Chicago Shopping
Chicago offers all the Big City shopping a Lipstick Getaways traveler could desire!
Michigan Avenue’s legendary Magnificent Mile; virtually all the nation’s major departments stores; top designer shops; sophisticated independent boutiques; art galleries; antiques; and several neighborhood shopping areas each with their own unique flavor.
Plus, it’s all easy to get to via walking, public transportation, and cab.
SUPER-QUICK OVERVIEW OF FOUR CHICAGO SHOPPING AREAS
Scan the list below to see which area has the kind of shopping you like. Then click on the links if you want to read a little more.
MAGNIFICENT MILE and OAK STREET
Shopping vibe: Busy, active mega-shop-till-you-drop. Think New York’s Fifth Avenue, plus malls.
Legendary big name designers — moderate, upscale, and ultra-luxe. Some stores are stand-alone; others are located in one of four vertical malls.
Click here to read more about Mag Mile and Oak Street shopping…
ARMITAGE AVENUE and HALSTED STREET
Shopping Vibe: Independent boutiques and trendy chains in a pleasant neighborhood setting. In Lincoln Park, northwest of the Mag Mile, this is A Lipstick Getaways Favorite.
Click here to read more about Armitage Ave and Halsted Street shopping …
RIVER NORTH
Shopping Vibe: Artsy urban district.
Antiques, home furnishings, and one of the nation’s largest concentration of art galleries in this revitalized former factory-and-warehouse area just west of the Mag Mile/Near North area. Also, the huge Merchandise Mart (open mostly to trades only) is here.
Click here to read more about River North shopping.
BUCKTOWN/WICKER PARK
Shopping Vibe: Edgy, creative, hip, fashion-forward, alternative.
You’ll find independent, locally-owned boutiques carrying unique, fashion-forward apparel by less-well-known designers; acessories, art galleries, home design, antiques, alternative music; and trendy bars, restaurants, and coffeeshops.
Location: Bucktown/Wicker Park is on the “other side” of the Chicago River, northwest of the Mag Mile; southwest of Lincoln Park. Most of the action is centered around the “Six Corners” intersection of North, Damen, and Milwaukee Avenues; more shopping is found on Division Street.
(I’ll have more Wicker Park shopping info coming soon; in the meantime, check out this following links: SeeMoreShopping.com (a good article on a favorite Chicago shopping site) and the neighborhood association website WickerParkBucktown.com.
