The most famous shopping destination in the whole of Chicago, the Magnificent Mile is a strip of Michigan Avenue – running between Oak Street and Michigan Avenue Bridge – deep in the heart of the downtown district. The avenue is lined with tall buildings, with offices, hotels and restaurants along with the hundreds of stunning shops.
This strip first became known as the Magnificent Mile back in the 1940s when it became a focal point for retailers after the dark days of the Great Depression. Nestling in the heart of Chicago, you can still spot two historic buildings that date back to the days before the Great Fire of 1871: the Pumping Station and the Water Tower. The latter is now an upmarket shopping mall with a large atrium, all kinds of shops and a food court.
It is here that you can look up and spot two of the most iconic features of the city’s skyline, the Chicago Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building, both dating back to the Roaring Twenties. From the Magnificent Mile, you can see their ornate carvings which make them such renowned and recognisable sights.
Come rain or shine, winter or summer, you’ll find locals and tourists alike flocking to the strip – whether just browse and do some window-shopping, to enjoy a meal while watching the world go by or to spend big bucks in the boutiques. There is everything you could possibly desire here, from clothes and jewellery to furniture and books, as well as food to cater to every palette and any budget.
Take a walk along the Magnificent Mile and see for yourself what it has to offer. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel have their haunts here, as well as department stores such as H&M and several others who push the boat out over Christmas with dazzling window displays. For younger visitors, there are sweet shops and toy stores to get their mouths watering.
If you find yourself looking for a bite to eat after all the time spent in the shops, you’ll find fine dining restaurants up and down the strip alongside fast-food bars and cafés. One of the highlights of the strip is the Cape Cod Room at the Drake Hotel, which has been serving locals and guests fresh seafood for 80 years – yet another small part of the city’s rich heritage.
