Best Shopping Malls, Outlet and Places in Oak Park Area

"Water Tower Place is a 74-story skyscraper on North Michigan Avenue along the Magnificent Mile. The building is home to an eight-level shopping center located at the northern tip of the Magnificent Mile that boasts 758,000 square feet of retail space filled with over 104 stores, a myriad dining options, a theater that is part of Broadway in Chicago and the Chicago Sports Museum. The center is home to stores such as American Girl Place, Sephora, Forever 21 and its new beauty boutique."

"Featuring the largest number of stores exclusive to Chicago, Water Tower Place changed the face of Windy City shopping when it opened in 1975. Shifting attention from State Street to North Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place Mall is a unique high-energy urban shopping experience. The stunning eight-level atrium features Macy’s as its headline store, with more than a hundred other shops for your perusal."

"900 North Michigan in Chicago is a world-renowned skyscraper that stands 871 feet tall and is the eighth-tallest building in Chicago. Completed in 1989 by Urban Retail Properties, 900 North Michigan was built as an upscale sister building to Water Tower Place one block away and was the second vertical mall built on the Magnificent Mile. The skyscraper is home to an upscale shopping mall known as 900 North Michigan Shops spanning more than 450,000 square feet of space with luxury stores like Bloomingdale's, Gucci, MaxMara, Kate Spade New York, Micheal Kors, L'Occitane and J."

"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."

"Shopping at 900 North Michigan is one of the coolest things to do in downtown Chicago. Not only does it offer amazing views from its pillar-like towers, but since it’s all indoors, it’s perfect for a cold or rainy day. Hundreds of retailers call it home."

"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."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daniel X. O'Neil used under CC BY 2.0. Another outdoor shopping centre on our list is located in Bronzeville, known for being the centre of African-American life and culture. If you are planning to visit this area in August, check out the annual Bud Billiken Parade."

"Restaurants French Rush & Division. You didn't think this upscale French restaurant in the Gold Coast would skimp on desserts, did you?. At Margeaux Brasserie, the last course is a show, with options like a giant chocolate macaron stuffed with fresh raspberries and milk chocolate crémeux or the banana tarte tatin with warm citrus caramel that's poured tableside."

"Three floors above the lobby of the swank Waldorf Astoria is restaurateur Michael Mina's ode to 1920s-era Paris. Classic Parisian bistro fare (escargot, steak frites, duck breast) gets a contemporary spin. Foie gras comes as parfait with preserved cherries and cornichons."

"Chicagoans really only eat deep dish on rare occasions (ie. they have a guest in town) because it’s too dense to consume all the time (even during hibernation season). But that doesn’t mean we still don’t love our pizza year-round. Also Try: Coalfire, Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, Eately"

"It’s no surprise that Chicago is brimming with delicious pizza places. However, where else could you get a pizza topped with mashed potatoes but Piece Brewery."

"They’ve been serving up vegan meatloaf, vegan gyros, vegan country fried steak, and more for over 25 years. You absolutely will not find meat anywhere on this menu. This is exactly the old-school diner atmosphere and menu that Americans have adored for decades."

"The Chicago Diner, Logan Square uses local, seasonal ingredients and produce. All cleaning products are environment-friendly and their takeout containers are bio-degradable. They also utilize only FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified office paper."

"Do you fancy inviting your beloved one to have a special dinner in a fancy restaurant?. Haven’t found any vegan-friendly restaurants yet?. Try a vegan restaurant in Chicago, The Chicago Diner out."

"Outstanding Mediterranean and Lebanese food consistently comes from the kitchen of this longtime Andersonville favorite. The large menu includes a mix of meat and vegetarian options (vegan options too). Roast lamb with couscous, Moroccan chicken with apricots, and Mediterranean eggplant are just a few of the goodies that await."