Chicago, Illinois City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Chicago, Illinois Travel Guide has been your connection to Chicago's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Shopping
 A compelling intensity of infamous retailers around Michigan Avenue, and neighborhoods bursting with unique shops combine to make Chicago a shopping destination.
The fabled section of North Michigan Avenue presenting Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Marshall Field's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Nike Town, Eddie Bauer, Filene’s Basement, Barneys New York, and much more, all within walking distance of each other! Then there are the department stores on Chicago's historic State Street—Marshall Field's, at the corner of State and Randolph; and Carson Pirie Scott & Company and Sears, both at the corner of State and Madison.
Shoppers adverse to paying retail, however, won't have to venture far to unearth bargains on everything from fine jewelry to business attire. The city is also home to singular stores renowned for various specialties, whether Prairie-style furniture, cowboy boots, or outsider art.
If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, it pays to wander off the beaten path. Thrift shops and small boutiques are scattered throughout the North Side—check out the intersection of Belmont and Clark. If you are looking for a more traditional mall, head out to Ford City, located on Cicero Avenue south of Midway Airport. This street includes a number of large discount chains. You can also head to the suburbs for malls such as Old Orchard. Or find a friend with a car and go to Gurnee Mills, a large outlet center in the northern suburbs.
Neighborhood shops on the North Side (including Bucktown), especially those catering to a young crowd, tend to open late -- around 11 or noon. Most stores, particularly those on North Michigan Avenue and the North Side, are open on Sunday, although this varies by type of business.
After a day of shopping around town, return to your Chicago bed and breakfast for late afternoon relaxation. Sip wine and sample cheese during your bed and breakfast happy hour, soak in a deep luxurious tub, snuggle by the fireplace, or put your feet up on the veranda. Your bed and breakfast innkeepers will know how to pamper you after a busy afternoon of city shopping.
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