Choose Chicago - the official visitors site for Chicago



September 2008	For the leisure travel professional

Shop Talk

Shopping in Chicago is simply sensational. With world-class department stores, upscale boutiques, sassy shops, off-price options, and everything in-between, this city offers the ultimate in retail therapy.

In the eight-block Michigan Avenue stretch known as Magnificent Mile, 460 stores offer luxuries, bargains, and everything in-between. Here you’ll find Nordstrom Michigan Avenue, Niketown Chicago, and American Girl Place.

In the Gold Coast and along Oak Street - an international style center - stores like Lester Lampert and salons such as Exhale Spa attract those who want only the very best. Collectors head to the 60-plus galleries of the River North neighborhood to dig for art and antique treasures.

Even visitors who have never set foot in the city know about abundant State Street and Loop shopping. Macy’s huge flagship State Street store and Jewelers Row – the Midwest’s largest jewelry district - on Wabash Avenue are just two examples of the dazzling variety shoppers will find in this historic area.

Vanity Fair recently called Chicago’s Lincoln Park, Armitage Avenue, Wicker Park and Bucktown areas “a square mile of sassy boutiques.” Shoppers in these neighborhoods just north of downtown will find one-of-a-kind items, trendy clothing, accessories, furniture, and much more. And the Southport Corridor, another destination shopping area, explodes with independent boutiques.

In this famously walk-able city, shoppers will enjoy strolling along Mag Mile, Oak Street, where they’ll also find plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat. Or, for the ultimate Windy City experience, hop aboard the “L” for rapid transit into the Loop or to north side neighborhoods while you enjoy the sights along the way.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the choices or planning for travelers with special wants, let the experts be your guide to must-see new boutiques and hard-to-find neighborhood shops. Chicago Shop Walk also arranges entry into private studios carrying local fashion collections as well as personal meetings with designers and scouts out sample sales and discounts. Urban Shop Guide connects shoppers with great assortments, must-haves, special deals, and more – including wine-and-shopping Happy Hour tours to all-star boutiques. Both services are happy to plan customized shopping tours.

Chicago Select offers
Extreme Values
Chicago has created a toolkit full of great deals, discounts and unique offers for group travel to Chicago during January through March of 2009, 2010 and 2011! Chicago Select has been designed with you in mind. With it, you'll easily create your own packages and offer services, amenities and experiences that you won't receive anywhere else. And because it's a one-stop shop for all your needs, you'll be able to relax while the details take care of themselves. To learn more, click here.

Water: H2O – Life – The Field Museum
June 19, 2009 – September 20, 2009 – The Field Museum
Click here to see more of what's new in Chicago.

True or False:

There is a cowpath among the skyscrapers in the Loop.

True: There were no cows living in the loop when the highrise building at 100 W. Monroe was constructed in 1928. But a passageway through the
building was left open anyway because the deed required it. It was part of a strip of land that a farmer named William Jones retained for his use when he sold this land in 1840. According to newspaper accounts Jones wanted to be sure he still had a way to walk his cows to pasture.

We work closely with the downtown hotels in Chicago and have collected these hot dates for your convenience. Take a look, book a group and take advantage of these hot dates with great rates!

NEW! Getting around Chicago is a breeze when you know what to expect. Before you arrive, check out the street closures, bridge openings and other traffic related events. Now you can rest easy. You've got the inside scoop!