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13 Best Things to do on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile

13 Best Things to do on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile


Are you trying to find issues to do on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile? Maybe you’re overwhelmed by the sheer variety of issues there are to do on the Magnificent Mile?

After all, the 13-block stretch presents greater than 50 common sights and historic landmarks together with lodges, eating places, leisure, and retailers on Miracle Mile (because it’s generally referred to as, together with the Mag Mile).

Whether you’re on the town for arts and tradition, visiting jazz golf equipment and iconic structure, partaking in regional delicacies (suppose Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and loaded sizzling canine), or paying homage to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

You can’t go to the Windy City with out visiting Chicago’s Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.

Constructed within the Twenties, the Mag Mile acquired its identify from developer Arthur Rubloff within the Forties. The Mile runs alongside North Michigan Avenue and alongside the Chicago River to the south and Oak Street to the north in Chicago.

Located on the south finish of the Mile, DuSable Bridge (previously the Michigan Avenue Bridge) is the primary double-deck double-leaf bascule (that means it’s movable, like a drawbridge, by way of the usage of counterweights) bridge ever constructed. It’s additionally the gateway for guests to the Magnificent Mile, Chicago.

Let’s get began!

TLDR – The Best of the Mag Mile, Chicago, IL

Best and Fun Things to do on the Magnificent Mile

1. Go Sky-High on the John Hancock Center

John Hancock Center Tower

Conquer your concern of heights (or simply study to reside with it) on the John Hancock Center. It is available in at a whopping 1,128 toes tall (1,499 on the tip of the antennas).

The 360 Chicago Observatory is on the 94th ground. Look out on the town from the TILT attraction the place you’ll “tilt” out for downward-facing views from 1,030 toes.

2. Water Tower

Chicago Water Tower Architecture

Built in 1869, the historic Chicago Water Tower is now dwelling to the Chicago Office of Tourism and an artwork gallery (City Gallery within the Historic Water Tower), which options native images, movie, and artwork.

The Chicago Water Tower survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and is the second oldest water tower within the U.S.

See Related: Chicago vs New York: What’s the Difference?

3. Millennium Park

Millennium Park's Cloud Gate

Part of the 319-acre Grant Park, the 24.5-acre Millennium Park presents a bit little bit of every part, together with museums, inexperienced house, artwork installations, and occasions.

Check out the well-known Cloud Gate statue (broadly often called the “Bean), free yoga and exercise lessons, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which presents free films, exhibits, and music festivals.

Explore and seek for public artwork, reflecting swimming pools, and video innovation at Crown Fountain, go flower gazing at Lurie Garden, and luxuriate in indoor cultural occasions at Harris Theater for Music and Dance throughout your N Michigan Ave journey.

See Related: Best National Parks in the USA to Visit

4. Chicago River Architecture Tour

Chicago River Cruise

Take an Architecture Cruise on the river. The tour begins at DuSable Bridge (Michigan Avenue Bridge). You’ll then head alongside the north and south branches towards the Chicago Riverwalk and Lake Michigan.

Along the way in which, you’ll view historic landmarks, skyscrapers, and gothic, fashionable, and mid-century structure such because the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, Mies Van der Rohe AMA Building, and the Willis Tower.

An onboard bar makes this a superb strategy to unwind.

See Related: Best Places to Visit in the US

5. Retail Therapy

With greater than 450 department shops, designer boutiques, and worldwide shops to discover shopaholics, are sure to fall off the wagon alongside the Mile, at Water Tower Place, and the Shops at North Bridge.

Just a couple of Magnificent Mile shops embrace Macy’s, Nordstrom, Max Mara, David Yurman, Pandora, Cartier, Bloomingdale’s, Away, and the Disney Store.

6. Chicago Sports Museum

Whether it’s the Bulls, the Bears, or the Cubs, the Chicago Sports Museum pays tribute to all of Chicago’s sports activities groups. You’ll discover the White Sox, Blackhawks, and extra inside its partitions.

Peruse sports activities memorabilia, an unlimited assortment of sports activities gear and tools, and 2016 World Series memorabilia.

Through high-tech interactive experiences, you may take ability challenges resembling studying tips on how to throw a curve ball from Steve Stone or evaluating your vertical leap to Michael Jordan and wingspan to Scottie Pippen.

You may even attempt on a duplicate of the Bears’ William “Refrigerator” Perry’s Super Bowl Ring – the biggest ever created! The museum is without doubt one of the greatest sights on a Chicago sports tour.

See Related: Most Beautiful Valleys in the US

7. Shedd Aquarium

Marine animals in the course of the Windy City?

Sure!

This enjoyable indoor aquarium presents a peek into the world of sharks, turtles, penguins, amphibians, reptiles, birds, belugas, and the Pacific octopus amongst many others. Habitats embrace the Caribbean reef, the Amazon, and the Great Lakes.

Enjoy gardens, out of doors terraces, and even jazz concert events alongside the Magnificent Mile.

See Related: Under the Sea – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

8. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

One of the biggest modern artwork museums on the earth, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is crammed with work, sculptures, illustrations, and images from among the greatest artists within the nation. Check the web site for particular occasions and gallery openings.

You can discover totally different sights in Chicago with ease by getting a Chicago Go City Explorer Pass.

See Related: Hidden Gems in Old Town Chicago, Illinois

9. House of Blues Chicago

The House of Blues Chicago options reside music (and never simply blues; anticipate quite a lot of genres), a restaurant, and a number of bars. Don’t miss Gospel Brunch Sundays to get your week, and Chicago vacation, off to a terrific begin. If you’re traveling with mom and dad, they’re sure to like this cool spot.

See Related: Is Chicago Safe? What Travelers Need To Know

10. International Museum of Surgical Science

It’s greater than 10,000 sq. toes of house devoted to surgical procedure science. Need we are saying extra?

The International Museum of Surgical Science is a kind of off-the-beaten path varieties of locations which might be excellent for followers of science and possibly a bit macabre historical past. You may spend hours at this cool museum.

Learn concerning the historical past, improvement, and advances in surgical procedure, drugs, and extra by way of work, illustrations, sculptures, vintage tools, and interactive shows.

There are displays on Nineteenth-century apothecary, dental gear, modern girls in STEM, pathology in fashionable drugs, Norman Rockwell work, and shows on the backbone, orthopedics, and HIV/AIDS.

See Related: Best Chicago Walking Tours

11. Navy Pier

Navy Pier and Skyline

Synonymous with the town of Chicago, the three,300-foot-long Navy Pier is a should whereas visiting Chicago and the Mile. Located close to Ontario St and Lake Shore Drive, you’ll discover eating, buying, public artwork, free occasions, and extra as you discover and stroll alongside the greater than 100-year-old Pier.

Dine at eating places resembling Giordano’s, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and Harry Caray’s Tavern. Enjoy the Lake Michigan waterfront and absorb sweeping views of the city skyline from 150 toes up on the Ferris Wheel.

See Related: List of US National Monuments to Visit

12. Partake in Chicago-Style Pizza, Popcorn, and Hot Dogs

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is the place to go for genuine Chicago-style pizza. Chicago-style deep dish pizza is not any fold-over and goes NYC slice. It’s an excellent thick slab of deliciousness you’ll want a plate, a knife, and fork, and loads of napkins to deal with.

Garrett Popcorn has been popping caramel, cheddar, chocolate, and different buttery flavors of corn for greater than 70 years.

Don’t go away the well-known Mile with out attempting an genuine Chicago sizzling canine.

This mega-dog has a poppy seed bun, an all-beef frank, and the works: mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickle spears, peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt. There’s a Relish Chicago Hot Dogs stand in Grant Park close to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Participate in a food tour to pattern among the metropolis’s most well-known dishes.

See Related: Do You Need a Car in Chicago? Things to Know

13. Skyscraper Gazing

Chicago Architecture and Skyline

History buffs in your Chicago touring crew will respect the combo of contemporary and historic structure and design discovered alongside the Mile.

The 438-foot-tall Wrigley (sure, the gum firm) Building is a must-visit. Constructed out of glazed terra-cotta, the construction’s tower is designed after the Giralda bell tower at Spain’s Seville Cathedral (together with French Renaissance options).

Wrigley Building

The property has a secluded park that overlooks the river and makes a terrific spot to recharge on the Magnificent Mile yr spherical. Consider this a kind of insider travel tips you’ll be glad you knew about.

The Wrigley Building is throughout from the 463-foot-tall neo-gothic Tribune Tower, a world image of the town of Chicago since its development in 1925.

Willis Tower and Skyline

 The 1,450-foot-tall Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower) is the second tallest constructing within the Western Hemisphere. It presents a Skydeck expertise the place you may step out onto a four-foot-wide plexiglass ground 1,353 toes within the air.

See Related: Unique & Unusual Things to Do in Chicago, Illinois

Where to Stay on the Magnificent Mile

With greater than 70 lodges alongside this well-known road, you’re positive to seek out one thing that fits your touring model and different vacationers in your group. Choose from finances lodges, luxurious resorts, mid-range choices, and even trip leases alongside N. Michigan Ave, State St, and different Chicago streets.

Budget Hotels

The Whitehall Hotel

Spacious visitor rooms on the Whitehall Hotel function luxurious Egyptian cotton linens, marble ground bogs, granite counter tops, and free Wi-Fi. There’s a health middle, an on-site Italian restaurant, and in-room eating providers at this pet-friendly resort.

The Whitehall Hotel is close to the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Water Tower Chicago, and 360 Chicago.

Hotel Audrey

Centrally positioned, Hotel Audrey or the Chicago Hotel Collection Magnificent Mile presents the comfort of close by buying and eating for vacationers on a Chicago journey.

There’s a restaurant, a bar, a health middle, and a enterprise middle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, workstations, and coffeemakers. You gained’t should seek for issues to do, as you’ll be within the coronary heart of all of it.

Mid-Range Hotels

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile

Situated proper on the Mile on Michigan Ave, the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile has a health middle, an on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and contemporary-style visitor rooms. Rooms at this Michigan Ave resort have flat-screen TVs, cable channels, a big work desk, and a coffeemaker.

Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North

Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North, on North Dearborn Street, presents spacious and fashionable rooms with quick access to Mag Mile sights. Guests can get pleasure from a mini fridge, a microwave, free Wi-Fi, and a free each day breakfast.

Luxury Hotels

Drake Hotel

Built-in 1920, the Drake Hotel has seen well-known company resembling Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio inside its limestone partitions. Managed by Hilton, it has 535 visitor rooms and 74 suites. There’s a restaurant, a piano lounge, assembly rooms, banquet services, and a health middle at this pet-friendly resort.

Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago

Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago, is inside strolling distance of Lake Michigan seashores and Magnificent Mile buying and eating. There’s a spa, an indoor pool, a health middle, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and a Kids’ Clubroom with video video games, arts and crafts, foosball, and films.

The Westin Chi River North

The Westin Chi River North is without doubt one of the most luxurious lodges on the Mag Mile in Chicago. It’s close to Navy Pier and the Willis Tower. Rooms have seating areas, marble bogs, and a coffeemaker. There’s a restaurant, a health middle, and a enterprise middle at this luxurious resort.

Rentals

Sonder Jewelers Row – Studio Apartment

Situated within the Chicago Loop, this fashionable and fashionable one-bed one-bathroom studio apartment in Jewelers Row is inside quick access to Millennium Park, the Theater District, and State Street buying.

There’s a kitchen, laundry services, and web entry to offer comfort to your journey alongside the Magnificent Mile.

See Related: Unique Places to Stay in Chicago, Illinois

Getting Around the Magnificent Mile

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

The CTA has a bus system, elevated trains, and subway trains to get to and from all the thrill of the Mag Mile yr spherical. Take the Red Line Train to Chicago Avenue or Grand Avenue. There are 13 buses which have drop-offs and pick-ups alongside North Michigan Avenue, so that you gained’t have to look lengthy for transportation.

Water Taxi

For an excellent distinctive mode of transport, the Chicago Water Taxi is a superb strategy to get to and from the Mag Mile and its many eating places, retailers, and actions.

FAQ

What is one of the best factor to do with youngsters on the Magnificent Mile?

For out of doors enjoyment, Millennium Park is a terrific vacation spot for teenagers to launch power. Sporty youngsters will benefit from the Chicago Sports Museum and its huge assortment of Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, and Cubs memorabilia.

What are some enjoyable issues to do on the Magnificent Mile?

Pay a go to to the Magnificent Mile’s many enjoyable websites and actions resembling Navy Pier, jazz and blues golf equipment, and artwork museums. Take a river tour or a skyscraper sightseeing cruise.

What are some issues to do on the Magnificent Mile when it’s raining?

When rainfall enters your day, it’s time to move to an indoor spot just like the Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Contemporary Art, or any one of many retail retailers and boutiques alongside the Mag Mile.

What are one of the best vacationer sights on the Magnificent Mile?

The most well-known vacationer sights close to the Mag Mile are the Willis Tower, the Pier, and Millennium Park.

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