Chicago Shopping advice

[greg-777]

Hello again,

Have not been on here in a while but have a trip to the USA 13- 23rd April, with two nights in Chicago, Friday Night, all day saturday and Sunday Morning. I am staying at Omni on Mag Mile.

I am planning the following and need some advice.

Shopping. I want to do some outlet shopping at Premium Outlet Aurora which will involve a Met train ride and a Pace bus, about 1.5 hours each way. But was readingy that on State Street downtown there are some good bargins to be had, if I can do downtown rather than Aurora, id be happy with that. Last trip to the US i purchased 45 kg of clothes from a Premium outlet in Georgia.

I want to visit John hancock again, and Lego Store, do church sunday morning at the catherdral ,and if possible saturday afternoon go to a socks game taking the red line from Chicago or Grand to 43rd Soxs

Any additional advice on shopping. Appreciate all your advice

 

[drron]

the Aurora outlets really are good but like everything else stateside having a car is a great idea.
For Chicago itsef the area around State and Washington is good for shopping.There is a Nordstrom Rack there which is Nordstrom's own outlet-often some great bargains.All the department stores have sales though and at present they are nearly continuous.You can look up their websites for whats on sale and often can print out coupons for discounts.Saturday's paper in the main cities also often has coupons for discounts and invariably has ads on what is on sale.
Other dept stores in the area are Marshall Fields-the building itself is worth a visit although the store is now owned by Macys.Macys is in this area and dont forget to ask where you get your international discount pass-varies between states but usually 10 or 11% discount.Ask at Marshall Fields to as all those owned by Macys normally have a similiar discount.
There is also a T J Maxx store in this area-discount store a bit more downmarket than Nordstrom Rack.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Aurora is ok but a long way out and not as good as other premium outlets in other states. It is also terrible traffic coming back into the city (regardless of which day of the week it is). We got out there in 1 hour or so, and took 2 hr 15 to get back, missing our dinner reservations in the process. And that was on a weekend!

I would stick downtown unless you know there is a brand at aurora that you really want to go and see.

 

[Sprucegoose]

OT sorry, but do the boat ride. Magnificent architecture.

Im in the states shortly and doing my shopping at the premium outlet north Vegas then off to the airport and straight through to Aus. No stuffing about with bags and lugging things around.

Yes, I've learnt the hard way.

 

[drron]

Aurora is ok but a long way out and not as good as other premium outlets in other states. It is also terrible traffic coming back into the city (regardless of which day of the week it is). We got out there in 1 hour or so, and took 2 hr 15 to get back, missing our dinner reservations in the process. And that was on a weekend!

I would stick downtown unless you know there is a brand at aurora that you really want to go and see.

On a weekend if you go to Aurora always do it early.We went there on a Labor day weekend.Arrived 30 minutes before the shops opened-no problems parking.when we left~90 minutes after the shops opened the queues were literally miles long to get into the parking lot.The drive back to Chicago was no problem at all.

 

[ReLoad]

Agreed, make sure you hit Aurora when it opens, as in be there on opening time.
The other outlet mall we hit there was Gurnee mills which is just over the border in Wisconsin. So if you are north based that is the place to head.
Traffic in Chicago can be a nightmare, but as we always hire a car there, it is just so much easier. (Chicago local tip: Avoid any freeway named after a president!!!)

If you get a chance go to Wrigley field and watch the cubs, Although we haven't won for over 100 years it is the quintessential place to see American sporting history.
Try a Bison Dog. (yes thats right a Bison dog!) they are just awesome.
(purposely ignored the OP's request to go and see the Sox! - the "Cell" is is is known is a terrible stadium)

Also for a better LEGO experience (the downtown store is seriously cool) but there is a LEGO discovery centre at the Woodfield Mall. (It is like a mini LEGOLAND)