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,...

Updates to theWit include sculptural columns in the lobby and light fixtures that look like origami in guest rooms.

Chicago hotel guide: 7 new, updated and renovated spots for summer tourists and staycations

By Grace Wong

June 14, 2023 at 1:24 p.m.

There's no better time to enjoy Chicago than in the summer. Whether you're taking advantage...

"Walker" actress Kearran Giovanni said she and her family are looking forward to visiting Japan for the first time later this year.

Go away with … Kearran Giovanni

By Jae-Ha Kim

June 13, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

For Kearran Giovanni, travel has always played a huge part in her relationship with discovering...

A glorious example of Gothic architecture, Reims Cathedral's construction began in 1211. Around the back of the church, flying buttresses are hard at work, supporting the massive structure. (Rick Steves)

Rick Steves’ Europe: Bubbly, historic Reims: The toast of France’s Champagne country

By Rick Steves

March 12, 2024 at 12:03 p.m.

Imagine that happy day around 1700 when the monk Dom Pérignon, after much fiddling with...

Daniel Lotton works in this undated photo of Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studio in Crete provided by the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau. The art studio was declared one of the area's "Hidden Gems" in the bureau's new Visitors Guide.

Landmarks: Hidden gems are everywhere, and all it takes to find them is a sense of adventure

By Paul Eisenberg

June 10, 2023 at 5:15 a.m.

"Let's go to Misty Mountain," my friend said. I'd never been but was intrigued, and...

The United Autosports USA's Oreca 07 - Gibson driven by Philip Hanson of Britain, Filipe Albuquerque of Portugal, William Owen of the U.S. is removed from the track after a crash during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, in Le Mans, western France on June 11, 2022.

Ford to bring Mustang back to Le Mans under company rebranding

By Associated Press

March 12, 2024 at 12:16 p.m.

Ford has planned a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic...

Taking the kids: Happy Dad’s Day

By Eileen Ogintz

June 8, 2023 at 3:31 p.m.

Happy Father's Day! It might still be a week or so away, but it's not...

Bob Reynolds and John Skittone, seen May 25, 2023, in Wheeling, stand on the wings of the SR22T Cirrus airplane that they used in seeking to set a world record for the fastest visit to all 48 contiguous U.S. states.

48 states in 38 hours: Chicagoland pilots soar across US to break record

By Jake Sheridan

June 7, 2023 at 5:05 p.m.

Some people dream of seeing each of America's 48 mainland states in a lifetime. Bob...

People walk towards the Olympic stadium as they explore Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during the Open East Festival on July 27, 2013 in London.

Diamond jubilee: How to have a ball in London during the Cubs vs. Cardinals series

By Valentina Valentini

June 7, 2023 at 8:59 a.m.

Baseball might be America's favorite pastime, but the rest of the world wants in on...

Bern's famous clock tower, part of the original wall around the city, looms at the head of Marktgasse street. (Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves' Europe)

Rick Steves’ Europe: Bern, Switzerland’s classy yet fun capital

By Rick Steves

June 6, 2023 at 4:51 p.m.

The sidewalk along the Aare River is congested with wet and happy Swiss, hiking upstream...

"To Die For" rapper B.I said one of the most memorable places he has visited is Rabat in Morocco. (Nikolai Ahn)

Go away with … B.I

By Jae-Ha Kim

June 6, 2023 at 4:46 p.m.

A rapper, singer, songwriter and producer, Kim Han-bin has been known professionally as B.I since...