Magnificent Mile Highlights-Reviews
by
Zahra Ink -
Chicago Writing Services
ATTRACTIONS/LANDMARKS:
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue
The Museum of
Contemporary Art, or the MCA, as it is affectionately called by
Chicagoans, is housed in a structure that itself seems like a contemporary
work of art. The huge glass and stone building, housing over 6,000 objects
of art created after 1945, is one of the country’s largest collections of
contemporary art.
Inside the building there is a gift shop, a bookstore, a 300-seat theater,
a huge garden with views of Lake Michigan, and a restaurant featuring food
by the famous chef, Wolfgang Puck.
Lookingglass Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Avenue
Located at the Water Tower Water Works, the Lookingglass Theatre Company
hails itself as “Theater Without a Net”, striving “to redefine the limits
of theatrical experience and to make theatre exhilarating, inspirational,
and accessible to all.”
Co-founded by David Schwimmer, the Lookingglass Theatre Company believes
in early drama education and offers several community outreach programs.
Inside the building, there are two stages, as well as a lobby, dressing
rooms, concession areas and offices. The main stage seats 270 people. The
Water Works is still a functioning water-pumping station, although it has
undergone several renovations and is not the only pumping station Chicago
uses.
 Hancock
Observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave-Official Web
Site
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock building, the
Hancock Observatory
features an open-air skywalk that allows you to actually feel
the air 1,000 feet above Michigan Avenue. With views in all four
directions, you can see 80 miles into the distance. There are guided tours
available in English, Spanish and German, as well as numerous activities
on the observatory deck, such as a wall of historic photos and a high-tech
interactive tour of other Chicago attractions.
The observatory is open daily from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. For information on
tickets, call 1-888-875-VIEW.
Horse and carriage ride
The Noble Horse Company offers horse and carriage rides around the city;
you have your choice of touring Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, or a
combination of both. The carriage drivers are dressed in traditional capes
and fur hats, the horses wear old-fashioned blinders and shoes, and the
entire experience is suffused with a historical, old-world feeling.
Rates: $35 for 30 minutes, $50 for 45 minutes and $70 for a full hour.
Call 312-266-7878 or visit
www.noblehorsetheater.com .
For more attractions/landmarks, please see the directory at the end of
this article. Also, see our complete List of
Chicago Attractions. |
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SHOPPING:
Shopping is one of the main attractions on the Magnificent Mile. With over
400 shops along the eight-block stretch, there is literally something for
everyone. There are higher-end shops such as Coach and Louis Vuitton, fine
jewelers such as Cartier and Tiffany Co., and various clothing stores such
as Banana Republic and Ann Taylor.
For kids, there are
American Girl Place and The Disney Store. For shoe-lovers, there are
Nine West and Aldo. There are lingerie stores (La Perla, Victoria’s
Secret), home furnishings stores (Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel) and
specialty stores such as NikeTown and Aveda.
There are several malls that combine shopping and dining. These
include 900 North
Michigan, Water Tower
Place at 835 N. Michigan Ave, 700 North Michigan and
The Shops at North
Bridge at 520 N. Michigan Ave.
For a more extensive list of places to shop, please see the directory at
the end of this article. Also see our
Magnificent Mile
Shopping Map & Directory.
PLACES TO EAT:
 Ditka’s,
100 E. Chestnut St. -
Official Web
Site
If you are not a football player, you will need the appetite of one.
Ditka’s Restaurant serves up gigantic portions of hearty food.
With low lighting and jazzy background music, the dining room at Ditka’s
is considerably more austere than the Cigar Bar upstairs or the bar/lobby
downstairs. However, true to its name, the walls in the dining room are
completely covered with Bears memorabilia, as well as sports paraphernalia
from various other football teams.
The décor is interesting to study while you wait for your food, but once
the food does come, you will find that it has your undivided attention. As
an appetizer, try the roast beef nachos; the exuberant amounts of meat in
this dish make it a meal in itself. Have only a few bites and then wrap
the food away, for the main courses prove to be even heartier than the
appetizers.
The Fridge Burger is the only burger on the menu, but this half-pound
burger can be customized exactly as you want it. It is a solid choice for
the less adventurous diner.
If you are in the mood for steak, you will find every size and cut
imaginable on this menu. There are steaks for every appetite and budget;
our pick was the chicken fried steak with came slathered in a hamburger
gravy. If you order this steak, loosen your belt: you will be full long
before you’ve made a dent.
All entrees come with your choice of sides; try the baked potato. It
resembles a small football more than a vegetable; at almost a foot long
and several inches wide, it takes courage to tackle.
The dessert choices are all winners, but be sure to share. The chocolate
layer cake is actually one-fourth of an entire cake, and can feed at least
6 people. The (massive) portion you are forced to take home will serve as
dessert for several days.
Signature Lounge at John Hancock Building, 875 N. Michigan Ave.
The Signature Lounge is on the 96th floor of the
John Hancock Building;
it is the highest point a visitor can reach at the Hancock. The Signature
Room, one floor below, is a restaurant, while the Lounge is an intimate
bar. The Lounge welcomes you to order one drink and then relish it slowly
as you marvel at the view.
The interior of the lounge is dimly lit with sparsely decorated walls; the
tone is classy but quiet. There is swing music playing softly as people
speak in low voices. This lounge is welcoming, cozy, comfortable: unlike
many lounges, there is not a hint of din or clamor.
The wine and champagne selection is extensive, and there are finger foods
such as small sandwiches offered as well. The order is served in only five
minutes and you are then free to enjoy your food and the view.
And what a view it is. At the northern end of the Loop, facing south, the
Hancock is situated perfectly: you can gaze out for miles at the Loop and
beyond. High above the city, looking down upon it, you are struck with awe
at the city that is Chicago; the enormity of the city is difficult to
grasp even at this great height.
Ghirardelli, 830 N. Michigan Ave.
Furnished like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, Ghirardelli is the
perfect place to stop for a quick hot chocolate or a heaping scoop of ice
cream. There is table seating on one side of the restaurant and a long
soda parlor bar on the other.
Order anything on the menu; just about every item will be decadent, rich,
high in calories and sure to please. The hot chocolate comes in a mug that
is as large as a soup bowl; they even provide you with a spoon in case you
can’t lift the mug!
The woman at the front door offers you free chocolate samples from a large
wicker basket, the waiters have paper hats on their heads and grins on
their faces, and the general tone of the parlor is that chocolate is
something to celebrate. Walk into this parlor and join the fun.
For more places to eat, please see the directory at the end of this
article. Also, see our
North Michigan
Avenue Dining Map & Directory.
BARS/CLUBS:
Cigar Bar at Ditka’s, 100 E. Chestnut
The Cigar Bar is located on the second floor of Ditka’s Restaurant. Dimly
lit and crowded, the focal points of the Cigar Bar are the two large
flat-screen television sets. The televisions play football more often than
not. The décor of the bar is masculine; the dark wood and cigar smoke add
to this Men’s Club aura. The bartenders are friendly and the bar has an
intimate, cheery air.
For more bars/clubs, please see the directory at the end of this article.
Also see our Chicago Nightlife Listings.
|
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile |
 |
Preferred choice among
downtown Chicago hotels for business, leisure and convention
guests. In the heart of the Magnificent Mile, adjacent to
vibrant River North dining & entertainment, this stylish Chicago
hotel is convenient to Navy Pier, the Merchandise Mart,
McCormick Place and Chicago's Loop business and financial
district.
Find
out more. |
HOTELS:
Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place. 312-787-2200.
Perhaps one of Chicago’s most famous hotels is the
Drake Hotel. Located at the
northern end of the Magnificent Mile at 140 E. Walton Place, the Drake can
be seen from Lake Shore Drive. Opened in 1920, it has a reputation for
luxury and elegance. The hotel has 537 rooms, all with modern amenities.
The hotel offers three fine restaurants, a fitness room, a business
center, 24-hour room service and a host of other services.
For more hotels, please see the directory at the end of this article. Also
see our North
Michigan Avenue Hotels Map.
TOURS:
Chicago Architecture Foundation Tours, 224 S. Michigan Avenue.
312-922-3432.
Several tour companies offer tours of the Magnificent Mile. The Chicago
Architecture Foundation specializes in walking or river tours, and is well
known for its detailed, lively descriptions of the buildings you encounter
on the Mag. Mile. Tours are led by people who have a genuine passion for
Chicago’s architecture, and each tour is unique, animated and interactive.
For more tours, please see the directory at the end of this article. Also
see our List of Chicago Tours to Book.
DIRECTORY:
More Attractions:
Drury Lane Theater, 175 E. Chestnut St.
Atlas Galleries, 535 N. Michigan Ave.
Freedom Museum, 445 N. Michigan Ave.
Hilligoss Galleries, 520 N. Michigan Ave.
Terra
Foundation for American Art, 664 N. Michigan Ave.
Loyola University Museum of Art, 820 N. Michigan Ave.
Loews Theater, 600 N. Michigan Ave.
More Landmarks:
Wrigley Building, 410 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago Tribune Building, 435 N. Michigan Ave.
Original Water Tower, 806 N. Michigan Ave.
More Shopping:
Apparel:
Banana Republic
Benetton
Hugo Boss
H&M
Ann Taylor
The Gap
Guess
The Original Levi’s Store
Express
Saks Fifth AvenueBudget:
Filenes's Basement
Marshall's
Children:
American Girl Place
The Disney Store
Galt Toys and Galt Baby
Madison and Friends
Lego
Department Stores:
Bloomingdale's
Lord & Taylor
Macy's
Nieman Marcus
Nordstrom
Saks 5th Avenue
Fine Jewelers:
Cartier
Tiffany Co.
C.D. Peacock Jewelers
Van Cleef & Arpels
Lalique |
High-End:
Coach
Louis Vuitton
Burberry
Ralph Lauren
Gucci
Brooks Brothers
Chanel
Home Furnishings:
Pottery Barn
Crate & Barrel
Room & Board
Lingerie:
La Perla
Victoria’s Secret
Shoes:
Nine West
Aldo
Cole-Haan
Hanig’s Footwear
Johnston & Murphy
Avventura
Specialty
Stores:
Apple Computer
Borders
Nike Town
Aveda
Hammacher Schlemer & Co
Nascar the Official Store
North Face
Chicago Harley-Davidson Store
Garrett Popcorn Shops
Emporium Luggage
Sony
Virgin |
More Places to Eat:
California Pizza Kitchen
Cafe Salsa
Cheesecake Factory, 600 N. Michigan Ave.
Corner Bakery
Grand Lux Café, 600 N. Michigan Ave.
The Grill on the Alley
Mity Nice Grill
Oaktree
Potbelly Sandwich Works
T.G.I.Friday, 153 E. Erie St.
Tucci Benvech
Tuscany Cafe
Rosebud, 720 N. Rush St.
Bistro 110, 110 E. Pearson St.
More Bars/Clubs:
Signature Lounge on the 96th, 875 N. Michigan Ave.
The Redhead Piano Bar, 16 W. Ontario St.
More Hotels:
Red Roof Inn Chicago,
162 E. Ontario St.
Le Meridien Chicago, 521
N. Rush St.
Omni Chicago Hotel, 676 N.
Michigan Ave.
Sheraton Chicago, 301 E.
North Water St.
The Tremont Hotel,
100 E. Chestnut St.
Westin Michigan
Avenue, 909 N. Michigan Ave.
Radisson, 160 E. Huron
Ave.,
More Tours:
Wendella Sightseeing Boats, 312-337- 1446
Chicago Trolley, 888-533-7446
Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, The Great Chicago Fire,
312-567-8533
Magnificent Mile Web Links
Chicago Neighborhood Information
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