| The Magnificent Mile as it is known today was in | | | | features Bloomingdale's Fashion department store, |
| fact the portion of Michigan Avenue in Chicago, | | | | and six levels of upscale retailers, including several |
| Illinois extending from the Chicago River to Oak | | | | restaurants, a full service salon and spa and a |
| Street in Near North Side community area. The | | | | state-of-the-art fitness facility. Westfield North |
| story of Michigan Avenue becoming the shopping | | | | Bridge is an elegant specialty center anchored by |
| paradise it is today is an interesting one. In 1913, | | | | the Midwest flagship Nordstrom. Popular retail |
| after much political debate, the idea of the | | | | stores and innovative restaurants are enclosed in |
| Michigan Avenue Bridge was born, connecting the | | | | a four-level concourse at 520 North Michigan |
| "old" south with the "new" north and creating a | | | | Avenue. |
| gateway to the city's new commercial district. | | | | The area has become the hub of Chicago's |
| With the opening of the double-decked Michigan | | | | shopping and nightlife and offers some of the |
| Avenue Bridge in 1929, a building boom began | | | | best experiences in the world when it comes to |
| along Michigan Avenue. Emblematic of the spirit of | | | | shopping and partying. The area has seen rapid |
| Chicago, the Wrigley Building was built with the | | | | development in recent times and also houses |
| purpose of drawing shoppers and businesses over | | | | museums and art galleries which are of great |
| the new bridge to the north side of the Chicago | | | | cultural interest to the city of Chicago. |
| River. | | | | A number of Chicago hotels can be found dotted |
| Today the Magnificent Mile offers 460 stores | | | | around the Magnificent Mile area and offers |
| within eight city blocks showcasing high-end retail | | | | comfortable accommodation. Hotels in Chicago can |
| to bargain shopping and everything in between. | | | | however be slightly more expensive than in |
| Beyond the Chicago favorites like American Girl | | | | certain areas but that is of course attributed to |
| Place, Garrett Popcorn Shops and Niketown, | | | | the demand of travelers to stay in those sections |
| choose from delectable restaurants, unique shops | | | | of the city. Today hotels in and around Magnificent |
| and several museums and galleries to round out | | | | Mile mostly cater to up market clientele who can |
| your day on the Mile. The 900 North Shops | | | | afford to stay at their plush suites. |