Americas

[Visited: May 2009 and several times before]

Chicago is the U.S.A.'s capital of architecture, and its Magnificent Mile is a perfect dressing window for it. Its actual name is North Michigan Avenue, which leads from Chicago River to Oak Street Beach, leading almost from the heart of Chicago towards the north, linking the Loop business district in the south to the Gold Coast area on Lake Michigan in the north. It was dubbed the Magnificent Mile, not only because the distance covered is roughly a mile, but also because Chicagoans are proud of their city and use superlatives to describe it. The nickname was given in the 1940s, and on it, you can find some of the tallest buildings of the entire USA, as well as many shops, restaurants, and remarkable and historically significant structures.
Here, you can shop at all famous American stores, on both sides of Magnificent Mile.You can walk two miles with shops at your side all the time, only interrupted by a restaurant or an office building. You will not fail to notice that this is one of the most prestigious areas of Chicago. At the southern side of the Magnificent Mile, you will find some of the leading media organizations of Chicago, such as the Chicago Tribune. At the same time, you can enjoy marvelling at some fine examples of modern, art deco and Gothic architecture. A good start is the Hancock Building, which offers you a good view over the Magnificent Mile and the rest of Chicago's impressive skyline. This is one of Chicago's highest structures at over 1000 feet or 300 metres above street level.
From here, walking the Magnificent Mile towards Chicago River you can see the Watertower on the Watertower Place right below Hancock Building. Further on, you come across both modern and classical style buildings, with at the end of the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Tribune building as a prime example of fusion between Gothic and modern architecture, and the Wrigley Building on the other side of the street. The latter towers over the street, has a very curious angle, and a skywalk between the two towers. In between the two ends of the Magnificent Mile, you might want to walk with your head in your shoulders, to appreciate the details of the buildings. Or appreciate the strip in the middle of Michigan Avenue, with flowers - but only in the right season.

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Magnificent Mile (United States)

Magnificent Mile > United States > Americas

[Visited: May 2009 and several times before]

Around the World in 80 Clicks