Magnificent Mile
This classic Chicago shopping stretch in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood runs along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River, north up to Oak Street (see below for info specifically on Oak Street). Similar to New York’s Fifth Avenue, but with the addition of four vertical malls. You’ll find a mixture of:

• Exclusive designer shops like Armani, Burberry, Chanel, Gucci, St. John, Louis Vuitton.
• Seven major department stores: Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field’s (but it’s now Macy’s; the original Loop location is the better, more beautiful one), Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Plus Barney’s New York is on Oak Street (see below).
• Upscale shoes, handbags, and accessories from Coach, Salvatore Ferragamo, Cole-Haan, and others.
• Jewelry from Cartier, Tiffany’s, Van Cleef & Arpels.
• Impressive flagship or mega-stores: Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Nike Town, Eddie Bauer, Apple Store, Sony Gallery of Consumer Electronics, Virgin Megastore.
• The usual mall-type offerings like Gap, Ann Taylor, Guess, Talbott.
• More Chicago-specific shopping includes the Crate&Barrel flagship store at 646 N. Michigan (@Erie St) and American Girl Place at 111 E. Chicago Ave.
• Four popular vertical malls: Water Tower Place, anchored by Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field’s, with a Ritz Carlton above; The 900 Shops (more upscale, anchored by Bloomingdale’s, many boutiques, and the Four Season’s Hotel); Westfield Northbridge, and Chicago Place , anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue (and to me, the least interesting of the four). Now, while I can mall-shop at home and don’t usually want to do so on my Big City getaways … when that Chicago wind blows, a nice snug mall can be just what a girl needs!

Oak Street
At the north end (and considered part of) of the Mag Mile, Oak Street is THE destination for an ultra-luxe shopping experience a la Rodeo Drive or Worth Avenue. Look for top end designer shops like Prada, Jil Sander (the complete collection), Hermes, Loro Piana, Jimmy Choo, and many more.

Some of the more unique and interesting Oak Street shops include:

• Ultimo Carries an exquisite international collection of designer apparel for women from the likes of Michael Kors, John Galliano, Roberto Cavalli, and Manolo Blahnik. Oprah shops here.
• Elements at 102 East Oak Street. Stylish and contemporary jewelry, fashion accessories, tabletop, and home accessories — personally selected by owners Jeannine Dal Pra and Toby Glickman.
• Colletti Antique Poster Gallery at 67 E. Oak St, Lower Level.
• Chasalla at 70 E. Oak St. Owner Marc Engel opened this boutique to offer a collection of chic European designer mens’ and women’s apparel. Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, John Paul Gaultier, Versace and more.
• The Watermark at 34 E. Oak Street, 6th Floor Rear. Lovely shop with handmade stationary and cards, photo albums, picture frames, desk accessories.
• The Daisy Shop, 67 E. Oak St, 6th Floor. Women’s couture resale/consignment.

FOR MORE INFO:
1. Click here for a Mag Mile Online Shopping Map and Directory from ChicagoTraveler.com.
2. Click here to visit www.oakstreetchicago, a neighborhood site with a map and list of shops, galleries, restaurants, hotels, and services. (Note: Good site, but incomplete — there were a few shops I could not find on their list.)
3. You can find more info at www.themagnificentmile.com.
4. And here’s a link to the Mag Mile section of SeeMoreShopping.com, a comprehensive Chicago shopping site.

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