Chicago's Magnificent Mile, or Mag Mile, is the upscale section of the city's Michigan Avenue north from the Chicago River to fashionable Oak Street, the main thoroughfare between Chicago's Loop business district and its high priced Gold Coast neighborhood. The Streeterville neighborhood is to the east while Rush Street and River North are to the west. The Mag Mile currently is Chicago's largest shopping area, occupied by retail department stores, restaurants, museums and hotels. It features some of the city's most famous and historic buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Water Tower Place, the Chicago Water Tower, the Hancock building. Have an expensive cup of coffee at the world's largest Starbucks. Tourists can choose to stay at some of the most highly rated hotels in the country, including the Drake, Allerton, Peninsula, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt and Intercontinental. Going shopping? The Mag Mile features some of the world's most fashionable retail stores, including Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Armani, Ferragamo, Burberry, Saint Laurent and Ralph Lauren. Ready for lunch or dinner? You won't find a McDonald's or Wendy's or Burger King or Taco Bell on the Mag Mile. And some outstanding restaurants have closed, including Spiaggia, Tru, Pump Room, Cape Cod Room, Signature Room at the 95th, Grand Lux and Lawry's Prime Rib. But diners won't go hungry. Among the headliners are Maple & Ash, Purple Pig, Labriola, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, RL, Gibson's, Steak 48, Pizzeria Uno and Duo, Rosebud on Rush, Beatrix, Eataly, Bandera, NoMi, Volare and Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab. Take your time and you're sure to find everything you are looking for.

The Magnificent Mile (The Mile) is as attractive in the fall, as in any other season of the year. A significant part of its beauty are the gorgeous flowerbeds and planters with flowers, flanking The Mile the whole way -- from the north of N Michigan Avenue (Oak Street Beach) to The Chicago River in the south -- all thirteen blocks of The Mile are in bright bloom now. These flowerbeds are changed every warm season (with holiday decorations for winter holidays), and it shows, that the city takes great care of the famous avenue with all the hotels, shops and restaurants, making the area look even more beautiful and cheerful. It is the fall, and the time of pumpkins, mums, ornamental kale plants -- all are on the Mag Mile. Very picturesque and enjoyable, indeed! Some colorful butterfly installations are still there now, and they also add a light-weight cheer to the mile. Can't wait to be back soon!

The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour - 6.4 km 6 hrs – we started our own tour. The first interesting building, the “Old Republic Building of 1924 in Art Deco Style” is worth seeing. The Intercontinental Hotel Chicago from 1929 also shines in Art Deco style. Unfortunately, you can't visit inside, the lobby is said to be very interesting. On the Mile there are beautiful boutiques for shopping. The tour took you through Huron Street, St. James Cathedral, 360 Chicago Tower and E Oak Street, a fine shopping address, the Hotel “The Drake” to Oak Street Beach to relax.

Impressionist paintings are among the stunning works of art in the Art Institute. Observed the entire city from the 360's 90th level. In the same region, there is excellent shopping. Even though there was a lengthy wait on a Friday night, the hamburgers we had at Au Cheval were fantastic.

This is the safest corner of town, so it's also best to stay here instead of booking a hotel in the Loop!!! The shopping may be rather expensive but you also have plenty of gastronomy and bus connections here and can even reach some sights on foot. In addition, you can also go cheaply to supermarkets, drugstores etc. in the branching off streets.

We were happy in Chicago. It is truly a beautiful city, full of beautiful surprises in its architecture, culture, attractions, restaurants, museums and a wonderful mix with its river and lakes. Also very friendly people and a very fluid public transportation system both in buses and subways. City to go and return.

Chicago's best downtown area, Michigan Avenue, is home to some of the world's most famous stores. It's fun to just stroll around and do window shopping without actually shopping. Further north on Michigan Avenue is Hancock Center, famous for its observation deck.

Wonderful to walk the mile from the John Hancock building to Millennium Park to check out “The Bean”. We checked out various stores along the way and enjoyed the holiday lights. Parking was easy as we prepaid (so you save money!) at One Millennium Mile Parking at 120 E. Walton St. Super Efficient!

Did a walking architectural tour with the Chicago Architecture Center. 90 minute tour covered development of Michigan Avenue, north of the Chicago River. Our guide, Ron Roman was knowledgable and covered all the highlights.

We walked the length of the magnificent mile. It was decorated for Christmas. There were some street musicians playing here and there. It was very pretty. There is every designer store you could think of. There’s the three story Starbucks. We did the Tilt 360 on the 94th floor of the Hancock building. The views from the observation area were amazing! We shopped at Water Tower Place. There’s so much to do and see. And the architecture and cleanliness make this city unforgettable. Truly a lovely time.