Shopping in Chicago has been a popular pastime dating way back to the frontier days, when hometown brands Sears and Montgomery Ward began sending their catalog items into Americans’ homes. Marshall Field’s, opened in 1852, gave the city a pioneering department store.
The Best Shopping in Chicago
Today you can buy in the Windy City pretty much what you can buy in other American cities—well, maybe there are more Bears T-shirts here! Shoppers are drawn by the name brands conveniently consolidated on the Magnificent Mile, where you can find everything from Patagonia to Hugo Boss. Housewares and clothes are the big sellers. A favorite souvenir is the delectable Frango mint chocolates on sale at Macy’s (previously Marshall Field’s). Chicago also has an emerging local fashion scene that’s worth a look. Read on to learn where to shop in Chicago.
[viator_tour destination=”673″]
Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile, which runs along North Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street, offers hundreds of designer retail stores, shops and boutiques; it’s nirvana for anyone interested in shopping in Chicago. Here you’ll find the very best in department stores: Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s. A must-do stop is the original Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s), a Chicago shopping icon that opened here in 1852 and boasts century-old clocks and a Tiffany dome. Magnificent Mile stores include a Nike store, American Girl Place, and much, much more (name a popular retail brand and it’s probably on the Mile).
Oak Street
Fashionistas with expensive tastes will want to check out Oak Street, the place for haute designs from Paris, Milan, and New York. Here you’ll find some of the best boutiques in Chicago.
Bucktown and Wicker Park
The hubs of the Chicago-designed fashion scene are Bucktown and Wicker Park. These artsy side-by-side neighborhoods offer a range of boutiques from ready-to-wear to couture, as well as home decor shops (contemporary and antique), art galleries, and artist studios.
Lincoln Park
Upscale Lincoln Park has a mix of chain stores and independent boutiques offering everything from jewelry and women’s clothing to bicycles and vintage furniture.
Maxwell Street Market
Maxwell Street Market is an open-air market on South Desplaines Street, open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Sunday of the year. This is a perfect place to take a stroll and meet some of the locals. Browse past the stalls of fresh fruit, vegetables, and candies, and shop at the tables full of items for sale. Bring cash; you never know what you might find! You can also have an authentic Mexican meal here. Try steak, chicken or pork tacos, or tamales.
Garrett’s Popcorn
Looking for a local specialty food to bring home for friends and familiy? Stop by one of the many Garrett’s Popcorn locations around town. Garrett has been making fresh gourmet popcorn since it opened in the Windy City in 1949. Oprah Winfrey once called it “the best popcorn on the planet.”
Gurnee Mills
Gurnee Mills contains a mix of discount outlets and full-price stores, located less than an hour north of Chicago. Brands include American Eagle, Express Factory Outlet, Guess Factory Store, and Macy’s. There are so many stores that you could easily spend a whole day here.
More from SmarterTravel:
- Chicago Travel Guide
- 9 Best Hotels in Chicago
- 10 Best Cheap Hotels in Chicago
- 9 Stylish Boutique Hotels in Chicago
- 10 Best Things to Do in Chicago
- 9 Must-See Chicago Attractions
- 10 Best Day Trips from Chicago
- Chicago with Kids: 9 Fun Family-Friendly Activities
- 10 Best Cheap Eats in Chicago
- 10 Best Places for Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
- 10 Best Restaurants in Chicago
- What to Wear in Chicago
- What to Pack for Chicago
—Original reporting by Fran Golden
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Related
Top Fares From
Today's Top Travel Deals
Brought to you by ShermansTravel
Ireland: 9-Night Dublin, Kilkenny, Killarney, Galway...
Brendan Vacations
vacation $3875+16-Night Hawaiian Islands Cruise Over Christmas...
Princess Cruises
cruise $1579+Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati
85OFF.com
Car Rental $19+