Published on
November 18, 2025
In 2025, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and Florida are top travel destinations, recognized in Resonance’s 2025 World’s Best Cities rankings. Chicago ranked #3, known for its expanding infrastructure, affordable living, and vibrant food scene. Los Angeles ranked #2, bolstered by major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, as well as its beaches and Hollywood glamour. Miami (#6) is a tropical haven with expanding real estate and high-speed rail. Houston (#13) has grown rapidly, becoming a hub for major companies and cutting-edge science. In 2025, protests, sparked by immigration and the No Kings movement, caused disruptions in major cities but were mostly peaceful. Travel advisories from Canada and the UK recommended caution, advising travelers to avoid protests and follow local authorities. Despite initial concerns, most protests faded, and tourism rebounded, with tourist spots in cities like Chicago and LA operating normally.
Why these cities are popular in 2025City (Resonance ranking 2025)Reasons for popularity (evidence)What makes it stand outChicago (†#3)In Resonance’s 2025 World’s Best Cities ranking, Chicago was ranked third in the U.S. A deep talent pool and affordable cost of living have attracted corporate relocations and fuelled hospitality growth. The article notes that Chicago has “#2 nightlife” and a top airport ranking and highlights major infrastructure projects like the O’Hare International Airport expansion and the CTA Red Line extension. These improvements and a booming hospitality sector (new hotels and festivals) make Chicago a crowd‑pleasers.Compact downtown with waterfront (Navy Pier), world‑class museums and a vibrant food scene; infrastructure upgrades are improving travel.Los Angeles (†#2)Los Angeles is ranked second in the 2025 ranking due to its upcoming “Decade of Sport” events (FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl 2027 and the 2028 Olympics), which have spurred major investments in LAX and public transit. The city scores highly for Instagram posts and museums, and the article notes that its “Decade of Sport” is attracting global attention despite challenges such as housing costs.Hollywood glamour, beaches and theme parks combined with major sporting events and new transit projects.Miami, Florida (†#6)Miami’s blend of tropical beauty and financial might keeps it among the top cities. Resonance notes that it ranks highly for airport quality and nature/parks. The city has seen significant investment (e.g., PMG’s Waldorf Astoria tower and Amazon leasing offices) and expects strong population growth. Projects like the Brightline Miami–Orlando rail line are expected to generate jobs and revenue.Year‑round sunshine, beaches and nightlife; robust hotel development and high‑speed rail improving access.Houston (†#13)Houston is a fast‑growing city that added nearly 200,000 residents. Resonance notes that it ranks #3 for large companies and #4 for restaurants. Chevron moved its headquarters downtown and investment is flowing into a HyVelocity hydrogen hub. The hospitality sector is expanding with numerous hotel and retail projects.Space City offers cutting‑edge science attractions, a diverse food scene and a strong economy; new hotels support tourism.
Note: Ranking numbers are from Resonance’s World’s Best Cities 2025 list; Travel + Leisure readers placed Chicago among their favourite U.S. cities.
What Happened with the Protests and Why Travelers Were Worried
Mass Deportation and the “No Kings” Protest Movement
In 2025, large demonstrations broke out in major U.S. cities in response to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the “No Kings” democracy movement. Travel blogs described the No Kings protest travel advisory 2025 as a nationwide movement with rallies in Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and dozens of other cities. The article notes that the protests focus on civil rights and government accountability and that they remain largely peaceful, although travel disruptions occurred. Authorities issued travel advisories to inform visitors, recommending heightened awareness rather than banning travel.
Travel Advisories and Foreign Government Warnings:
Canada: Canada updated its U.S. travel advice on 11 June 2025. Although the overall advisory remained at “take normal security precautions,” Canadians were told to avoid demonstrations and heed curfews. The advisory noted that protests had been occurring in Los Angeles and other cities since 6 June 2025 and that extra security forces and curfews (8 p.m.–6 a.m. in downtown LA) were in place. A TravelPulse Canada article explained that Canadians should stay away from demonstrations, follow local authority instructions, and monitor local media.United Kingdom: The UK government’s travel advice for the USA warns that protests are common and can become violent. Travelers are urged to follow local authorities, move away if there are signs of trouble, and heed curfews or emergency orders.NAACP Advisory for Florida (May 2025): The NAACP issued a travel advisory warning African Americans and other people of color that Florida has enacted anti-civil-rights measures, criminalized protests, and allowed permitless concealed carry; travelers were told to exercise extreme caution. This advisory was aimed at domestic tourists and highlighted tension between state policies and civil rights.
Survey on Travel Sentiment:
TravelPulse reported that Global Rescue’s Summer 2025 traveler survey found that 52% of respondents were not canceling U.S. trips because of domestic unrest, and 62% said the political climate did not affect their plans. However, nearly 12% of international travelers reported canceling trips due to unrest compared with 1% of U.S. travelers. The data suggest that while protests caused hesitancy among some foreign visitors, most travelers continued to visit the U.S.
Transportation Disruptions but Limited Violence:
The travel-advice article explains that political demonstrations can reduce tourism revenue by up to 40% in affected cities and that protest weekends often cause 30–60-minute airport delays due to extra security screening. Public transit routes may detour around protest zones, and ride-sharing prices rise due to high demand. Hotels near protest sites implement special protocols and occupancy drops to 60–70%.
Importantly, the article emphasizes that 95% of political demonstrations in the U.S. proceed without violence and that travelers face greater risks from traffic accidents or street crime than from protests. The U.S. State Department has not issued any travel bans connected with the protests; foreign governments have simply recommended caution. Thus the situation can be described as disruptive but not broadly dangerous.
Current State: Are the Protests Fading?
By late 2025, the protests had largely become episodic and localized. Several factors indicate that the risk for visitors has eased:
Concentration of Demonstrations: The “No Kings” movement peaked with nationwide rallies on 18 October 2025; follow-up protests continued through early November, mostly in city centers like Chicago’s Loop and Los Angeles’ Downtown/Hollywood areas. Unlike the early months of 2025, there were fewer spontaneous marches after October, and major tourist sites in Chicago (Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile) and Los Angeles (beaches, theme parks) remained open.Infrastructure Resilience: Los Angeles spreads protests across multiple locations due to its decentralized layout, which reduces disruption compared with cities where demonstrations occur in one spot. Chicago’s protests center on Federal Plaza, leaving most attractions operating normally. Hospitality and tourism organizations have developed protocols to minimize the impact.Risk Assessment: Travel guides now classify low-risk areas (rural destinations, beach resorts, national parks, suburban shopping districts), moderate-risk areas (secondary city downtowns, college neighborhoods), and higher-risk areas (major downtown cores during protest hours and streets near government buildings). This classification helps travelers avoid trouble spots.Foreign Advisories Lowered: Since June 2025, Canada’s advisory and similar warnings have shifted from highlighting curfews to recommending general vigilance. No western government currently prohibits travel to the U.S. because of protests; instead, they offer standard advice to stay away from demonstrations and monitor local media.
Overall, while sporadic protests and political tensions persist, the large-scale unrest of mid-2025 has dissipated. For most visitors, demonstrations are an inconvenience rather than a security threat. Tourists can breathe easier by planning ahead and avoiding protest zones.
Practical Tips for Travelers in These CitiesPlan Around Protest Dates and Areas: Rallies generally occur on weekends and focus on key civic spaces such as Federal Plaza (Chicago) and downtown LA. Use local news apps or travel-advice platforms to check schedules and road closures. Arrive at airports 3–4 hours early because extra security can cause delays.Stay in Safe Districts: The travel advisory notes that Chicago’s main attractions (Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Museum Campus) lie outside protest zones. Los Angeles disperses protests across multiple neighborhoods, so staying in beach communities or near theme parks reduces the likelihood of disruption. Miami’s beaches and Florida’s Gulf Coast see minimal protest impact. Houston protests have been relatively small and are confined mostly to downtown gatherings; major sights like Space Center Houston remain unaffected.Be Aware of Curfews and Carry ID: During peak protests earlier in 2025, Los Angeles imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and similar restrictions may return on short notice. Always carry identification and follow instructions from police or National Guard. The UK government warns that protests can turn violent, and travelers should move away if there are signs of trouble.Monitor Foreign Travel Advisories: Check your home country’s travel advice before departure. For example, Canada advises staying away from demonstrations and following local instructions. Register with your embassy or consulate upon arrival; this free service helps officials contact you in an emergency.Consider Alternative Destinations or Times: During major demonstration weekends, consider visiting Florida’s beaches, national parks (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon), or small towns, which operate normally and even benefit from diverted tourism.Bottom Line
Chicago’s ascension alongside Los Angeles, Miami (Florida), and Houston in the 2025 World’s Best Cities list reflects the strength and diversity of America’s urban tourism. Although 2025 saw unprecedented protests over immigration and democracy, these demonstrations have mostly been localized and non-violent. Foreign governments advise travelers to avoid protest areas, follow local authorities, and remain vigilant, but they have not banned travel to the United States. Visitors who plan ahead, allow extra time for transport, and stay in safer districts can enjoy these vibrant cities with relatively little disruption.
References
World’s Best Cities – Resonance 2025 rankings
Travel + Leisure readers’ survey
Los Angeles Decade of Sport
Miami’s growth and investments
Houston’s economic growth
