I am visiting Chicago for a couple of days and would like to find some real real bargains! Not total designer stuff but nice housewares and kids clothing stores...any ideas..

I've never found any super bargains in downtown Chicago....great shopping, good qulity and many high end stores, but NO bargains. You're better off going to Target or Walmart like the rest of us. Carri

Go to Filene's Basement.

Great bargains!

there's a thriving resale community all over Chicago.

The last poster had it right. Your best hope in the city is the resale shops. You can go down Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park or down Damen in Bucktown.

Otherwise, there are a couple outlet malls--one in Huntley, one in Gurnee, and I think one over the border in IN, but you will need a car to get to those.

I don't know about "real bargains" but my wife and I love the IKEA store, which is out be Woodfield Mall.

Wonderful and always changing aray of goods. Worth the trip.