Best Shopping Malls, Outlet and Places in Lyons Area

"A few of the highlights of your tour include the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place Mall, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and more. You’ll be able to disembark at most landmarks, so it’s easy to use this your to further your itinerary (although traffic can be a factor, so don’t rely exclusively on this for transportation)."

"Water Tower Place is named after its neighbor, the historic Water Tower. Opened in 1975, this eight-level mall is located at the base of a 74-story skyscraper that includes condominiums, office space, and the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The mall is anchored by Macy’s and American Girl."

"The 70+ stores in this upscale shopping center are focused on the luxury lifestyle. The anchor is Bloomingdale’s and retailers include such high end boutiques as Crosell & Co., Galt Toys + Galt Baby, and kate spade new york. Shoppers at 900 North Michigan Shops can get a pre-spree workout at Equinox Fitness Club and a post-shopping fix at Baisi Thai or Allium Restaurant & Bar in the Four Seasons."

"The 900 North Michigan Shops are located in the iconic Chicago skyscraper, which was built in 1989. This monumental building is home to many offices, condominiums, and a vast shopping mall. Similarly to the Water Tower Place, the place has a vast multi-story atrium, of which the rear is occupied by Bloomingdale’s."

"This shopping center features more than 450,000 square feet of space and includes many well known, upscale stores like a massive Bloomingdale's, MaxMara, Gucci, Micheal Kors, Kate Spade New York, L'Occitane and J."

"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago is a non-profit with a mission to share the work of outsiders. The center defines an outsider in the art world as "the work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world, and who instead are motivated by their unique personal vision." Since its inception in 1991, Intuit has become a leader in the field of promoting outsider and intuitive art. The museum's permanent collection, which they began amassing in 2002, has come to include more than 1,1000 works of art."

"Intuit: The centre for intuitive and outsider art is the only non-profit organization in the United States that presents intuitive, outsider and contemporary self-taught art. The Henry Darger Collection holds a permanent spot in this gallery, which also features a permanent collection containing more than a thousand artworks. There is a study centre at the gallery: Robert A. Roth Study Center, which conducts educational programs and is open for the public."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roman Boed used under CC BY 2.0. Bloomingdale’s needs little introduction. One of three such sites dotted around the city, the store at 900 North Michigan Avenue is well-placed in downtown Chicago for those looking to pop in while sightseeing or visiting the lake front."

"Looking for brand shops for clothing, sporting goods, home supplies and more, under one roof?. Head to The Maxwell. It is smaller (around 10 stores) but complex."

"Based on Navy Pier, this adored non-profit theatre company has done as much as anyone to help keep Chicago on the cultural map over the last 30 years. In short order the theatre has earned three Laurence Olivier Awards, as well as a regional Tony in 2008. Its main aim is to introduce people to the works of William Shakespeare, through school tours, summer plays in parks and productions at its own majestic venue, adding up to 600 performances a year."

"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."

"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."

"The Beverly Arts Center is a multifaceted space that hosts regular programs on dance, film, theater and music. There is also a gallery space here that presents a rotating and diverse program of visual arts. Past exhibits have included works by local Chicago cartoonists, printmakers, photographers and painters, as well as programs focused on the LGBTQ community."

"A little walk-up stand in Little Italy with fantastic Italian ice, which we understand is not ice cream. But this is your summer power move when you need a break from the richness of creamier sweets (or just a palate cleanser between two other ice cream stops). All the flavors are good, but the go-to here is the lemon."

"Walk up and order from a menu filled with fresh Italian ice flavors with pieces of real fruit. This stand is only open from May to September each year so get it while you can."