Page 34 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guides - Chicago

32 ❯❯ Top 10 Chicago Highlights

Magnificent Mile

This glitzy strip of stores and striking buildings runs for, you
guessed it, about a mile (1.6 km), along North Michigan Avenue.
A sharp developer came up with the “magnificent” moniker in 1947,
and it has stuck ever since. Often known as the Mag Mile, it is
home to big-guns department stores like Neiman Marcus, as well
as high-end boutiques such as Tiffany & Co., and popular chain
stores. The strip is at its best around Christmas when twinkling
trimmings provide welcome relief from the often gray days.
John Hancock 1
Center
When this super-sleek
100-story skyscraper
was built in 1970, it was
the world’s tallest
building. Exhilarating
views of Chicago and
beyond (right) are
afforded by the 94th-
floor observatory and
adjoining open-air area,
the Skywalk (see p79).
Hotel
2
InterContinental
Originally built in 1929 as
a luxury club for the all-
male Shrine association,
this amazing hotel (see
p116) reveals a range of
flamboyant architectural
styles in its public spaces.
You can take a self-
Water Tower
guided tour to see the 3
highlights, including the Place BRIDGE TO SUCCESS
stunning swimming pool Housing a busy shopping The North Michigan
(below) on the 14th floor. mall, this complex is one Ave nue bascule bridge,
of the world’s tallest bu ilt in 1920, was the
reinforced concrete first of its kind in the
buildings. Its 100-plus world. Instrumental in
shops and ven ues include Chica go’s northward
a branch of Macy’s and a ex pan sion, it provides a
Broadway-style theater. fitting gateway to the
city’s main retail artery –
The Drake
4 the Mag Mile. The
southwest tower houses
Hotel
This elegant hotel the McCormick Tribune
Bridgehouse and River
became an instant Museum, which details
glamor hotspot when it the history of the
opened New Year’s Eve Chicago River and
in 1920. Marilyn Monroe features displays on the
was among the stars interworkings of this
who visited. High tea landmark drawbridge.
here is a treat (see p117).

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