Chicago · 17 shopping districts
Seventeen districts, one lakefront.
From the flagships on Michigan Avenue to the western-wear shops on 26th Street, every Chicago shopping district we cover, with what to buy, when to go and how to get there.
Editor's pick
Mag Mile
North Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street: brand flagships, luxury houses and three vertical malls in one walk.
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State Street
The Loop's historic retail corridor from Lake Street to Jackson, anchored by Macy's in the old Marshall Field's building.
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Oak Street
One short Gold Coast block of brownstones off Michigan Avenue with the city's densest run of luxury houses and fine jewelers.
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River North
The city's long-running gallery district around Superior, Huron and Wells streets, with design showrooms close by.
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West Loop
Former meatpacking blocks around Fulton Market and Randolph Street, now brand flagships and furniture showrooms between restaurant rows.
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Wicker Park
The six-corner crossing of Milwaukee, North and Damen and a long diagonal of record stores, bookshops and independent fashion.
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Lincoln Park
Tree-lined Armitage Avenue and Halsted Street, mixing brand shops, longtime local boutiques and wine bars.
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Old Orchard
An open-air center in Skokie, opened in 1956, with more than 150 retailers anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's plus Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Tory Burch.
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Pilsen
A Mexican-American neighborhood whose main street, 18th Street, mixes bakeries, vintage, bookshops and small Latinx-owned stores between murals.
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Andersonville
A Swedish-rooted neighborhood whose Clark Street is lined with independent boutiques, bookstores, bakeries and bars.
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Southport
A residential stretch of Southport Avenue in Lakeview mixing lifestyle brands with long-running independent boutiques.
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Chinatown
Wentworth Avenue south of Cermak and the Chinatown Square plaza: egg tarts, bubble tea, herbal and dried-goods shops, a short walk from the Red Line.
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Oak Brook
An open-air center in west suburban Oak Brook, about 30 minutes from downtown, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy's.
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Little Village
One of Chicago's busiest Mexican-American retail streets: western wear, quinceañera and bridal shops, candy stores and panaderías on 26th Street.
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Lincoln Square
A German-heritage stretch of Lincoln Avenue with an 1870s apothecary, a European sausage shop, a bookstore café and independent toy and kitchen shops.
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Hyde Park
The University of Chicago's neighborhood, with a 53rd Street retail strip around Harper Court and a 57th Street run of bookstores.
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Woodfield
A two-level enclosed mall in Schaumburg, about 40 minutes west of the city, with nearly 280 stores and restaurants anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's, JCPenney and Primark.
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Where they are
Eleven in the middle, six worth the trip.
Tap a pin to see what's there.
Plan a walking route across districts, then send it to Google Maps.
Plan a visit
Guides that cross the city.
The Andersonville Indie Shopping Walk
One slow afternoon up N Clark Street from Foster to Bryn Mawr: the Swedish American Museum, glögg at a 1934 tavern, Chicago-made jeans and T-shirts, a feminist bookstore, a market of 200-plus local makers, records, toys and cardamom buns.
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Chinatown Bakeries, Tea and Gifts
A food-first walk down Wentworth Avenue and through Chinatown Square: the neighborhood's oldest bakery, a moon cake and egg tart crawl, bubble tea, herbal teas and dried goods, blind boxes, dim sum, and how to get your parking validated.
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The Magnificent Mile and Oak Street Walk
One long afternoon up North Michigan Avenue from the river past the Water Tower and the vertical malls, then west along the one block of Oak Street where the luxury houses sit, with lunch stops and the Nov 21 Lights Festival.
Read guide →Stay in the loop
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