Shopping in Chicago

Magnificent Mile

20s and up / Affluent / All Ages

Party Earth Review Spanning from the Chicago River at the south end to Oak Street at the north, the Magnificent Mile (“Mag Mile”) is a popular stretch of North Michigan Avenue constantly abuzz with fashionistas, foreigners, families, and finance types out shopping, strolling, or snapping photographs of some of the city’s most famous architecture ... more

400–1000 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago IL 60611

Liked By:

Clark and Belmont

20s / 30s / Alternative / Artists / DJ

Party Earth Review A crossroads between sporty Wrigleyville and flamboyant Boystown to the north and preppie Lincoln Park to the south, the Clark and Belmont intersection was for years associated with counterculture, marked by sketchy businesses, dilapidated buildings, and the teenage runaways that loitered in front of them. Gentrification ... more

Intersection of Clark Street and Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

Liked By:

Navy Pier

All Ages / Artsy / Bars / Beer / Free

Party Earth Review Self-dubbed Chicago’s “lakefront playground,” Navy Pier is one of the city’s busiest tourist destinations, entertaining nearly nine million visitors a year with a plethora of amusement park rides, theaters, boat cruises, and beer gardens. Jutting out a half mile into Lake Michigan, the Pier is busiest during the summer ... more

600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Liked By:

Randolph Street Market

20s / 30s / 40s / ATM / Anything goes

Party Earth Review Held the last weekend of the month from February to December, Randolph Street Market is a European-style bazaar with more than two hundred vendors – all hand-picked by festival organizers – hawking an array of antiques, handmade items, and vintage goods. Both an indoor and outdoor event, the market features ... more

1350 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Liked By:

Division Street

20s / Anything goes / Artists / TVs

Party Earth Review For lazy warm-weather days, Division Street in Wicker Park is an excellent place to while away the hours with a late brunch, drinks in a crowded game-day sports bars, some window shopping at the boutiques, and an early evening cocktail. Home to artists, hipsters, and unpretentious young professionals, the half-mile stretch ... more

1600–2100 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

Liked By:

The number one thing that comes to mind when you think about shopping in Chicago is unquestionably the Magnificent Mile. The stretch of Streeterville is every shoppers dream, but the city is by no means limited to this famous shopping street and there are options for all types and budgets strewn throughout the city.

For the widest variety of Chicago shopping, it begins and ends with the Mag Mile. Spanning from the Chicago River to Oak Street, the area features everything from Gap and Crate & Barrel to upscale boutiques like Bulgari and Hermès. With skyscrapers looming overhead, shoppers can also find some of the city’s best restaurants and bars once they’ve found that perfect outfit to party in.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Clark and Belmont area in Boystown caters to the counterculture where shoppers can find anything from sex shops and leather gear, to vintage duds and bohemian art.

When the weather warms up, there’s no better place to find antiques, vintage goods, and homemade crafts than at Randolph Street Market. Open April to November on the last weekend of every month, hundreds of vendors set up shop and promise thrifters an endless supply of knickknacks they probably don’t need but can’t live without.

Shopping around Chicago is easy, there are stores, boutiques, markets, shops, galleries, and more everywhere in the city. So if you’re looking for high-end, low-end, or just something in-between, the city has you covered for all your shopping needs.