What is the difference between art and fashion? Nordstrom's to Prada? Impressionists to dinosaurs? Chicago has the answer. This three-day itinerary offers you the best of Chicago's vibrant shopping and dynamic cultural scene.
Day 1
The first order of business for any shopper is to discover the delights of The Magnificent Mile®, one of the world's glitziest shopping boulevards.
Visit the multi-storied shopping malls like Water Tower Place, 900 North Michigan, Chicago Place and The Shops at North Bridge. But don't neglect the trendy boutiques on fashionable Oak Street, flagship stores like Niketown, or the mecca for little girls, American Girl Place.
When it's time to think about dinner, you'll have hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Try one of the stylish restaurants along West Randolph Street, a former market district in the West Loop Gate neighborhood that has become the city's favorite new hotspot for dining and nightlife, and stop in for a nightcap at one of the city's lively nightclubs.
Day 2
A Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Trolley Company or Chicago Gray Line tour is a great way to become familiar with the city. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, whose collections focus on works dating back to 1945, then view the great masters at the Art Institute of Chicago. Of the more than 300,000 works, the Impressionist and Post-impressionist collections are considered among the best in the world.
After lunch – seafood at McCormick & Schmick's or Riva, perhaps – explore a working coalmine and a German U-boat at the Museum of Science and Industry or visit the Museum Campus home of The Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, and The Field Museum where you can see Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. Later, take in spectacular views from The Hancock Observatory or Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower).
For dinner, treat yourself to a prime aged steak at Gibson's or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Or try the exotic cuisine of French Indochina at Le Colonial Restaurant. End the evening at one of Chicago's famous jazz clubs.
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast at Lou Mitchell's, where the original Route 66 began, it's off on a Chicago Neighborhood Tour to explore city neighborhoods such as Wicker Park and Chinatown. Or head to Navy Pier where, among the many shops and restaurants lies one of Chicago's lesser-known jewels – the Smith Museum of Stained Glass.
After lunch, visit the Chicago Cultural Center with its beautiful Tiffany dome and thought-provoking art exhibits. Then visit Chicago's landmark department stores, like Macy’s on State, located on State Street, "that great street."
Try one of Chicago's famous deep-dish pizzas at Giordano's or the Original Gino's East. Sample world-class theater at the Goodman Theatre or Steppenwolf Theatre; enjoy a Broadway-style show at the Cadillac Palace Theatre or Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, or improv at The Second City or Comedy Sportz. For something unique and exciting, catch the energetic and wildly popular Blue Man Group.
If you're a music lover, end your visit with some Chicago Blues at Blue Chicago or Buddy Guy's Legends. All this and you only scraped the surface. Make a note to come back again soon!