How to Find the Best Shopping in Chicago

Chicago is an awesome city. One of the many things to do there is shopping. Chicago is home to everything from big department stores to little boutiques. You can find anything you want, even goth, punk and emo (think hard core punk meets indie rock with the black hair of goth) styles, and it is more than the Hot Topic variety stores. Shopping can be an adventure in the Windy City.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A day or two in Chicago
• CTA pass
• Money

How to find Retail Therapy in Chicago

1. Visit the Magnificent Mile. Yes it may sound clichéd, but this stretch of Michigan Avenue has a little bit of everything. It has high-end stores and more affordable places like H&M. You can find just about anything you are looking for in the various malls and stand alone stores. Tip: Start at the Tribune building and make your way north. After you reach the end, cross the street and back track. If you take the red line, remember you will be about in the middle of the drag. You will find duplicate stores along the way. The stores will have stand-alone locations as well as locations in the malls. It may seem silly to look in both locations, but sometimes you will find deals in one store that are not in the other. Give your self a little treat with a sundae at Ghirardelli, The store is right by the Water Tower.

2. Take the Blue Line to Damen. If you get off at the Damen stop, you will find yourself in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood. Here is where you will find stores with the hipster vibe. There are little coffee shops, bars, and boutiques for blocks and blocks. There are record stores and thrift stores as well as high end shops. Many of the stores are targeted for the young and thin, but don’t let that scare you. If you head past Armitage, you will find even more stores including Vive La Femme, a plus sized women’s clothing store.

3. Take the Red Line to Clark and Belmont. Clark and Belmont is a haven for the inner goth/punk/emo in all of us. It has great stores and most of all usually reasonable prices. There are more trendy clothes and accessories. There is the alternative shopping complex with everything from goth wear to more “new age” fare. There are thrift shops and record stores, and all of this is within walking distance of the El stop. If you are looking for something a little off from the mainstream, this stop is a must. Even if you are not darkly inclined, you can still find some amazing items and even better deals. The thrift stores here have some great finds. If you are going to do some serious searching, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Additional hint: If you are already in Wicker Park, you can hop back on the Blue Line and take it north to Belmont. Take the Belmont bus East to the Clark stop.