Posted by the editors
Travel | 12 Aug 07 | Comments (6) | Stumble
Click on the map above to see all of Joshua's favorite places.
MUSEUM
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) | 312.280.2660 | mcachicago.org | 220 East Chicago Avenue
It feels like there is always something new at the MCA- their display rotation is fast, and you are guaranteed something unique and interesting on local, national, and international levels. The museum also houses a Wolfgang Puck cafe, an excellent museum store full of ID objects, art books, music, DVDs and stationery, and is at the north end of the main shopping stretch of Michigan Avenue.
SHOPPING
Armitage Avenue between Halsted and Sheffield, easy access from Armitage Brown Line Stop
Many Chicago staples and great stores and eateries to name. A few:
- Minnies, a burger/sandwich shop where all menu items are miniature
- 1154 Lill, a custom bag shop
- Chicago Bagel Authority, amazing steamed bagel sandwiches
Add to that places like Art Effect, LUSH (handmade soap), Active Endeavors, Metropark, and more - you can spend the day shopping on this short stretch of pavement.
FOOD
Fox & Obel | 312.410.7301 | fox-obel.com | 401 East Illinois Street
There will be no shortage of people telling you about the city's best burger, Chicago-style hot dog, or seven-course meal as you walk down the street. However, I will tell you now that the best place for gourmet cheeses, wines, charcuterie, artisan breads, and pastries in Chicago is Fox & Obel. This market & cafe has just about anything you'd be looking for, but be prepared to pay for it! Located on the corner of Illinois and McClurg, adjacent to the River East Art Center, and just down the street from Navy Pier.
MUSIC
Old Town School of Folk Music | 773.728.6000 | oldtownschool.org | 4544 North Lincoln Avenue
If you're in Chicago, see if there's a performance going on at the Old Town School- it is guaranteed to be good. Their venue is relaxed and comfortable, located on the south end of Lincoln Square (another great place to shop and eat). And if you're looking for a musical instrument to buy, it's likely the Old Town School will have it.
FUN
Chicago Comics | 773.528.1983 | chicagocomics.com | 3244 North Clark Street
Hands down the most diverse comic book shop in the city, Chicago Comics not only carries your standard Marvel and DC fare, but also has an enormous selection of alternative 'zines, art books and design monographs, work from local authors, any vinyl toys and figures. It's hard to leave empty handed.
As a Brit who's lived in the States I welcome your insider tips for my next visit. Makes me start planing in earnest! Chicago is one of my fave cities - puts paid to the myth about the east and west coasts leading the way. I mean, for example , they were the first city to ban foie gras! And now many more progressive cities, shops and restaurants have started to follow suit. Here in London, Harvey Nicks has recently announced that it is to stop selling the vile stuff. Anyway, can't wait to visit Fox & Obel. Mmmmmm.
Cheers!
Armitage Avenue?! Bleh, chain stores galore. Go West-- the Blue Line will be your salvation.
The Blue Line is your salvation... when it's not running 5mph (which is 100% of the time). Even with the outages, I'm a tried-and-true Brown Line fan.
While there are too many great shopping nodes to count in this city (including those around the Damen Blue Line stop), I stand by Armitage as a good, small stretch for anyone to easy come and check out local shops and food as well as visit some chains, like Paul Frank, Paper Source, and American Apparel, that everyone knows and loves. While I love lots of indie stuff, I am, in the end, a consumer of all things.
Minnie's was the prefect way to wrap up shopping on Armitage, especially after trying to figure out the perfect design combo for a handbag at 1154 Lill. Loved the mini martini glasses so much that I had to hunt some down when I got home. Armitage was a great destination for a first time visitor like me.
Craig - that's weird... by my count, more than 50% of the business on & around Armitage Ave. are either privately-owned shops or independent small businesses, like Chicago Bagel Authority and Art Effect... +plus several Chicago-based "chains" (1154 Lill, All She Wrote, Lori's shoes, Argo Tea, Active Endeavors, etc.) Besides, this is a list of Jw's personal favorites, not a list of universal opinion.
Armitage, hell Lincoln Park, doesn't even register on my design-shopping radar. Maybe I'm missing the point of this post, but judging from the SF post, focusing on Armitage is missing out on what defines truly unique Chicago retail experiences.