How Many Feet in a Magnificent Mile? Two Aching Ones!
Written: May 19 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Prestigious brand name shops, fine restaurants, art galleries, impressive architecture, and great hotels
Cons: Not enough time or money to do everything I wanted!
The Bottom Line: There's just not enough money or time to do or buy everything you'd want on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. What a treat to walk along North Michigan Avenue!
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I believe I have walked every inch of the Magnificent Mile at least twice ... and what a treat it was! The Magnificent Mile is window shopping and/or credit card mayhem at its finest.
A Virtual Who's Who
Strolling along North Michigan Avenue you can find anybody who's anybody. First, all the big name department stores: Bloomingdale's, Marshall Field's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.
Don't waste your time looking for a Nordstrom's Rack (outlet) on North Michigan Avenue -- they're nowhere to be found in this area. However, there is a Marshall's and Filene's Basement for those die-hard bargain hunters. How about a 3-piece Jones of New York suit ticketed at $230 available for only $70?
The Historic Water Tower abounds with shops of all kinds, as well as an extensive food court. (You'll find Filene's directly across the street if you want to see if they have any of those suits left!)
Specialty Stores From A to Z
If you're looking for specialty stores you'll find everything from A to Z: American Girl Place, Banana Republic, Cole-Haan, Disney Store, Easy Spirit, Franklin Covey, Gap, Hermes, Ikram, Joy of Ireland, Kenneth Cole, Lalique, Madison & Friends, Niketown, Orvis, Pottery Barn, Rand McNally maps & Travel Store, Sony Gallery of Consumer Electronics, Tiffany& Com., United Colors of Benetton, Verizon Wireless, Walgreens, and Zuverink. Search as I might I couldn't find a "Q" store.
Interesting Art
However, I did find almost a dozen art galleries in the area and even a Lego gallery of sorts in the Shops of North Bridge. Located on the third floor near Nordstrom's you'll see some of the most elaborate Lego displays imaginable.
One of the favorites was a "Lego Business Man" complete with briefcase, sitting on a park bench. Everyone with a camera sat down for a picture with the Lego Man. Behind the Lego Man was a giant spider, complete with dangling spider web.
Just down the escalator were some beautiful bronze sculptures of several children. There was also a life size bronze of Robert Frost at word penning a masterpiece.
Be sure to check out the second and third floors of the North Bridge Shops for the Legos and the bronzes.
Hotels Abound
There are plenty of hotels from which to choose along the Magnificent Mile. I was fortunate enough to be staying in the Allerton Crowne Plaza, located centrally along North Michigan Avenue. This made it a convenient jaunt in almost any direction. My most frequent destination was two blocks to the Water Tower Place and the John Hancock Center. The observatory here offers magnificent views of Chicago and The Cheesecake Factory offers a scrumptious white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake. If you arrive here dying for cheesecake after 5pm, you'll find yourself in for a long wait. The place is absolutely packed at night.
The Drake Hotel (as in "guests of the Oprah show") is the the northernmost end of North Michigan Avenue, along Lake Shore Drive.
You can also choose from the Marriott, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Four Seasons, Hampton Inn, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Homewood Suites, Hotel Inter-Continental, Hyatt Regency, Le Meridien, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Swissotel, Westin, and Wyndam, just to mention a few of the more well-known.
Michigan Avenue in Bloom
If you're lucky enough to visit in the spring or summer, you'll be treated to blooming gardens scattered along this broad stretch of shopping heaven.
Downtown is Busy at Night
When Filene's ran us out at their 9pm closing time, I was amazed to see so many people walking around downtown. The place was really hopping. The restaurants were crowded and people were all over the sidewalks.
For those of you who can stay awake past 10pm, there are plenty of night spots. (I can only tell you what I read about them, because I fall asleep routinely during the 10 o'clock news.)
Although there are none directly on North Michigan Avenue there are a least a dozen in close proximity. You can listen to the blues or dance the night away and still be within a short taxi ride to your hotel in this area.
Overall Impression
The museums, galleries, restaurants, and exclusive shops make a visit to the Magnificent Mile truly a memorable one. The architecture is a blend of old and new, with Chicago's Historic Water Tower being one of the oldest after surviving the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Today it is filled with a vast array of shops to ensure you don't return home empty-handed.
Be sure you bring comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and plenty of credit cards. You'll need them all for your adventure on the Magnificent Mile!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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Epinions.com ID:
diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
Trusted by: 350 members
About Me:
~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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