Map 32 • Gold Coast / Mag Mile image

image

 

Gold Coast / Mag Mile

image

Map 32

Between the sticky bars on Division Street and the Viagra Triangle pick-up joints on Rush, it’s easy for locals to find fun. But the Gold Coast/Mag Mile (actually only eight-tenths of a mile, but who’s counting?) is also home to some of Chicago’s most impressive architecture, libraries (including The Newberry), and beautiful beaches. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Lookingglass Theatre add to the cultural cache.

image Landmarks

• Charnley-Persky House • 1365 N Astor St

312-915-0105

Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright designed this national historic landmark. Go look before it becomes a CVS.

• John Hancock Observatory • 875 N Michigan Ave

888-875-8439

Zone out the tourists, and focus in on the prettiest view of the city.

• Lake Shore Drive Apartments •

860 Lake Shore Dr

Less is more—by Mies van der Rohe.

• The Newberry • 60 W Walton St

312-943-9090

There’s plenty to offer at this humanities library.

• Old Playboy Mansion • 1340 N State Pkwy

You have no idea what happened here.

• Water Tower Place • 835 N Michigan Ave

312-440-3166

Huge shopping—6 floors—Marshall Field’s, er, Macy’s.

image Nightlife

• Butch McGuire’s • 20 W Division St

312-787-4318

Wet T-shirt contests anyone?

• Coq d’Or • 140 E Walton St

312-932-4623

A sophisticate’s lodge: red leather, dark wood, torch singers, and pub food.

• Dublin’s • 1050 N State St

312-266-6340

Gold Coast pub.

• The Hangge Uppe • 14 W Elm St

312-337-0561

No-frills, all fun, dancing. Hip hop upstairs, ‘80s classics downstairs.

• Shenannigan’s • 16 W Division St

312-642-2344

Another Rush vicinity hellhole.

• The Signature Room • 875 N Michigan Ave

312-787-9596

It’s the view, not the food. Proposal hot spot.

• Underground Wonder Bar • 710 N Clark St

312-266-7761

Mostly jazz.

• Zebra Lounge • 1220 N State Pkwy

312-642-5140

Garish, cramped piano bar—in other words, it’s a hit.

Gucci, Chanel, Barney’s, Prada; they don’t call it the Gold Coast for nothing. But with Urban Outfitters and H&M, there’s plenty for us regular folk as well. On Rush Street, Ikram is a favorite of FLOTUS Michelle Obama. Speaking of whom, the Obamas’ favorite Chicago date place happens to be Spiaggia.

image Restaurants

• Balsan • 11 E Walton St

312-646-1400 • $$$

The Waldorf Astoria’s “casual” option.

• Bar Toma • 110 E Pearson St

312-266-3110 • $$

Chef Tony Mantuano’s (Spiaggia) take on the classic Italian pizzeria.

• Bistrot Zinc • 1131 N State St

312-337-1131 • $$

Quiet elegance.

• Cafe des Architectes • 20 E Chestnut St

312-324-4063 • $$$

French Mediterranean with late kitchen.

• Cape Cod • 140 E Walton Pl

312-932-4625 • $$$$

Over-the-top nautical décor.

• Carmine’s • 1043 N Rush St

312-988-7676 • $$$

Crowded and pricey Italian.

• Del Frisco’s • 58 E Oak St

312-888-2489 • $$

Sleek modern steakhouse.

• Fornetto Mei • 107 E Delaware Pl

312-573-6301 • $$$

Authentic pizza. Deep dish lovers stay away.

• Freshii • 835 N Michigan Ave

312-202-9009 • $

Tasty wraps, hold the guilt.

• Gaylord • 100 E Walton St

312-664-1700 • $

Improbably named Indian spot.

• Gibson’s Steakhouse • 1028 N Rush St

312-266-8999 • $$$$$

If you love steak, get a reservation.

• Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House • 1024 N Rush St

312-640-0999 • $$$

Hearty seafood.

• Le Colonial • 937 N Rush St

312-255-0088 • $$$

Indochine comes to the Second City. Very nice.

• Le Petit Paris • 260 E Chestnut St

312-787-8260 • $$$$

Shhh! Don’t tell anyone about this Gallic hideaway!

• Mario’s Table • 21 W Goethe St

312-944-0199 • $$$

Classic Italian neighborhood gem.

• McCormick & Schmick’s • 41 E Chestnut St

312-397-9500 • $$$$

Seafood chain that outdoes itself on portions and taste.

• Merlo on Maple • 16 W Maple St

312-335-8200 • $$$

Fine dining Italian in a classic, quaint, romantic setting.

• Morton’s the Steakhouse • 1050 N State St

312-266-4820 • $$$$$

The steakhouse standard.

• Mr. J’s Dawg & Burger • 822 N State St

312-943-4679 • $

Mom-and-pop burger joint.

• Nico Osteria • 1015 N Rush St

312-994-7100 • $$$

Seafood-focused Italian hot spot.

• Original Pancake House • 22 E Bellevue Pl

312-642-7917 • $$

The apple waffle/pancake is right!

• Pump Room • 1301 N State Pkwy

312-787-3700 • $$$$$

Chicago old-school tradition. Dress code.

• RA Sushi • 1139 N State St

312-274-0011 • $$$

Rock-n-roll sushi bar.

• Spiaggia • 980 N Michigan Ave

312-280-2750 • $$$$$

One of Chicago’s best—gorgeous lake view and Italian cuisine.

• Sprinkles Cupcakes • 50 E Walton St

312-573-1600 • $

Gourmet cupcakes for the Gold Coast crowd.

• Tavern on Rush • 1031 N Rush St

312-664-9600 • $$$$

Summer mainstay, American menu.

• Tempo Cafe • 6 E Chestnut St

312-943-4373 • $$

24/7 patio seating and huge menu.

image Shopping

• 900 North Michigan Shops • 900 N Michigan Ave

312-915-3916

High-end mall stores.

• Agent Provocateur • 47 E Oak St

312-335-0229

A British lingerie invasion in the Gold Coast.

• Barney’s New York • 15 E Oak St

312-587-1700

Upscale boutique, clothing, and accessories.

• BCBGMAXAZRIA • 113 E Oak St

312-475-0053

Upscale chic women’s fashion.

• Bravco • 43 E Oak St

312-943-4305

For those who like to be pampered.

• Calypso Christiane Celle • 50 E Oak St

312-649-9934

From finger puppets and feminine dresses to candles.

• Chanel • 935 N Michigan Ave

312-787-5500

Classic, expensive clothing, accessories, and fragrances.

• Club Monaco • 900 N Michigan Ave

312-787-8757

Fashion-forward clothing that doesn’t try too hard.

• Flight 001 • 1133 N State St

312-944-1001

Modern retro-style travel gear.

• The Frye Company • 1007 N Rush St

312-642-3793

Brick and mortar flagship for those boots you’ve been coveting.

• Gucci • 900 N Michigan Ave

312-664-5504

Tom Ford’s alluring and provocative clothes and accessories.

• H&M • 840 N Michigan Ave

312-640-0060

European department store taking Chicago by storm.

• Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafter •

100 E Walton St

312-649-6717

Artisanal breads, croissants, and coffee with a European flair.

• Hermes • 25 E Oak St

312-787-8175

Fancy scarves and more.

Bar Toma is Tony Mantuano’s (Spiaggia) take on a classic Italian pizzeria. Speaking of Italian, Nico Osteria specializes in seafood. If you want something to take home, head over to Goddess and the Grocer. Speaking of being thrifty, dodge admission to the Hancock Observatory by getting a martini at The Signature Room at the 96th two floors above.

• Hershey’s Chocolate World • 822 N Michigan Ave

312-337-7711

Dumb and fun chocoholic tourist trap.

• Ikram • 15 E Huron St

312-587-1000

The First Lady’s favorite boutique.

• Independence • 47 E Oak St

312-675-2105

Menswear and shoes made in the Land of Liberty.

• Intermix • 40 E Delaware Pl

312-640-2922

The NYC shoppers’ mecca.

• Lululemon • 930 N Rush St

312-915-0627

Canadian-based yoga wear brand brings soft-as-cashmere soy clothes and sleek attire.

• More Cupcakes • 1 E Delaware Pl

312-951-0001

The BLT cupcake is exactly what it sounds like.

• Prada • 30 E Oak St

312-951-1113

Expensive, but delightful, clothing and accessories.

• Pratesi • 67 E Oak St

312-943-8422

Linens.

• Tod’s • 121 E Oak St

312-943-0070

Italian luxury leather goods.

• Topshop • 830 N Michigan Ave

312-280-6834

Hip, trendy UK retailer of women’s togs and accessories.

• Ultimate Bride • 106 E Oak St

312-337-6300

Bridal gear.

• Urban Outfitters • 935 N Rush St

312-640-1919

Retro clothing, nifty gifts, and cool accessories.

• Water Tower Place • 835 N Michigan Ave

312-440-3166

Marshall Fields, er, Macy’s.

• Y-3 • 50 E Oak St

312-573-3310

High-end collaboration between Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas.