Magnificent Mile/Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Many designer shops line the Magnificent Mile. Starting at the most north is Chanel in the Drake Hotel. Also on this block is Louis Vuitton and St. John.

Bloomingdale's, Max Mara, Tiffany & Co make an appearance on the block. The Water Tower place has several boutiques and is anchored by Marshall Fields and Lord and Taylor. Inside there is a Lacoste, Sharper Image and other stores as well as a food court. H&M are also on this block for affordable European style clothing

Down the block is Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Disney store makes an appearance on this block as well as Banana Republic. Burberry, Cartier, Nike Town and Cole Haan are close by. Then there is an Eddie Baurer and Virgin Records. Kenneth Cole and the Gap begin to approach the river and the end of the mile is completed by Nordstrom and other shops inside the Michigan Bridge shopping center.

What to pay: You better have deep pockets

Chicago's Michigan Ave, or otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile is home to many designer stores and shopping centers, like the Water Tower.
Also a treat for all you window shoppers :-)
Whether you want to spend all your money, or no money at all...Michicagn Ave is the place to go!!

What to pay: Most of the designer stores like Kenneth Cole and Pucci can be very expensive, but you can always find a bargain at the H&M across the street from the Water Tower.

Topped by Le Meridien Hotel and anchored by Nordstroms, this is THE PLACE to spend a lot! Or to enjoy looking at OTHER PEOPLE spend a lot!
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The picture is of the entrance atrium.
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The website is a listing of all the shopping available along "The Magnificent Mile"

Water Tower Place is a vertical shopping mall that takes it's name from the adjacent Water Tower -- yes the one that survived the Chicago Fire!
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The picture shows the fountain inbetween the escalator that takes you up to the shops & restaurants.
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The "anchor" stores are Marshall Field's & Lord & Taylor. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is perched on the upper floors.

900 North Michigan is a collection of over 70 stores and restaurants and has plenty to offer for all tastes. Stores include:

Bloomingdale's, Banana Republic, Coach, Gucci, J. Crew, Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa, Stuart Weitzman, Sunglass Hut, Benetton, Waldenbooks, Teuscher Chocolates, and more.

The Four Seasons Hotel is located here. There is an attached parking garage.

The number one shopping destination of Chicago is the North Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile. North Michigan Avenue is located between the Loop and Lake Michigan. It leads from the Chicago River to Oak Street Beach and is a shopping street that rivals the most prestigious in the World. Looking up from the stores, the architecture of North Michigan Avenue impresses with high-rise buildings in a mix of gothic architecture, art deco and modern designs. Some of the well-known stores on the Magnificent Mile include Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, Niketown and Timberland.

Crate & Barrel's flagship store, located on North Michigan Avenue, is an exquisitely designed building. As seen in the photograph, it looks stunning at night with the lights on.
Crate and Barrel is known for its kitchenware, giftware, tabletop accessories, and home furnishings.The Crate and Barrel Francise has been in operation for more than thirty years.
Gordon and Carol Segal started their Chicago store with little or no experience. But, they discovered that if they bought directly from factories rather than importers, they could make a good living. So, they went to Europe and purchased well-designed tabletop and home furnishings from European craftsmen, and sold it directly to consumers. The first store was a renovated former elevator factory in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. They displayed the merchandise on packing crates and barrels that the items had arrived in, and, thus, the name Crate and Barrel!
In 1965, Crate & Barrel also entered into the catalog business, which has become about a $25-million venture for the company.
Segals gained inspiration for new products and for designs as well from Europe.
The thing that I admire about this store is the clean, contemporary flair they display. The store uses color, music, design, and the lack of "clutter" to make the merchandise more appealing.
Their success comes from offering quality merchandise of a clean, modern design without spending a fortune. Many other stores try to copy them, but without success.

What to buy: If you are in the market for glassware, kitchenware, tabletop products, designer fabrics, or clean-lined New England style furniture, then the "flag-ship" Crate and Barrel is the place to go. Even if you don't need anything, it's such a joy just to visit this store to browse the four floors of excellent merchandise.

What to pay: Depending on your choices you can pay anything from $1.00 to a couple of thousand dollars (for furniture).

I have never seen such a beautiful mall. It actually has little water fountains gracing the edges of the escalators. It has all the staple retail stores. It's really the spacious design and breeziness that makes spending time and money there so darn enjoyable.

What to buy: There aren't any unique stores, but the ambiance is worth the trip - even if you don't want to pick something up at the Gap.

What to pay: Typical retail prices.