Chicago Places

Near North and River North

With art galleries, the famous Magnificent Mile, the Gold Coast, and upscale dining options, River North and Near North hold some of the city's greatest attractions. Navy Pier and the Chicago Children's Museum are great family-friendly stops, and serious shoppers will have a chance to seriously exercise their credit cards on Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile.

At the beginning of the Mag Mile, check the architecture of the Tribune Tower. Then browse the shops on Michigan Avenue as well as the upscale boutiques on Oak and the many other side streets. The John Hancock Center offers one of the best sky-high views of the city. Instead of shelling out bucks at the observatory, get a drink at its Signature Lounge for about the same price; the view comes free.

The Gold Coast hugs the lakeshore north of the famous shopping district. Potter Palmer (the developer of State Street and the Palmer House Hotel) transformed the area when he built a mansion here, and his social-climbing friends followed his lead. The less-fortunate residents thought the new arrivals must have pockets lined with gold. In more modern times, a mansion of a different kind arrived: for a time Hugh Hefner shared his former Playboy Mansion at 1340 North State Street with 50 bunnies.

To the east of the Mag Mile on Grand Avenue, Navy Pier stretches ½ mi into Lake Michigan. Packed with restaurants, souvenir stalls, and folks out for a stroll, this perpetually busy wonderland is adored by kids and visitors alike. You'll find the Chicago Children's Museum, a 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre here. It is also the starting point for many lake cruises. Make sure to dedicate an evening to seeing and being seen at one of the chic local restaurants.