Finding a Luxury Retreat Along the Magnificent Mile

Chicago has been enjoying a tourism renaissance lately. While the city has always been a unique and exciting landmark of American history, architecture and shopping, its reputation has begun to explode. Chicago is quickly becoming one of the country's "must-see" destinations.

With its mix of extravagant restaurants, bustling streets and strong arts scene, it's no wonder! The city once best known for baseball has emerged as a strong leader in everything from entertainment to fashion. While there's no way to cram all the excitement into a single trip, visiting the Magnificent Mile is the best way to try.

Running along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street, the Magnificent Mile is known as "the" Chicago destination not to be missed, and is home to almost everything a visitor might want to experience. The prestigious street picked up the Magnificent Mile moniker in the 1940's, when Arthur Rubloff of the real estate development firm Rubloff Company bestowed the gem of a name to the street that, even then, was known as the happening place to be and be seen.

Visitors staying at a luxury hotel in Chicago are highly advised to plan a full day, at least, into their itineraries for Magnificent Mile exploration. Easily accessible from any Chicago loop hotel or downtown Chicago hotel, the experience will be worth it!

During the summer, the Magnificent mile is host to the Gardens of Chicago's Magnificent Mile festival. Leave the lounge at your hip Chicago hotel behind and don't miss this riveting and socially-conscious exhibit. A self-guided walking tour will bring you to lovely urban gardens that keep the Magnificent Mile feeling open and alive with their cascading greenery and colorful flowers. For this festival, local arts students used the term "Fantasy Fashion" as inspiration to create fashion forms using only green materials that could be reused, recycled and are water-proof. Their results are incredibly creative, and an interesting commentary on what it might mean to be green, one day.

If fashion inspiration has struck after viewing the green creations, you're sure to get your fix in one of the 460 stores within the Mile. From the big name fashion giants with recognizable bags to one of a kind boutiques with local flavor, Magnificent Mile truly has something for everyone. There's almost no excuse for heading back to your hotel without something new and fabulous!

Following the fashion frenzy, consider relaxing on one of the Mile's exceptional tours. If architecture thrills you, an architecture tour along the Chicago River will certainly fit the bill. For a more general tour with a historic focus, a cruise around Lake Michigan is ideal. If the thought of a water tour has you wanting to head back to your Chicago luxury hotel and pull up the covers, use the time to explore the Mile's exceptional theaters or museums.

Staying at a Chicago hotel near the Magnificent Mile? Luckily you're just steps away from some of the city's best dining! Whether you're after authentic ethnic joints featuring homemade specialties or fine, four-star dining, the Mile's got you covered. While trendy Chicago hotel bars are a fine spot to start an evening's adventures, the restaurants of Michigan Avenue will not disappoint. In true Chicago style, consider chowing down on a deep dish pizza, or a perfectly cooked steak at one of the city's finest steakhouses to wrap up your day.