Gold Coast Neighborhood In Chicago

Magnificent Mile Shopping

The Magnificent Mile is a stretch of Michigan Avenue that begins at Randolph Street, just south of the river, and extends to North Avenue. This street was made for shopping: the wide sidewalks, the manicured landscaping, the architecture, and even the street directories help make this one of the premier shopping districts in the world. Several national brands, such as Crate & Barrel and H&M, have flagship stores here; and upscale designers, like Louis Vuitton and Prada, maintain smaller boutiques. Top off your shopping trip with a bite from any of the numerous restaurants along the Mag Mile or go to a show at the nearby theater district. Read on for more Magnificent Mile highlights in Chicago's most-visited retail strip.

Neiman Marcus is the department store destination for high-end fashion apparel, while Macy's (formerly Marshall Fields) and Nordstrom are more one-stop-shopping locations for all your needs. Nordstrom is located in The Shops at North Bridge, which is part of a nine-block complex including 20 restaurants and upscale hotels. Don't miss the enticingly fun Lego store on level 3! Macy's is located in the Water Tower Place, named after the famous Water Tower that was the only building in the area to survive the Great Fire of 1871. Water Tower Place houses over 100 retail stores and an extensive restaurant selection around its impressive eight-floor atrium. Filene's Basement, a bargain shopper's paradise, is across the street from Water Tower Place, so don't miss the chance to browse three floors of deeply discounted merchandise.

There are a number of flagship stores on the Mag Mile that offer more selection than found in smaller outlets and mall locations. The Gap has four apparel-filled floors: one each for women, men, children, and sportswear; and it has hosted The Oprah Winfrey Show with guest star Bono from pop band U2. No, this is not your typical neighborhood Gap! You'll find everything for the home within the walls of Crate & Barrel's five-floor housewares mega-store. And everything for young, hip apparel is at H&M. Ann Taylor, Nike, and Forever 21 also have flagship stores on Michigan Avenue, so come prepared to carry more than a few bags home.

The Magnificent Mile began as a high-end retail hub and it still retains that reputation with exclusive designer boutiques lining the streets and filling the shopping centers. For the best jewelry, pop into Cartier, Tiffany's or Van Cleef Arpel. If you'd like to shop the French designers, stop by Hermes or Luis Vuitton. Italian designers make an appearance at Bottega Venneta, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Bulgari. But don't forget about American classics like Stuart Weitzman, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren. These boutiques, mostly situated in the northern section of the Magnificent Mile, attract tourists from around the world.

Plan to be constantly surprised by what you find on the Magnificent Mile, whether it's good deals, coveted high-end fashion, or a great meal. This area contains so many shops, restaurants, and hotels it will take numerous trips to find your favorites!

Dining and Nightlife

The Gold Coast doesn't just offer the best real estate and premier shopping district in the Midwest, it also has some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. The local dining options are the standards in Chicago -- the ones that have been around for 10 or 20 years and still have waiting lists. Don't be surprised if you run into a few celebrities in the area either. The options are extraordinarily copious, so take your time and find your favorite!

You'll need a reservation for Gibson's Steakhouse (possibly a few weeks in advance), but the steaks are worth it! This is the place for celebrity sightings as well. You'll see which famous faces you've missed in frames on the wall, and you'll realize you're in good company. Excellent cocktails and impeccable ambiance round out an impressive dining experience. Chicago Chop House is another popular spot for steak-lovers and Joe's Stone Crab offers some of the best seafood in the area. Bandera specializes in a casual meal with Southern classics like cornbread and barbeque. The Signature Room, at the top of the John Hancock Tower, not only offers great food and cocktails, but an unrivaled view of the Chicago skyline.

Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House is definitely not what the name implies. A classy and sophisticated seafood house that has the reputation for business lunches and see-and-be-seen dinners, Hugo's is a Gold Coast fixture. During the summer, the outdoor patio keeps people lingering, but during the winter the live pianist does the trick. Bistrot Zinc infuses State Street with a traditional laid-back French café feel that serves lunch and dinner everyday and a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The bright red exterior won't let you miss it, and you shouldn't! Gaylord's India Restaurant offers a little spice in the Gold Coast dining options. Moderately priced and staffed by charming hosts, this is a great place to get great Indian food. You can order appetizers and entrees separately or you can go with the prix fix menu for preselected appetizers, entrees, breads and desserts.

Oprah's personal chef, Art Smith, co-owns Table Fifty-Two and offers some of his most prized creations at this upscale dining establishment with a Southern flare. Two dining rooms, one upstairs and one down, cannot hold all the people wanting a table. Get a reservation, and early.

The bars and lounges are just as diverse and abundant as the restaurants in the Gold Coast. PJ Clarke's is a comfy neighborhood bar with a great selection of beer on tap and much-better-than-average pub food. Come with friends and expect big portions and laid-back fun. The Drawing Room on Rush Street is an upscale foodie and cocktail place served with personal style. The chandeliers and plush couches create a parlor feel, while the small plates allow affordable and shareable eating. The live music at Underground Wonder Bar ranges from reggae to blues and the atmosphere is for those who like to participate! Sing and dance with the crowd, and be sure to go on your birthday (their celebration is unique -- and a lot of fun!). The Bella Lounge houses four different rooms: the Window Room overlooking the waiting crowd, the Library Room for VIPs and private parties, the Limo Room for luxury lounging, and downstairs for those who want to get on the dance floor. Arrive early and stay late to try all four!

Don't forget the cultural opportunities in the Gold Coast. The Alliance Francaise de Chicago connects French culture enthusiasts with everything French. Language classes, French media library and screenings of French films all show up here. The International Museum of Surgical Science is also located in the Gold Coast with medical exhibits on broken bones, plastic surgery and diabetes. The Museum of Contemporary Art offers over 6,000 pieces in all modern mediums. A Red Orchid Theater and the Esquire Theater will fill your craving for independent edgy films and plays.

Famous People

Gold Coast history has lent itself to the lives and recreation of Chicago's most famous residents. The first of whom started the neighborhood -- Potter Palmer. Palmer was an internationally recognized merchant and the owner of the Palmer House, an elegant hotel just south of the river that still exists today. It was the new construction of his "castle" that inspired other wealthy Chicago elites to move into the area. Unfortunately, the house that started it all has been demolished. But another home built around that same time is the Archbishop's residence, which you can see on walking tours of the neighborhood.

What other notable Chicagoans resided in this wealthy section of the Windy City? William Goodman, father of playwright Kevin Goodman (does the Goodman Theater ring any bells?), had a residence in the Gold Coast and William Wrigley, who gave his name to Wrigley Field and the largest gum company, built a stately mansion that still stands today. Hugh Hefner (founder of Playboy, a Chicago-based media company) transformed his Gold Coast estate into the Playboy Mansion for many years before moving out to the West Coast. More recently, Oprah's long-time boyfriend Stedman Graham bought a residence in the neighborhood, as did Joan Cusack. Neighbors often report seeing Ms. Cusack out for coffee or running errands. Try hanging out in the Gold Coast's premier boutiques and upscale restaurants for your own sightings!

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