ReZoom

Chicago's famous Magnificent Mile with block after block of luxury stores, international furniture with a reasonable price and a trendy flair, small boutiques with one-of-a-kind items, and the best place in the city to get Chinese herbs: whatever your craving, you can find it here.

The Magnificent Mile
With four shopping centers (including the ritzy 900 N. Michigan shops and downtown mall Water Tower Place), countless upscale boutiques, flagship retail stores and Chicago-exclusive shops, you can spend days crawling up and down Michigan Avenue and its side streets on the Magnificent Mile. Stretching from around 900 N. to the Chicago River. www.themagnificentmile.com

South State Street
In the past two years, this shopping district has been revitalized as a discount shopping area with stores like Annie Sez, Filene's Basement and more. Pick up bargains just a short walk from Chicago's more luxurious Mag Mile, and cap off your trek with a visit to the nearby Harold Washington Library's many art and literary exhibits. From Washington to Van Buren, on State Street.

Woodfield Mall
This suburban shopping mecca, a quick 25 miles outside of Chicago, hosts more than 300 stores inside, and blocks and blocks of discount shops in the surrounding area. Golf Road at Route 53 (5 Woodfield Shopping Center), Schaumburg. (847) 330-1537. www.shopwoodfield.com

IKEA
Think you can fill a day at just one store? If it's Scandinavian IKEA, you can. Featuring reasonable and stylish furniture, housewares and even flooring, this multi-tiered store is best visted during the week because weekend crowds start early. There's also a restaurant inside. 1800 E. McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg. (847) 969-9700. www.ikea.com
Chinatown
Purchase a wok, authentic Chinese clothing or cooking ingredients (as well as some mean dim sum) in Chicago's eclectic Chinatown neighborhood. It dates back to 1878 and is marked by brightly-colored pagodas and hidden Chinese restaurant gems that are located close to the South Loop. West Cermak Road, south of the Loop. www.chicagochinatown.org

Southport Corridor
This once-sleepy street has come alive in recent years with boutiques, gift shops and specialty stores. Pick up stylish earrings, killer shoes and designer men's jeans in one swoop. Then stop for Viennese coffee at the lone U.S. outpost of Julius Meinl Café, or grab lunch at one of the street's many Latin, Asian or sandwich-serving eateries. Southport Avenue, between Belmont and Irving Park. www.southportcorridor.com

Bucktown/Wicker Park
While some of the stores in this funky northwest neighborhood stock punky looks, the area is also home to upscale women's clothing boutiques such as Dandelion and p.45, boasting clothing classy enough for the working professional but trendy enough to please indie actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and rocker and Chicago native Liz Phair. Also stop by Reckless Records for old tunes on vinyl and visit Climate for unique gifts. Corner of Damen Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue and North Avenue, about a mile in each direction.

Restaurants to Fill Out the Day

Grand Lux Cafe
This giant restaurant has an equally large menu. From lasagna to jumbo fried shrimp, you're bound to find something you like, and almost every seat has a partial city view. (Reasonable) 600 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago. (312) 276-2500. www.grandluxcafe.com

Coobah
Ignore the strip mall exterior and try Asian Mint, an Asian-fusion café with great prices on Thai, Chinese and sushi. (Reasonable) 3423 N Southport Avenue, Chicago. (773) 528-2220. www.coobah.com

Hotels to Complete the Night

Hotel Burnham
This village within the city boasts 11 restaurants, over 1600 guest rooms, a world-class fitness center and concierge service. (Luxury) 1 W Washington Street, Chicago. (312) 782-1111. www.burnhamhotel.com

The Tremont
This laid back, but lovely hotel is located just off Michigan Avenue but is miles away from the hustle and bustle (and expense) of its nearby hotel neighbors. 100 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago. (312) 751-1900

Some think of shopping as exercise. Others need to let off the steam built up while shopping. If either of these is you, check out our article on Active things to do in Chicago.