Categories: Shopping

State Street Chicago

Author: Molly Fergus

State Street Sights

State Street boasts some impressive architecture—from the world's largest public library to its historic hotels and theatres, Chicago 's legendary State Street is chock-full of sights and activities. Here's a sampling of State Street 's more notable sights.

Harold Washington Library

Gargoyles visible from the ‘L' grace this nine story library, giving the 13-year-old building a surprisingly classic feel. The world's largest public library building, the Harold Washington offers visitors and residents respite from Chicago weather extremes and boasts an impressive 756,640 square feet of books, materials and media.

Palmer House Hilton

A prime example of opulent vacationing, the Great Chicago Fire burnt this hotel down 13 days after its initial opening, in September, 1871. Its 1873 remake was the first hotel to boast electricity and elevators and the current building dates to 1927. Wander into the foyer and admire the 19th century lobby with its muraled ceilings and opulent furniture. Don't feel like leaving? Take a seat at the bar or coffee shop, located on the lobby's south side.

Hotel Burnham

Daniel Burnham, John Root and Charles Atwood built this hotel in 1895, pioneering the modern skyscraper with a glass and steel design for what became the Reliance Building. Declared a Chicago landmark in 1975, the structure underwent a $27.5 million renovation in 1999 and reopened as the Hotel Burnham.

Chicago Theatre

Stop by this theatre's marquee, if only for the photo-op. A one-time movie palace and vaudeville stage, this restored venue boasts the famous vertical “Chicago” marquee, and currently features Broadway shows and live acts nightly.

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Bus Co. Stop
The red circle line makes different stops on State Street, Macy’s, and two different stops along Millennium Park.

Check out places of interest near State Street Chicago:

312 Chicago
136 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602

This seasonally influenced Italian-inspired American eatery buzzes by day with politicians (City Hall is across the street), and buzzes with diners heading to the nearby Cadillac Theater at night.
Make a Reservation

A Mano
335 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610

Rustic Italian is on the menu at this restaurant brought to you by the folks behind Bin 36, one of the city's most popular restaurants. It's situated close to the intersection of State Street and the Chicago River, next to the House of Blues.

Ai
358 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60610

This River North Japanese Sushi Restaurant & Lounge opened it's doors in late-September 2007.  From the siblings who brought Ringo Japanese Restaurant and Tsuki to Lincoln Park, comes this lounge/restaurant with authentic Japanese cuisine.

 

Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Atwood Cafe
1 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602

Reminiscent of a Viennese coffeehouse, the Atwood Café's slim chandeliers and plush seats beckon hungry shoppers and well-dressed business folk. Its menu includes “sophisticated American fare” such as butternut squash risotto and pan-seared duck; the café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Bin 36
339 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610

This spot has everything for the oenophile, with a retail store, tavern, restaurant and cheese bar.

Custom House
500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60605

Custom House, led by Shawn McClain, named Best Chef Midwest by the James Beard Foundation in 2006, focuses on offering the finest artisanal meats and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Unlike most classic steak houses, Custom House allows carnivores to savor their meat raw, cured, marinated, braised, roasted and slow-cooked.

Elephant & Castle
160 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611

At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw. 

Elephant & Castle
185 North Wabash, Chicago, Illinois 60601

At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw

Italian Village
71 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603

One of Chicago's oldest and most venerated restaurants, Italian Village has been doing it right for more than 80 years.

P.J. Clarke's
1204 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610

This neighborhood spot features two facets, a long wooden bar filled with revelers and a more secluded rear dining area with tables decked with checkerboard tablecloths.

Smith & Wollensky
318 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This steak location is a Chicago outpost of the New York-based steakhouse chain, which specializes in on-premise dry-aged beef, with choices like a bone-in rib-eye and porterhouse.

Table Fifty-Two
52 W. Elm St., Chicago, IL 60610

Oprah's top chef, Art Smith, is a celebrity in his own right and proves it with the opening of this fine-dining restaurant rife with Southern influences.

 

Walnut Room
111 N State Street, Chicago, IL 60602

The historic Walnut Room, located on Macy's seventh floor, has been a premier Chicago dining destination since 1907.

Borders Books & Music
150 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601

Pop in this big-box book store at the end of a busy shopping spree for a quick coffee or a comfortable seat. Windows on the second floor prove perfect for people watching.

Filene's Basement
1 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60602

Bargain buyers swoon at Filene's prices on upscale purses, shoes, jewelry and clothing for men, women and children. Take the down escalator to reach this designer-name haven, and search for brag-able buys.

Forever 21
28 S. State St, Chicago, IL 60602

Affordable and trendy merchandise serves a primarily young, female demographic, offering of-the-moment accessories, clothes and shoes. Crowds and fitting room lines here can be daunting, but the prices are perfect for fad indulgences.

H & M
22 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60602

Fashion-forward merchandise at can-you-believe-it prices make European-based H&M a favorite for stylish shoppers. This location, with its two accessory sections and mostly-female merchandise caters more specifically to a young, urban demographic and is significantly less crowded than the Michigan Avenue store. Go here to buy fun take-home pieces for men, women and kids.

Macy's
835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Part of Water Tower Place, this is a second downtown location of this famed department store.

Macy's On State Street
111 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60602

Taking up an entire Chicago shopping block on State Street, this landmark department store opened in 1852 and continues to offer top levels of service and merchandise.

Nordstrom Rack
24 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60602

Nordstrom's outlet holds a prime location at State and Washington, and beckons bargain-shoppers. Its shoe department takes up of half of the second floor, and accessories grace the first floor. Shopping here takes a little bit of effort, but the finds make up for any time lost.

Sears
2 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60602

Removed from State Street for 18 years, the department store reopened in this prime location in 2001. This classic retail venue features its typical merchandise such as appliances, apparel and electronics, along with specialty shops such as a coffeehouse and a hair salon.

Urban Outfitters
20 S. State St, Chicago, IL 60603

A recent addition to State Street 's young and trendy shopping strip, this urban-living chain offers home goods and casual-wear catering to a mostly teen and young-twenties demographic. Everything in the store – from furniture to mirrors to jeans – is on sale, and the home decorating pieces are as tempting (if not more so) than the attire.

Urban Shop Guide
815 W. Dickens Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

Urban Shop Guide offers guided, customized shopping tours of Chicago’s trendy neighborhoods, providing visitors access to small boutiques and the essence of Chicago shopping.

 

10pin Bowling
330 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This hip, nightlife-centered Chicago lounge features 24 bowling lanes and an extensive martini list. Edible fare here is served from a small plates menu, perfect for sharing.

312 Chicago
136 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602

This seasonally influenced Italian-inspired American eatery buzzes by day with politicians (City Hall is across the street), and buzzes with diners heading to the nearby Cadillac Theater at night.
Make a Reservation

Ai
358 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60610

This River North Japanese Sushi Restaurant & Lounge opened it's doors in late-September 2007.  From the siblings who brought Ringo Japanese Restaurant and Tsuki to Lincoln Park, comes this lounge/restaurant with authentic Japanese cuisine.

 

Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Bin 36
339 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610

This spot has everything for the oenophile, with a retail store, tavern, restaurant and cheese bar.

Buddy Guy's Legends
754 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

World-renowned and local Chicago blues artists are the draw at this club owned by blues legend, Buddy Guy, as is the soul-ful Cajun food and major music paraphenalia also on display here.

Italian Village
71 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603

One of Chicago's oldest and most venerated restaurants, Italian Village has been doing it right for more than 80 years.

P.J. Clarke's
1204 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610

This neighborhood spot features two facets, a long wooden bar filled with revelers and a more secluded rear dining area with tables decked with checkerboard tablecloths.

Potter's
17 E Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603

Located inside the Palmer House Hilton, Potter's offers unique retro cocktails and delicious small plates in a classically elegant setting.

 

The Redhead Piano Bar
16 W. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60610

Top-notch piano players make The Redhead Piano Bar a sought-after venue when it comes to sophisticated live music in Chicago. Gather around the piano, or head toward the back of the room for more intimate conversation.

10pin Bowling
330 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This hip, nightlife-centered Chicago lounge features 24 bowling lanes and an extensive martini list. Edible fare here is served from a small plates menu, perfect for sharing.

Macy's On State Street
111 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60602

Taking up an entire Chicago shopping block on State Street, this landmark department store opened in 1852 and continues to offer top levels of service and merchandise.