Destination: Chicago
Overview Text Size A A A
You’ll find the usual array of luxe labels—Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Cartier, Bulgari, Hermès and the like—along the Magnificent Mile (www.themagnificentmile.com), the famous eight-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue in the area known as the Gold Coast. (Many are concentrated at the 900 Shops at 900 North Michigan Avenue, which also houses notable newcomers Preggers and Galt Baby.) For distinctive local shops, explore the nearby side streets: East Oak (Ultimo), East Walton (Sabbia, Samantha Chicago) and North Rush (Ikram). Ideal for a shopping lunch break is RL, on East Chicago next to Ralph Lauren.
Fashionistas may want to venture to Bucktown & Wicker Park, an up-and-coming destination with a handful of great boutiques, including Helen Yi and P45. Much like New York’s Meatpacking District was when it was just starting to gentrify, the area is still a little rough around the edges. (Overheard: Perky shopper to man walking past with mastiff: “Is your dog friendly?” Man: “Not particularly.”) The best shops are concentrated on North Damen Avenue between North Milwaukee and Armitage; most are open from 11 a.m. until 6 or 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday. Refuel with some sweets at Hot Chocolate or take an early dinner post-shopping at Le Bouchon.
Search By Keyword
Popular Destinations
Caribbean: British Virgin Islands: British Virgin Islands
Unspoiled beaches and pampering resorts make the BVIs a top...
South/Central America: Mexico: Riviera Maya
The best of the Riviera Maya, a gorgeous coastline that's...
Indagare News Flash
- Win A Trip To the Beach: Enter our sweepstakes to win a trip to Barbados: The Ultimate Resort Destination. Brush up on the latest news with our destination report and learn chic restaurants and local secrets from beauty guru and island insider Jemma Kid.
- Editor’s Picks: Enter our contest to win a couple’s trip to the Mayflower Inn & Spa. We consult the experts on the best ways to navigate Art Basel Miami Beach. Read top tips on Kenya from African designer Anna Trzebinksi. Consult our new insider reports on Phuket and Anguilla. Best bet for skiers: rent a new five-bedroom chalet in Verbier. Join an art lover’s trip to TEFAF in Maastricht with private dinners, visits to collectors and hotel rooms already booked.
- Member Advice: FAQs and major trends to help you navigate the new travel landscape.
- Coming soon: Insider reports on Bangkok and Cabo.
- What’s your travel IQ? Take the quiz USA Today called “a killer” and establish your Indagare quotient.
- Postcards: Family trip to South Africa, a philanthropic trip to Jamaica and a special discovery in Sicily. Submit a postcard.
- Indagare Insiders: Top picks in Delhi from Fiona Caulfield; Marie Brandolini on Venice; the design duo behind Kirna Zabete on shopping the world. Club 55’s Patrice de Colmont on St. Tropez, Eva Lorenzotti on Cairo and Loulou de la Falaise on Paris.
- Reviews: In-depth guides to Buenos Aires, Delhi and Deer Valley.
- Indagare Plus: Remember that hotels marked by an Indagare Plus symbol offer preferential rates and benefits to members.
- Sample Indagare: By signing up for bi-weekly email blasts on new hot spots and insider tips. Join our mailing list.
- News: Indagare named Best Travel Website by Vanity Fair. Read an interview with our founder on Vivre.
- New feature: Members share your profiles, comments, favorite articles and IQs. Just click on the Profile tab on the upper right of your screen and look for the Edit My Profile blue tab.
- Indagare means to discover, explore, seek, scout in Latin.