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The Magnificent Mile
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The Magnificent Mile

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#4 of 767 things to do in Chicago
Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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About
The Magnificent Mile is one of the great avenues of the world and is at the center of all that makes Chicago an international destination. One of the top 10 hospitality, dining and retail destinations in the world, with endless shopping, international cuisine, top rated hotels, lively entertainment, majestic architecture and natural beauty at every turn, The Magnificent Mile offers visitors to Chicago a one-of-a-kind city experience. The Magnificent Mile is the 13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue that runs from the banks of the Chicago River to the south, to Oak Street to the north. The Magnificent Mile district extends a full square mile from North Michigan Avenue. The Magnificent Mile is a spectacular showcase of style, flavor, entertainment and fun. With more than 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 60 hotels and unique entertainments and attractions packed and stacked along its length, The Magnificent Mile has an indulgence for every passion and every pocket.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Near North Side
How to get there
  • Chicago • 5 min walk
  • Grand • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,048 within 3 miles
The Capital Grille
1,115
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken - Streeterville
240
462 ft$ • Bakeries • American • Fast Food
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
4,395
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Seafood
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
955
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Seafood
Volare
2,342
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
367
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Pierrot Gourmet
336
489 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • French • Cafe
Steak 48
433
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
The Lobby
380
502 ft$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
RL
1,150
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
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Attractions
561 within 6 miles
Richard H. Driehaus Museum
1,451
0.1 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Saks Fifth Avenue
32
285 ftDepartment Stores
Lookingglass Theatre Company
466
0.2 miTheaters
The Murphy
1
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings
Historic Water Tower
225
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers
Holy Name Cathedral
1,110
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
God Bless America Statue Chicago
13
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Water Tower Place
791
0.2 miShopping Malls
Fourth Presbyterian Church
229
0.3 miReligious Sites
The Arts Club of Chicago
5
0.1 miArt Galleries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
15,758 reviews
Excellent
9,881
Very good
4,377
Average
1,281
Poor
158
Terrible
61
Xamot Tomax
Fort Wayne, IN5,972 contributions
Definitely worth it
Aug 2021
Michigan Avenue is where we spend at least some of our time while visiting Chicago. This street is packed full of restaurants and shopping, many of which are higher end. Therefore, you can expect the prices for shopping and dining to be on the higher end. Although you will spot some cheaper chain restaurants, which are good for those on the go, we try to get at least one really good meal at a higher end restaurant. Remember the old adage, “You get what you pay for”. However it’s still definitely worth seeing even if you’re not doing any shopping or dining. Even taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the sights and architecture can still be rewarding in itself.
Written January 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JillClardy
Redwood City, CA833 contributions
Pleasant and Safe
Sep 2021
“Magnificent” might be a bit hyperbolic, but we really enjoyed our strolls along Michigan Avenue for each of the 5 days that we were in town. The sidewalk is very wide and clean and lined with beautiful planter boxes overflowing with colorful blooms in mid-September. Many restaurants have pleasant outdoor patios, and in the evenings a few street musicians provide entertainment. We did encounter a few panhandlers, but nothing like what we see in San Francisco. We never felt unsafe, even after dinner when we were strolling back to our hotel. We’re not shoppers so didn’t really pay attention to the stores. We did notice some closed businesses, but don’t know if that is related to the pandemic or just normal turnover. There are quite a few universities and colleges in this area, so there was a constant presence of young students, which makes it even more lively.
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Quiana S
Chicago, IL175 contributions
Love My City
Jul 2020 • Family
Michigan Avenue, coined the “Mag Mile” is always so alive with people walking, jogging, shopping and generally having a good time. My family and I did some shopping on the Mag Mile and we had a really great time. The weather was great, we caught some sights and we thoroughly enjoyed one another. If you’re a tourist or even a resident of the city, I recommend coming down here, taking in the sights, and breaking the monotony of your daily routine.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TYPSUKR
Arlington, VA758 contributions
Took a Stroll Down the Mile
Aug 2022
After finishing a river cruise, we walked the full extent of the Magnificent Mile, from south to north. This stretch of Michigan Avenue is lined with a number of well-regard shops, including flagship destinations. Of all of them, we were probably the most impressed with the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. Even if you don't plan on buying anything, it's hard to not wander around this section of the city and not come away impressed.
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia15,388 contributions
There's much more than shopping
Apr 2022
I see many travelers consider this stretch of Michigan Av only as a shopping haven.
Well, that's partly true, but not being a shopping maniac I would point out other places of interest which make this street a must see in Chicago.
The Mag mile refers mostly to the northern part of Michigan Av north from the Chicago river.
Just there are two iconic skyscrapers - Wrigley bldg and across it - the Tribune tower.
Further north is the historic Water tower and finally one of city symbols - the Hancock tower. In between are numerous high end stores, top hotel chains and restaurants, so if visiting them prepare your wallet accordingly.
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TERRAvelista
London, UK16,875 contributions
Great area you need to visit on a summer sunny day
Jul 2022
This is the equivalent to the centre of London, or Paris or Rome and yes, it is a beautiful area packed with lots of amazing buildings due to the city's care for architecture impact besides great shopping/restaurants/bars etc and places to walk near the river.

We decided to do all the above and started with a Wendella architectural tour, then walking near the river in order to reach a great restaurant, then crossing again for a bit of shopping.

One thing I found very unique, is the subterranean city of roads allowing you to cross very fast, with no zebras, just cars, many roads in a matter of seconds - I have never seen anything like this anywhere in Europe and where else I visited in N America: just strange and I can think of lots of zombie movies that could be filmed here!!!! ha ha ha

Above the ground all looks nice, although listening to the news you can hear strange things happening at just any time of day... or night.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Irina
United States10,168 contributions
Beautiful Mile
Aug 2022
Fabulous as always, The Magnificent Mile looks especially beautiful in summertime.

Each year it is artfully decorated with some fantastic flowers, that make everything around more attractive, as well. Even new, vanguard murals and public artwork installations on the buildings of The Mile reflect the flowering, colorful world around us.

This summer, the bright flowers adorn all the thirteen blocks of The Mile, that now looks like a beauty queen, surrounded by magnificent skyscrapers -- historic buildings, upscale shops, grand hotels, quality restaurants.

The beauty of the blooming Mile is hard to resist.

Just love it.
Written August 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rickardo
Sedona, AZ274 contributions
TOTALLY UNSAFE
Oct 2020 • Family
Even small Mom & Pop places have sanitizing stations upon entering.
NOTHING here at supposedly the flagship of USA Starbucs....when I asked, they pointed me fully across the first floor to a single unmarked pump bottle on the counter where we ordered.....oh btw, four floors connected by escalators, dozens of people on every floor (way over the 25-40% capacity) and not a single sign about social distancing or safety.
NOT A WAY TO SET AN EXAMPLE!
Written October 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Laurie K
West Seneca, NY617 contributions
LOOKING MORE NORMAL EVERY DAY
Sep 2020
We were in Chicago visiting my son and we took a walk down parts of the magnificent mile and I was pleasantly surprised at how the stores and their owners have taken steps to re-open and make things feel as normal as possible, yes there are places that still have boards on their windows just in case anything were to happen again, but they have the boards decorated or painted so it doesn't look so bad. It felt pretty normal to me walking the streets, there were people out milling around and doing some shopping. I'm sure they are not 100% back to normal, but people had bags and were spending money putting it back into the economy to try to get that sense of normalcy.

Most people were wearing masks and trying their best to social distance, everyone wants to feel normal like we did 6 months ago, but i think that will take some time yet.

The city workers were busy bees planting all the mums in the cities flower beds to also keep that sense of normal and what the people of Chicago are used to seeing in the fall.

We also noticed that quite a few restaurants had outdoor dining and people were taking advantage of those places for sure especially now that the weather is still nice not sure what the colder months will bring

But I did for sure feel safe and comfortable walking the mile during the day, not sure how I would feel in the evening, however not alot is open late hours so there is no reason to be out and about.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travel4Fun
Norfolk, NE82 contributions
It's where it's at
Aug 2021
So much going on in a few short blocks - yet there is public transport to wisk you to different parts of the city. Our hotel was on the miracle mile and we felt like we were close to everything. There was so much within walking distance. We even got in a bit of shopping. Would recommend this as a base of operations.
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The Magnificent Mile (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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