Your Guide to the Magnificent Mile & Millennium Mile: Chicago’s Largest Shopping District

The Magnificent Mile is a 13-block stretch that runs from the Chicago River on the South end all the way to Oak Street on the Near North Side. It is one of the premium shopping districts in the country, with luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton, world-class museums, iconic architecture, and some of the best restaurants in Chicago calling its North Michigan Avenue streets home.

Chicago Landmarks Along the Magnificent Mile in Chicago

When you plan your trip, commit to an afternoon of sightseeing to experience the full historical significance of the Magnificent Mile. Stroll toward the Jane M. Byrne Plaza to find the Chicago Water Tower, a historic national landmark that famously survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The castle-like architecture is enough to inspire any art lover, while the nearby Pumping Station offers visitors a second taste of Gothic architecture.

Top Magnificent Mile Restaurants

Come to North Michigan Avenue hungry to appreciate the full range of cuisines that the Magnificent Mile restaurants have to offer. NOMI delights diners with seasonal, French-inspired dishes and a rooftop bar that gives a sprawling view of the Chicago skyline. Tzuco blends classic Western culinary technique with Mexican depth of flavor for plates that surprise and satisfy, while local-loved chain Portillo’s serves up hot dogs down in the style of the Windy City.

Magnificent Mile Shops Worth a Trip

Plan your trip around one destination or spend the full afternoon perusing the aisles and displays of the many Magnificent Mile shops offering luxury goods. From Louis Vuitton to local boutiques, you can find everything you could want spread out over just a few blocks.

The Water Tower Place features over 100 stores–including American Girl Place and The Lego Store–throughout eight floors. Meanwhile, 900 North Michigan specializes in everything from home goods to clothing, with Sur la table and J. Crew as two of its standouts.

Museums Along the Magnificent Mile

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum might be just off the Mag Mile, but it is worth the few-step detour. The museum will get you a look into the design-forward households of ultra-wealthy families during America’s Gilded Age. The Chicago Sports Museum offers an interactive way to engage with your favorite sporting moments, while the International Museum of Surgical Science houses a collection of art and artifacts celebrating the history of medicine.

Introducing the Millennium Mile Development

While many are familiar with Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, trendsetters will appreciate the newly renovated Millennium Mile as the next best thing. The Millennium Mile is the southern stretch of Michigan Avenue continuing from the Chicago River southward. Mille on Michigan’s luxury apartments are perched in this newly developed area just steps away from Millennium Park. The Chicago River is your beautiful backyard, while the many world-class retail destinations of the Magnificent Mile are just a stroll away. You’re connected to the nearby city scene by public transportation and easy walking access.

Plan your trip to the Magnificent Mile or Millennium Mile in Chicago to spend the afternoon walking through the famed blocks of the Windy City. If you need a home base to appreciate all that the Magnificent Mile has to offer, experience Millie on Michigan’s luxury living at the end of the country’s most famous street.