Chicago Shopping Tips by yooperprof Top 5 Page for this destination

Filene's Virgin Crate 'n Borders Banana Nike Barn: Michigan Avenue in the Fall Magnificent Mile/Michigan Avenue Review

You want it? It's probably somewhere on Michigan Avenue. But don't forget to enjoy the view. This has become one of America's great shopping streets - and there's something here for everyone. And the best thing is that, although there are malls aplenty here, the street is still public space.

Theme: Other

IKEA: Scandinavian Design Superstore Home Furnishings Review

IKEA isn't so much a store as it is a way of life. Inexpensive home furnishings for the masses, displayed in clean, well-lit and spartan surroundings - a formula that has worked around the world. The Chicago-area IKEA, in suburban Schaumburg, is the company's busiest outlet in North America, with reported sales last year of $160 million.

By some accounts, IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad is among the world's wealthiest individual. (Forbes ranks him as #13, with a personal fortune estimated in the vicinity of $18 billion.) The company derives its name from the initials of his name, I & K, along with E for Elmtaryd (the farm he was born on) and A for Agunnaryd (the village he grew up in).

Chicago's IKEA features three massive floors of well-designed products, everything from "Ektorp" Sofas to "Grunka" Kitchenware. (Sometimes I just like to read the labels to see the names of the product lines.)

There's some interesting sociology behind IKEA's success in the USA. In some ways it's a Wal-mart for the aspirational classes.

TIP: Every IKEA has an in-store cafeteria - a good place to nosh while shopping. Swedish meatballs are always on the menu, along with other freshly prepared entrees, salads and desserts. The food is both surprisingly tasty and excellent value - and (as you might expect) the coffee that they serve is strong enough to give you a buzz that will last for hours.

Address: Off Golf Rd. in Schaumburg

Directions: Next to the Woodfield Mall

Theme: Home Furnishing

Carson Pirie & Scott: Furniture and Furnishings on State Street State Street Review

If you are coming to Chicago to look for things to decorate your home or apartment, or to investigate furniture options, don't figure the classic old department stores on State Street. They really do have excellent "departments" for interior design - and their prices are quite reasonable. (If only shipping weren't so expensive!)

Carson Pirie & Scott has some very nice coffee tables - maybe on my next trip to Chicago. . .

Address: State Street at Madison, in the Loop

Theme: Department Store