The Mag Mile.

Every city has its famous street. New York has Broadway, Los Angeles has Sunset, St. Louis has Olive Street, and Chicago has the Magnificent Mile. Unlike all of the other streets above you will find many, if not most people, will have little trouble walking from one end to the other. Although more than a mile, the scenery is amazing. You walk from Millennium Park to the Water Tower, with many stores, restaurants and hotels in between.

When I first moved to Chicago almost 30 years ago, the Michigan Avenue AKA “the Mag Mile” was nothing like it is today. Sure it was just as long, but the number of new buildings and attractions has sprouted up over the years. The Mag Mile is probably one of the most visited locations in Chicago next to Wrigley Field and O’Hare, but they are not the same. When “Cows on Parade” were in the city, more were found on this stretch of the city. When Oprah held her 25th Anniversary show last year, yep it was held right in front of the Wrigley Building.

Every spring and summer the flowers explode from the planters in the middle of the street. Something that came about for the Democratic convention held in Chicago back in 1996. Mayor Daley, the son of the most famous mayor in Chicago history, insisted the city look like the first class city it is---and not the second city it is called.

One of my favorite things to do while walking the Mag Mile is people watch. From one end to the other you can see the change in demographics. As you walk northward you will find more tourists who explore the museums and loop, and the further north you walk the fashion statements do just that---they make a statement. No doubt with some of Chicago’s most expensive real estate—the outfits are very reflective of the money in the area and the retailers who know the money is there. Small boutiques off streets just to the north of Water Tower have a very distinct clientele. You will not see me in these stores---not only do I not know how to pronounce the names, I could never see paying that kind of money for clothes.

I love Chicago. We are coming into the best time of the year and when we do, no city in the world matches up to the Windy City.

The photo above was actually taken from my dentist’s office. It follows the Mag Mile northward with its cavernous feel and wonderful lines. There is no town like Chicago---Frank Sinatra said it the best, “My Kind of Town.”

Thanks for stopping by.