Things to Do on the Magnificent Mile
Morning
Stan’s Donuts and Coffee
The north side of the Mag Mile is where we’re going to start because that’s where we’ll find Stan's Donuts and Coffee at 535 N Michigan Ave (they have multiple locations in the area). Their freshly made donuts and breakfast treats will make your mouth water and their coffee is sure to put some pep in your step.
While munching on your donut and sipping your coffee, make sure to purchase your tickets for your activities later in the day. We are going to take an awesome architectural tour with Shoreline Sightseeing, browse the Art Institute of Chicago, dine at The Purple Pig, and check out the Chicago skyline views at 360 Chicago, so make sure to book reservations and buy tickets for the smoothest transition from each activity to the next.
The Shops at North Shore Bridge
Right down the road from the Stan’s location, you will stumble on The Shops at North Shore Bridge, where you can find the best Magnificent Mile shopping. With over 50 well-known and established brands, it will be easy to wander for hours. Arriving around 10 AM, when they open Monday - Saturday, will help you beat the crowds and browse through your favorite stores without any competition.
Afternoon
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
With so many dining options within the shopping center, it won’t take long for those delicious scents to make you hungry for lunch. Of course, you can always dine at the shopping center, but we want to see and experience as much as we can on the Magnificent Mile, so we are going to head to Lou Malnati's Pizzeria! At Lou’s, they serve the kind of deep-dish pizza that both locals and tourists dream about. But don’t worry, they don’t leave out those who aren’t deep-dish fans as they also have an amazing thin crust pizza and other lower carb options. You’ll find this location on the ground floor of The Wrigley Building.
Shoreline Sightseeing Tour
After lunch, it’s time to hop across the street to your Shoreline Sightseeing tour! This 60-minute tour is the perfect length to see Chicago’s brilliant architecture while learning about hidden gems and long-standing landmarks. Their Michigan Avenue dock will make it super easy to catch your reserved tour right after lunch.
The World’s Largest Starbucks
After seeing Chicago from a new perspective, a pick-me-up is a must, and there is no better place for that than the World’s Largest Starbucks. So, grab a coffee, tea, refresher, frappuccino, or anything else that might be calling your name, and then get ready to continue exploring because we’ve still got so many things to do on Michigan Avenue.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Off we go to the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest and largest museums to date, located at 111 S Michigan Ave. This is the place for inspiration and contemplation as you look at perfectly curated new and old works of art. After walking away from the art on the walls, take advantage of that inspiration and find the art that lives in many of the magnificent Mile’s stores– luxury stores to be exact.
900 Shops
With over 70 luxe shops on the Magnificent Mile, 900 Shops has art in many forms, and it’s our natural next stop. Go into stores like Gucci, MaxMara, Montblanc, Bloomingdales, and more. This will also bring us a little further north where we will be for the rest of the evening.
Evening
The Purple Pig
It’s time to take a load off and feel pampered by the wonderful food at The Purple Pig. This chic restaurant is known for its delicious pork (hence the pig in The Purple Pig) and wine. It is sure to feed your stomach, eyes, and soul– yeah, it’s that good.
360 CHICAGO
Since you need to experience as much of the Mag Mile as possible, after dinner, we are going off to watch the sunset from 94 floors up at 360 CHICAGO. This observation deck is very intentionally named as it offers a 360-degree view of Chicago from its very own floor of the John Hancock Building. It’s hard to beat a sunset over this skyline.
The Gage
Relaxed after watching a stunning sunset, we are heading to our last destination, a lively Irish pub called The Gage. This pub isn’t just known for its expansive list of beers, but its great view of Millennium Park. So, sit back and relax, because you just spent a full and exciting day in one of the most revered neighborhoods in the world– the Magnificent Mile.
Common Questions About The Mag Mile
What is the Magnificent Mile known for?
The Mag Mile is known for being one of the most famous shopping districts in the world. It is a 13-block stretch that is home to over 460 stores, including flagship department stores and luxury brands, as well as independent boutiques and specialty shops.
What is considered the Magnificent Mile in Chicago?
The Mag Mile is a 13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue, from the Chicago River to East Lake Shore Drive.
Is the Magnificent Mile safe?
The Magnificent Mile is generally considered to be a safe, well-maintained neighborhood with a number of residents, businesses.
How far is Millennium Park from the Magnificent Mile?
The two tourist locations are approximately 1 mile apart from one another. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from or about 10 minutes to drive from the Mag Mile to Millennium Park.
