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A potent concentration of famous retailers around Michigan Avenue and neighborhoods bursting with one-of-a-kind stores combine to make Chicago a shopper's paradise. Michigan Avenue's legendary Magnificent Mile lures thousands of avid shoppers every week. How often can you find Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys New York within walking distance of one another? In recent years State Street has regained some of its former glory as well, with discount department stores sharing prime real estate with trendier clothing boutiques and the Block 37 retail development.
Neighborhood shopping areas, like fun-but-sophisticated Lincoln Park, eclectic Lakeview, and the hipster haven of Wicker Park/Bucktown, offer countless independent stores that cater to every desire, whether Prairie tyle furniture, cowboy boots, or outsider art. And there are countless smaller shopping enclaves within these neighborhoods that have concentrated clusters of antiques stores, home-furnishings shops, high-end boutiques, and other specialty stores. Those averse to paying retail won't have to venture far to unearth bargains on everything from fine jewelry to business attire. When it comes to shopping, this is one city that has it all.
Be forewarned that a steep 9.5% sales tax is added to all purchases in the city except groceries and prescription drugs. Neighborhood shops on the North Side, especially those in Wicker Park and Bucktown, tend to open late—around 11 or noon. Most stores, particularly those on North Michigan Avenue and the North Side, are open on Sunday, although this varies by type of business (galleries, for example, are often closed on Monday); where applicable, more information is provided at the beginning of each category.
Daniel Burnham's 1904 Santa Fe Building is a fitting home for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Chock-full of architecture-related books, home accessories, and everything and anything related to Frank Lloyd Wright, its gift shop is also the place to sign up for one of the foundation's acclaimed tours, which are conducted on foot or by bus, bicycle, and boat.
Pop into Accent Chicago for locally inspired gifts that range from prints of vintage Chicago Transit Authority posters to mugs adorned with the city's iconic skyline. In addition to the Water Tower Building store, this mini-chain also has a branch in the Loop (150 N. Michigan Avenue).
Calling itself an "urban general store," this welcoming Lincoln Square go-to stocks a wide selection of greeting cards, cute kids' clothes, toys, and fun gift items. A second location in Andersonville ( 5307 North Clark Street) opened in 2019.
Museum reproductions in the form of jewelry, posters, and Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired decorative accessories, as well as books and toys, fill the Art Institute's gift shop. If you're keen on one of the museum's current big exhibits, chances are you'll find some nifty souvenirs to take away.
With hundreds of small businesses in their roster, including many from around the Midwest, Neighborly goes beyond your average boutique. You'll find products whose purchase supports nonprofit organizations, environmentally conscious and zero-waste home goods, as well as budget-friendly gifts, stickers, and Chicagoania. Originally located in Lincoln Square, there's now a Wicker Park storefront plus space at the Community Marketplace along the Riverwalk in the Loop.
Order a customized T-shirt with iron-on letters or throwback '70s decals. Your creation will be served to you on the spot, wrapped in paper like a sandwich, and packed with a bag of chips for good measure.
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