Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
236
for T-shirts, pizza pans, logo sports gear, and other souvenirs that say “Chicago”; Chicago
Cubs Clubhouse S hop ( & 312/335-0807 ), for all the C ubs paraphernalia y ou can
dream of; and Gamers Paradise ( & 312/587-0077 ), with its large collection of boar d
games, card games, video games, and mor e. The mall is home to Abercrombie & Fitch
(p. 244), Abercrombie, Limited Too, Claire's Boutique, MNG by Mango, Wet Seal,
and Campus Colors, with Chicago's largest selection of collegiate w ear.
900 NORTH MICHIGAN AVE. The most upscale of the M agnificent M ile's thr ee
vertical malls, 900 N orth M ichigan ( & 312/915-3916; www.shop900.com) is often
called the “Bloomingdale's building” for its most prominent tenant. The mall avoids the
tumult of Water Tower Place by appealing to a more upscale shopper, while still generat-
ing the vitality essential to a satisfying shopping spr ee. In addition to about 70 stor es,
there are a few good restaurants and a nice salon on the lo wer level.
Chic young teens will make a beeline for the second-lev el outpost of Club Monaco
( & 312/787-8757 ), with minimalist casual-chic clothes at affor dable prices. O n the
second floor, J. Crew ( & 312/751-2739 ) sells sw eaters, slacks, hats, belts, and other
clothing featuring the scr ubbed-clean look, popular with y oung teens to adults. You'll
also want to check out the fifth floo, home to Galt Toys (p. 252), and Mini Me (p. 245),
which features great kids' clothing. Glove Me Tender ( & 312/664-4022 ) carries mitts
for little hands if Chicago's weather turns chilly.
The mall's bathrooms are large, clean, and w ell equipped with infant changing ar eas;
you'll find them on the second and fifth lev els. An added treat: Shoppers are serenaded
by live piano music on weekends from noon to 5pm on the second level. You'll also find
kid-friendly restaurants, including Frankie's Scallopine, a casual Italian restaurant; Pot-
belly Sandwich Works; and Oak Tree, a bustling place on the sixth floor that welcomes
families.
CHICAGO PLACE The mall's main claim to fame is as the home of upscale r etailer
Saks Fifth Avenue ( & 312/944-6500; p. 244). Inaugurated in 1991 at 700 N. M ichi-
gan Ave., Chicago P lace ( & 312/642-4811; www.chicago-place.com) featur es a food
court on the eighth floor that has cheap eats and a bright and air y atmosphere, with a
view that you'd usually pay dearly for at nearb y luxury hotels. You'll find the usual mall
favorites (McDonald's, Subway, Taco Bell). Grab one of the tables near the gigantic win-
dows for a great Michigan Avenue view.
THE SHOPS AT NORTH BRIDGE A solid concentration of kids ' stores on the M ag
Mile is found in this mall, at 520 N. M ichigan Ave. ( & 312/327-2300; www.theshops
atnorthbridge.com). The newest of the Michigan Avenue malls, it opened in 2000. The
third floor has several children's shops, the best of which is The Lego Store ( & 312/494-
0760 ). Look for the replicas of Chicago landmarks built out of those distinctive colored-
plastic blocks, and be prepared to stay awhile: Kids can easily spend an hour here. Other
stores of interest to kids ar e Go! The Game Store ( & 312/840-9540 ) and Oilily Kids
(p. 245).
The anchor of the mall is a four-stor y Nordstrom ( & 312/379-4300 ). The mall
includes the first Chicago location for A/X Ar mani E xchange ( & 312/467-5702 ),
Giorgio Armani's younger and more affordable line that's a big hit with teens. There's a
large food court on the fourth level with local standouts like Potbelly Sandwich Works
(p. 120) and a Chicago-style hot dog stand. Other eating options near the North Bridge
mall include Big B owl (p . 128), ESPN Z one (p . 127), California P izza K itchen
(p. 128), and a host of fast-food outlets on the four th floor.
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