9 Best Places to Shop Around The Chicago Area

There are several areas within the Windy City that feature a variety of shops and boutiques for you to visit. Whether you’re looking for new apparel or home decor, Chicago’s metro area offers a great shopping experience no matter your style or budget.

The city streets bustle with both independent and big-name brands, ensuring you’ll find items that suit your particular needs. 

Chicago is home to several shopping areas that cater to a wide variety of styles and budgets.

Here are 10 shops to consider during your visit to the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park features several major brand label stores and independent, trendy shops selling a variety of goods such as shoes, jewelry, accessories, apparel, home goods, gifts, art, and food.

Shoppers will find an abundance of trendy and independent shops within Armitage Avenue in particular. Located near Lincoln Park’s Halsted Street, this area features several boutiques including fair trade and resale shops with unique art and gifts.

Armitage Avenue also has designer shoes for the upscale shopper and home decor for the design enthusiast. It’s primarily geared toward sophisticated shoppers looking for high-quality brands

As a whole, the Lincoln Park area also offers a good mixture of independent and major brand label shops. Lincoln Park is located on the water and near Wicker Park, Lake View, and Avondale.

Wicker Park

Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood is located near East Village and Pulaski Park. It has a laid-back, hipster vibe that reflects onto its shopping experience.

This artsy area is also great for the fashion-inclined, as it includes a wide range of upscale boutiques and designer fashions. Shoppers will also find an assortment of home decor ranging from modern to antique design styles.

Wicker Park provides shoppers with a fun atmosphere to shop for a variety of goods including eclectic jewelry, taxidermy, vintage designer fashion, and funky, original art.

Magnificent Mile

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is a retail shopper’s ideal location in the city. Also known as the Mag Mile, this area lies between the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Oak Street.

The Magnificent Mile features a variety of shopping malls, luxurious boutiques with major label brands, and common department stores.

Many of the Magnificent Mile’s shops are found in the area’s high-rise miles. Shoppers will find several retailers selling clothing, shoes, jewelry, and more.

Gold Coast

Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood features several high-end shops and designer couture. Just a few blocks from the Magnificent Mile, the Gold Coast is a scenic area for shoppers with a flair for fashion.

Designer showrooms in the area include those of Christian Dior, Versace, Prada, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few.

Gold Coast’s Oak Street shopping corridor adds to the variety of designer labels and upscale boutiques.

It offers an abundance of international brands, including French and Italian labels. While the Magnificent Mile offers a wide selection of goods from various brands and prices in a busy location, Oak Street features designer labels and a calmer shopping experience overall.

Shoppers can find a great selection of high-end clothing and jewelry throughout the Gold Coast’s varied shops and boutiques.

State Street

State Street offers a shopping experience akin to what you can find on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue.

It’s considered a one-stop location for many city shoppers, as it features contemporary malls, mega retailers, department stores, affordable shops, and specialty stores.

State Street’s Block 37 features trendy shops and eateries for shoppers to enjoy. Notable shops found on State Street include Saks Off Fifth, Forever 21, Anthropologie, Target, and Urban Outfitters.

Find State Street near Millennium Park and the District. Though holiday shoppers fill the area during the winter months, State Street is relatively calm throughout the rest of the year.

Lake View

Chicago’s >mark class=”unrevised resolved” rel=”comment_1323795″>Lake View area is home to several smaller areas like the Southport Corridor, Boystown, and Wrigleyville.

This varied area offers shoppers a broad shopping experience overall. Southport Avenue is home to many familiar chain stores and fashionable boutiques.

Other streets such as Lincoln Avenue, Clark Street, and Belmont Avenue provide shoppers with nostalgic items and designer apparel.

Lake View is a waterfront area near Buena Park, North Center, and the Wrightwood Neighbors area.

Andersonville

Andersonville is home to several locally owned shops featuring items unique to the Chicago area.

Within the area, Clark Street provides shoppers with a sole destination for everything they need. Andersonville shoppers can purchase fine art, gourmet food, locally made clothing, and unique antiques.

Natural history buffs and taxidermy enthusiasts will also find plenty to do in the area. Chicago’s Andersonville is sandwiched between West Edgewater and Edgewater.

Southport Avenue

Southport Avenue lies west of Lakeview and features a good mixture of upscale clothing boutiques, cafes, and dining options for hungry shoppers.

The area is laid-back compared to Gold Coast and Wicker Park, and the serene, tree-lined streets offer a nice location for passersby to take a stroll between shopping trips.

West Division Street

Chicago’s West Division Street features a variety of shops and restaurants. Most stores feature home goods and eclectic clothing. For families with young children, West Division Street is also home to the trendy and eco-friendly kids’ store, Grow.

West Division Street is just north of the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Image via Flickr by mfvcimages

No matter what you’re shopping for, the Chicago metropolitan area features a wide variety of shops and boutiques to suit your needs.

From trendy, upscale stores to popular chains and locally-owned businesses, Chicago is a shopper’s paradise for both locals and tourists alike.

Visit the greater Chicago area for a stroll through these shopping streets and areas or to find your next souvenir.

To make sure you get the most out of your shopping experience in Chicago, have our podiatrist make sure your feet, legs, and muscles are healthy enough to take you anywhere you need to go.

We specialize in podiatry and sports medicine, and we also offer diabetic care, pediatric care, nail care, and holistic and nutritional services. Contact our office today to make an appointment!