The St. Clair Hotel - Magnificent Mile

Also known at The Mag Mile, The Magnificent Mile is one of Chicago's top destinations and considered one of the best places in the world to go shopping. Spanning 13 blocks of North Michigan Ave, The Magnificent Mile is chock-full of high-end retail, restaurants, entertainment, and attractions. The Magnificent Mile's offerings are so extensive that it would be easy to spend the entire duration of one's trip here.

Types of stores at The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is best known for its extensive collection of luxury apparel stores, however there are also clothing stores are a more moderate price point. Most likely, you'll be able to find anything you need on The Magnificent mile, with store categories including children's toys, home furnishings, souvenirs, and even grocery stores. Famous shopping landmarks include American Girl Place and Water Tower Place.

Food at The Magnificent Mile
There are numerous quality food options at The Magnificent, at a wide variety of price points and in nearly any variety of cuisine you could want. For classic deep dish Chicago pizza, visitors and locals both love Giordano's. For a festive atmosphere, try Carnivale for Latin flavors and Quartino for Italian food.

Parking and public transportation at The Magnificent Mile
There are many parking garages scatted throughout The Magnificent Mile. Due to the popularity of the area, parking tends to be expensive. Over a dozen bus lines serve The Magnificent Mile, and the L train's Chicago and Grand Avenue Red Line stops are both just a few blocks away.

Other places to visit near The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile ends at the beach, the perfect place to relax and recharge after a long summer day of shopping. Chicago's popular architectural boat tours also leave from The Magnificent Mile. Chicago's popular Millennium Park is also just a few blocks away.

Insider tip for visitors to the Magnificent Mile
The popular Magnificent Mile's streets tend to be extremely crowded. For a quicker and quieter walk, try avoiding North Michigan Ave when possible and walking down other nearby streets.

Author's bio: Kacie Berghoef is a freelance writer who grew up in Chicago and currently lives in San Francisco. Stay in touch with Kacie on Twitter at @kberghoef.