Highlights of the Mag Mile include:

 •  Water Tower Place:  because it was one of the first vertical malls in the country, full of glitz and chrome and glass elevators;  because Girlawhirl from Fiorucci to Frangos, has had many fashion moments there; and because even though there are newer malls on the Mag Mile, Water Tower still competes with the best of them.

 •  Fabulous flagships and other special stores:  the first American Girl Place, the only Ralph Lauren restaurant, one of the biggest Banana Republics Girlawhirl has ever been in, (even more surprising since there are two additional BRs within three blocks!), a jewel of a Crate & Barrel, a multi-level Mark Shale and a Niketown that turns shopping into a I'm-definitely-going-to-the-gym-tonight-because-I've-just-got-to-do-it-wearing-these-impossibly-cool-new-workout-shoes experience.

 •  Department Stores Galore:  Bloomingdales, Lord and Taylor, Marshall Field's (oops! now Macy's!), Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and two Saks 5^th Avenues, men's and women's, across the street from each other.

 •  And, as she's rushing about, up and down the avenue, keeping track of the cross streets used to get a little confusing for Girlawhirl.  So she made up a little saying to keep them straight.  From North to South it goes like this: Chicago is Superior. Huron is Erie.  Ontario and Ohio are Grand.  (Quietly) whispering this to herself when she's turned around helps her figure out exactly where she is and how much further she needs to go to reach her destination.

There's more to Michigan Avenue than the shopping stretch called the Mag Mile. South of the river it borders Millennium Park, The Art Institute, and many other Chicago landmarks.

Go Get It!