Chicago's Magnificent Mile

Address:Chicago, Illinois

Chicago's most fashionable street, the Magnificent Mile, runs along Michigan Avenue, north of the Chicago River to the Water Tower. 460 stores, including exclusive boutiques and four upscale shopping centers, line both sides of the street here, making it arguably the finest shopping street between New York and California.

Following the devastating 1871 Chicago Fire, all of the buildings along Michigan Avenue were rebuilt. Developer Arthur Rubloff foresaw this stretch of buildings' as the future premier shopping zone in the city and dubbed it the "Magnificent Mile."

Non-shoppers can still enjoy the fine dining, entertainment and luxury hotels available. and window shopping available.

And ofcourse no mention of the stret would be complete without mentioning its fabulous window shopping opportunities which are rewarding all year long. But for best effect, bundle up for the Chicago winter and prepare to enjoy one of the world's most impressive collection of Christmas display windows, starting right before Thanksgiving.

Once you're done gawking in all the windows, turn your head skyward to really appreciate some of the magnificent buildings along Michigan Avenue such as the Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower, Water Tower Place, and the Hancock Center.