Claire Rush

October 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

In a letter, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut urged the...

Rena Meagher of St. Charles walks with her daughter Amelia Meagher, 3, walk at Morton Arboretum on Oct. 24, 2023, in Lisle. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

The best spots in Illinois for leaf-peeping

By Adriana Pérez

October 1, 2024 at 12:39 p.m.

Experts predict leaves will peak the second week of October in northern Illinois and closer...

Boeing 737 Max aircrafts are seen behind fences as Boeing employees work the picket line while striking Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, next to the company’s facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Latest talks between Boeing and its striking machinists break off without progress, union says

By Associated Press

September 28, 2024 at 4:09 p.m.

A regional district of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said late Friday...

Safety board says pedals used to steer Boeing Max jets on runways can get stuck

By Associated Press

September 27, 2024 at 4:13 p.m.

Federal safety investigators are making urgent recommendations to Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration to...

Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones and more: Chicago’s memorable daytime TV talk show hosts

By Kori Rumore

November 22, 2024 at 10:16 p.m.

For decades, Chicago was home to daytime TV talk shows with hosts so familiar they...

Liz Coffey holds an Australian walking stick during a visit to the Insect Asylum in the Avondale neighborhood as she scouts locations for her self-care business on Sep. 12, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Reframing self-care: New Chicago business looks beyond scented candles and massages to help clients find joy

By Alison Bowen

September 27, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago-based On Leave Experiences pairs clients with excursions intended to help them broaden their horizons...

FILE – A Southwest Airlines ticket agent checks in passengers at Love Field in Dallas, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Southwest Airlines says it will introduce assigned seats and premium perks in 2026

By David Koenig

September 26, 2024 at 6:34 p.m.

Southwest Airlines executives on Thursday unveiled their vision for Southwest 2.0, an airline that for...