Magnificent Mile

Chicago

Magnificent Mile - River North
Magnificent Mile
Magnificent Mile - River North showing signage and heritage architecture
Magnificent Mile - River North which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Magnificent Mile - River North featuring modern architecture, skyline and a hotel

Shopaholics need look no further this glittering street packed with boutique and luxury shops, famous department stores and cafes.

The Magnificent Mile is the most famous place to go shopping in Chicago. The mile-long strip on Michigan Avenue runs between Oak Street and Michigan Avenue Bridge in Downtown. High-rise buildings on either side of the street hold offices, restaurants, hotels and hundreds of shops. Mingle with crowds of tourists and locals at any time of the day and year, who come to browse, catch-up over a meal and people-watch. It doesn’t matter if you come prepared to spend some serious cash, or just to window-shop and take home a souvenir. You’ll find it all here: clothes, jewellery, books, furniture and food for every budget.

The strip got its nickname in the 1940s, thanks to the exclusive commercial and residential dwellings that cemented it as a retail hub after the Great Depression. You can still see two of the historic buildings that survived the Great Fire of 1871: the Pumping Station and Water Tower. The Water Tower is now an upscale mall. Water Tower Place has a huge atrium, dozens of shops and a sizeable food court.

The Chicago Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building were both built here in the 1920s and stand out from the modern skyscrapers. Look up to see the ornate carvings at the top of the towers that give them their distinct style.

Stroll the strip by foot to get a feel for what’s there. Big name luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel have boutiques alongside affordable department stores such as H&M. There are five national department stores, and they have fabulous window displays, especially during the winter holiday season. There’s something for everyone along this vibrant strip, including candy stores and toy shops for the kids.

Foodies have plenty of options, as there are dozens of fine dining restaurants along the strip that cater to lunchtime business crowds and shoppers. There are numerous fast-food and café options, too. For a treat, check out the Cape Cod Room at the famous Drake Hotel, where locals and tourists have been coming since 1933 for fresh seafood. The Drake is just one of more than 50 hotels on the Magnificent Mile strip.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Magnificent Mile

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG

4.5 out of 5
505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is €233 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€233
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,184 reviews)
"Susan is extremely kind and professional, Nick is a wonderful customer service oriented dedicated you g man and the whole staff is wonderful ! Can’t wait to come back next month !"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG
Warwick Allerton - Chicago

Warwick Allerton - Chicago

4 out of 5
701 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is €145 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€145
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,907 reviews)
"This is a beautiful, solid, classic hotel. Everything is just right - not too much and not too little. Coffee was drip, ceilings are coffered. I don’t want fancy machines that don’t work, nor thin walls and boring architecture; the Warwick is perfectly classy. And very good service."

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

Warwick Allerton - Chicago
Omni Chicago Hotel

Omni Chicago Hotel

4.5 out of 5
676 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is €214 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
€214
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,531 reviews)
"Excellent stay! Comfortable, clean, great location to walk everywhere. Suite was spacious. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Naomi at front desk went above and beyond. Priscilla in housekeeping was friendly and incredibly hard working. Mark the belllman in downstairs lobby was excellent. ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Omni Chicago Hotel
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago

The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago

4.5 out of 5
909 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is €156 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€156
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent staff, great location. Walking distance to shops, dining, etc. Room was fine,some furniture was tired. Overall, great location and value. Would stay again😊"

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile

4 out of 5
540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is €239 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€239
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 4 beach bars, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"We came in for a quick weekend visit and enjoyed the hotel as well as the area"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Park Hyatt Chicago

Park Hyatt Chicago

5 out of 5
800 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is €620 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€620
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"Loved the attention to details that made the experience exceptional."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Park Hyatt Chicago
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Magnificent Mile

Navy Pier featuring wild flowers and general coastal views as well as a couple

Streeterville

Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Streeterville. Travellers also love the fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops.

Streeterville
Downtown Chicago which includes a city

Downtown Chicago

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and gorgeous architecture, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Chicago. Top attractions like Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Chicago
Magnificent Mile - River North showing street scenes, signage and night scenes

Near North Side

4.5/5(248 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Near North Side. Top attractions like Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at Clark-Division Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

Near North Side
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River North

Known for its fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in River North. Top attractions like Merchandise Mart and Bally's Casino Chicago are major draws. Catch the metro at Merchandise Mart Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

River North
The Loop - Downtown showing a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(187 area reviews)

Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan are a few top attractions in The Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Washington Station or Lake Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

The Loop
Gold Coast which includes street scenes as well as a couple

Gold Coast

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Gold Coast. A stop by Michigan Avenue or Lake Michigan might round out your trip.

Gold Coast

Magnificent Mile

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