14. Chicago
It’s hard to think of another American city that so gracefully combines trailblazing architecture (the Sears Tower, the spectacular Renzo Piano–designed addition to the Art Institute of Chicago) with tranquil green space (sandy beaches, the glorious Millennium Park). Factor in cuisine that ranges from cutting-edge to casual, gritty blues joints and comedy landmarks, and shimmering Lake Michigan, and, sure enough, Chicago has made it into the upper rankings of World’s Best Cities yet again.1