Magnificent Mile - Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois Review

I'm not a big shopper, but I'm sure glad that I visited Magnificent Mile - the super shopping street in Chicago. I really went to see the old water tower that did not burn down when the city caught fire. I ended up enjoying the whole scene.

There are loads of places to buy stuff on Magnificent Mile. It is, after all, "the shopping spot" in Chicago, Illinois. Most every big name store you've seen mentioned on TV (if you're not from a city) will be right there along Michigan Avenue in Chicago. If you love to shop, then you will be in heaven.

If you're not a shopper, then you may think that you won't enjoy Magnificent Mile, but it really is fabulous even if you're a window shopper or just a people watcher. It's a husting and bustling street with a magic all of its own.

They have special holiday displays, and I'd love to see that. I went in the late summer or early fall (where is my calendar?), and they had garden dresses. Basically, designers or artists created various art patterns and made dresses along in the little gardens at Mag Mile. The dresses were really neat. I loved the aloe one the best, since I'm into herbs. I have some photos posted, since I can imagine it's hard "see" what I mean by these art garden dresses. They were, indeed, fabulous.

In addition to the gardens and the art, they also had entertainment along the street. I got to see some really great drummers. I don't know if the stores contract these musicians or if they just show up. Either way, it's neat to get some outdoor music.

I noticed a lot of people eating popcorn up and down the street. I even saw the Garrett Popcorn Store, but darn it, I didn't know it was something special that I needed to visit. Luckily, I was there on a day where Pontiac was handing out free bags with some kind of car drawing. I am waiting to see if I won the car (NOT). A nice young girl gave me a bag of the popcorn though, and I'm getting more of that stuff next time I go. If you want souvenirs, then popcorn is a good way to go.

At the far (north) end of the street is the Water Tower. That's a busy area, but it has a nice park area. There are horse buggy rides which is rather touristy but pretty neat. A lot of families with kids were taking the rides, and the kids seemed to love that.

I don't know if Magnificent Mile is really a mile. I'd say close. I walked the whole thing. It wasn't a hard walk, but I would say to wear comfortable shoes. You can get some really cool spike heels on the Mag Mile, but you'd be better off in flats walking it and taking it in.