🇺🇸 New York
🇺🇸 ChicagoNew York vs Chicago: Which Should You Visit?
America's two great skyscraper cities. New York is the biggest and most famous, with world-class museums, Broadway and neighbourhoods that feel like different cities. Chicago is easier to navigate, known for its architecture, lakefront and food.
Chicago is usually cheaper. Its winters are cold and windy; summer is festival season.
Choose New York if…
- It is your first trip to the United States
- Broadway and big museums are on the list
- You want to explore many neighbourhoods
Choose Chicago if…
- Architecture is a big interest
- You want a more relaxed big city
- You want good value
At a glance
| New York | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇺🇸 USA |
| Population | 8.3 million | 2,700,000 |
| Climate | Humid continental | Humid continental |
| Best time to visit | April–June, September–November | May–October |
| Budget | €€€€ Expensive | €€€ Pricey |
| Safety (our rating) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Known for | Times Square, Broadway, Statue of Liberty | Skyscrapers, Deep-dish pizza, Blues & jazz |
📅 Best months for both:May, June, September, October
Where to go in New York
The city that never sleeps: iconic skyline, world-class museums and distinct neighbourhoods.
- Central Park. Walk, cycle or row through 340 hectares in the middle of Manhattan.
- The Met and MoMA. Two of the world's great art museums.
- Statue of Liberty. Visit by official ferry, or see it for free from the Staten Island Ferry.
- Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO. Walk across for skyline views.
- The High Line. A park on an old elevated railway.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Midtown: Central for first-timers and Broadway.
- Brooklyn: Often better value, with great neighbourhoods.
🍽️ What to eat
Pizza by the slice, bagels, deli sandwiches and food from every country.
Where to go in Chicago
A Midwestern metropolis on Lake Michigan, famous for architecture, museums and food.
- Architecture boat tour. The best introduction to the city's skyscrapers, on the river.
- Millennium Park. Cloud Gate ("The Bean") and free summer concerts.
- The Art Institute. An outstanding collection, including Impressionists.
- The Lakefront Trail. Cycle or walk along the lake beaches.
- Jazz and blues clubs. Chicago has a long live-music tradition.
🛏️ Where to stay
- The Loop: Central and close to the museums.
- River North: Restaurants, bars and galleries.
🍽️ What to eat
Deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs.
Can you visit both?
Frequent flights link the two cities. The Amtrak train takes most of a day.
Journey times are approximate and vary by service. Check the operator before you book. Work out flying times with the flight calculator.
How we compare cities
The table uses the same data as our city guides: our budget and safety ratings, the climate and the months we recommend. The advice on what to see, where to stay and which city to choose is written by our editors. Prices, opening arrangements and timetables change, so check official sources for anything important. To compare any two cities of your choice side by side, use City vs City.