From the iconic Magnificent Mile to the diverse neighborhood retail corridors, Chicago is a city that takes shopping seriously. While the Windy City is renowned for its architecture, deep-dish pizza, and lakefront views, its indoor retail destinations offer a unique escape from the harsh winters and humid summers. These sprawling complexes are more than just places to buy clothes; they are community hubs where families gather, tourists explore, and foodies indulge in world-class dining. Whether you are hunting for luxury couture, vintage finds, or family-friendly entertainment, the retail landscape here is as varied as the city’s 77 neighborhoods.
Navigating the sheer volume of retail options can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors or new residents. The city and its surrounding suburbs boast a mix of high-end luxury centers, outlet malls, and traditional department store anchors. Understanding the distinct personality of each destination is key to maximizing your time and budget. Some locations are easily accessible via the "L" train, while others require a short drive to the surrounding Chicagoland area. Knowing where to go for a specific brand or a particular dining experience can save you hours of wandering.
The evolution of the shopping mall in Chicago reflects broader national trends in retail and urban development. While some historic vertical malls downtown have struggled, others have reinvented themselves as experiential destinations. You will find spaces that seamlessly blend retail therapy with fine art, gourmet grocery stores, and even amusement parks. This shift toward "retailtainment" means that a trip to the mall is no longer just an errand; it is an event. The best centers in the area have adapted by offering personalized services, exclusive pop-ups, and amenities that cannot be replicated online.
For the luxury shopper, Chicago offers access to some of the most prestigious brands in the world. Flagship stores for designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry are clustered in specific high-end centers, offering white-glove service and exclusive inventory. Conversely, the bargain hunter is equally well-served by a network of outlet malls located just outside the city limits. These centers offer significant discounts on major brands, making Chicago a true fashion destination for every budget. The contrast between the opulent city centers and the value-driven suburban outlets provides a comprehensive retail ecosystem.
Dining is an integral part of the Chicago mall experience. Gone are the days of relying solely on generic food courts. Today, these destinations house outposts of some of the city’s most beloved restaurants, as well as international concepts making their Midwest debut. From gourmet tacos and artisan ramen to steakhouse elegance and decadent dessert bars, the culinary offerings often rival the retail selection. Planning a visit around a meal is a common strategy for locals who want to combine a shopping spree with a night out.
Understanding the layout and transportation logistics is crucial for a stress-free trip. While some malls are located directly within the dense urban core and are walkable from hotels, others are situated near major interstates and offer ample free parking. Public transportation access varies significantly; some locations are steps from a CTA stop, while others are best reached by car or rideshare. We have evaluated accessibility, anchor stores, unique amenities, and overall atmosphere to curate a list of the premier shopping destinations in the region.
Below is a curated guide to the most compelling retail centers in the Chicagoland area. We have focused on locations that offer a distinct reason to visit, whether that is architectural beauty, a rare retail mix, or exceptional dining. This list is designed to help you find the perfect spot for your specific needs, moving beyond the generic directory to explain why each location stands out in a crowded market.
The Shops at North Bridge
| Address | 520 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 222-1622 |
The major retailer is Nordstrom.
It offers charging stations, which is convenient.
The 4th-floor food court has lao sez chuan restaurant.
Me and my boyfriend went to Alice and wonder, Made some customized hats and was greeted/given a nice farewell by the employees there who not only liked our hats but gave us a nice bag to go with it! Would love to come back again and make another hat/get a gift for someone
High dollar goods, only went here to get parking validated with a 10$ purchase. Rude people working near closing, didn't want to help, acted like they didn't know how to validate, wouldn't open changing rooms for my wife.
Many good stores. Easy to navigate. Fun and good for the family.
The Shops at North Bridge is a fantastic shopping destination in the heart of Chicago. It offers an amazing variety of brands for every taste, from exclusive options to well-known stores. The atmosphere is modern, comfortable, and pleasant to walk through. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great shopping experience.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
| Address | 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, IL 60018 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | (847) 928-7500 |
Huge selection of stores. Great prices. Good choices at the food court. I myself went to pick something up for my sister's birthday. Got her a nice bracelet and some shoes. Definitely a good place to shop. It has a little of everything
This was a beautiful mall, although I wouldn't call it outlets. The outlets we are used to on Minnesota and Wisconsin are much cheaper priced. But it was really a nice visit. Lots of big brands woth beautiful merchandise. Paid parking.
This is easily one of the best outlet malls in the Midwest!
I love that the entire mall is completely indoors, which makes shopping super comfortable even during harsh Chicago winters. The store selection is incredible, featuring high-end luxury designer outlets like Gucci and Saint Laurent alongside popular favorites like Nike and Lululemon.
It's located right next to O'Hare Airport, and their baggage concierge service is a lifesaver—you can check your luggage and print boarding passes right here before heading to your flight. Tons of parking and very clean. Highly recommend!
Well wirth the trip. I've seen stores i haven't seen since NY. It's a huge mall with lots to offer and a nice sized food court. Don't forget to get your parking validated at the stores as you shop.
You can buy the parking spot easily because they have green lights for open spaces and all the parking is free. What’s there not to like about the mall because they have food and you can smell like good food while you’re walking through all the stores and there are bathrooms and it’s clean and it’s modern and they have a lot of high-end stores or fun stores as well. It’s a great place to enjoy shopping and take a walk indoors if it’s cold and get great deals because after all, it is an outlet mall.
Water Tower Place
| Address | 835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 440-3580 |
We wanted to visit Water Tower Mall again bringing back memories from its heyday in the early 1980’s. Glad we did! There’s a pretty neat Lego exhibit on the lower level, too, but beware of the aggressive Lavelier boutique salesperson on the upper level - very aggressive sales tactics with poor BBB reviews.
Water Tower Place is one of our favorite stops in Chicago. It’s a classic Michigan Avenue mall with a great mix of shops, and we always make a stop at the LEGO Store. We also love that the The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is right there—it’s one of our favorite hotels in the city, and having great shopping downstairs makes the whole experience even better.
It was a treat to be at residential side of water tower at to top floor 👍🥰👏🏻👌✅
We visited the Lego store in Water Tower Place. It had a small display of Legos outside the store to create a car. The store was busy but full of floor support from staff.
Water Tower Place isn't just a mall; it's a curated collection of the most iconic and sought-after stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues, all housed within a structure that's as much a destination as the attractions it contains. The architecture, both inside and out, is immaculate. The exterior brickwork achieves a perfect balance, with colors that enhance its stunning details.
Stepping inside Water Tower Place is akin to entering a museum or a luxurious Italian structure. The space is divine, massive, and opulent, perfectly complementing downtown Chicago's already sterling reputation.
Whether you're a serious shopper or a casual browser, Water Tower Place offers something for everyone. It’s a place where art, architecture, and commerce converge, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Chicago.
Chicago Ridge Mall
| Address | 444 Ridgeland Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (708) 499-0840 |
Fantastic Chicago Ridge mall. Very nice and clean
May 8th my first time visit
Nothing Bundt cake booth only Friday Sat and Sunday
Very Gracious Staffs, I drop one Bundt cake accident
Shop owner graciously let me keep spill and have new one
When have chance come visit this mall
Highly recommend
Maintenance or janitorial, the red mall racer carts for children and the quarter rides are soon filthy!!!!! Someone needs to keep up with cleanliness on these things.
I have to say this mall took a complete dive over the years. Its just clothes and food. The only place that has any variation is Burlington. But without that, there would be nothing worth while. It used to have all kinds of different stores, like furniture stores, Bric and brac stores, like Hallmark. I dont even know if hallmark is even occupied at this mall anymore. There are a couple stores that have shut down and are still closed down. Not even reopening new stores. Its pathetic really. Thumbs down 👎.
I like this place. A little out of my way but worth it. They have a decent selection of stores. Not too much vacancy which seems to be an issue with other malls. Diverse and not too densely populated. I’ll probably be doing more shopping here.
Very clean mall. I love the variety of stores still located within the mall. I am happy Chicago Ridge Mall is still there seeing as though two South side malls have closed down.
North Riverside Park Mall
| Address | 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (708) 442-1111 |
I really enjoy visiting North Riverside Park Mall. The mall is always clean, bright, and welcoming, and the restrooms are spotless. Everyone is friendly and helpful, especially the security staff, who are always willing to give directions when needed.
It's great to see more stores opening, and the mall feels busier every time I visit. Even though I have to take a few buses from the North Side of Chicago, it's always worth the trip. I enjoy walking around, browsing the stores, and taking in the atmosphere. I always look forward to coming back.
This used to be the mall I visited all the time when I was a kid, so it holds a lot of memories for me 🧸✨. Sadly, these days it feels like just a shadow of what it once was 😔. Many of the spaces seem quieter and less lively than before, which is a bit disappointing.
That said, it’s not all bad 👍. I still enjoy the food court 🍔🍟 and a few of the stores that are open, which gives the place some charm. But overall, it feels pretty empty, especially in the mornings when there are barely any people around 😕. I really wish it could bring back some of its old energy and atmosphere 🙏.
H&M and Steak & Potato are the two spots I continue to visit from time to time. H&M only because sometimes I just don't feel like ordering online. Steak & Potato because I've been eating their steak sandwich since high school. Wow.
The smoke shop is a bunch of scammers, I have bought two pre-rolls and 3 G in a packet that cost it $34, he said they were as big as I felt them and on top of that the three grams should be in there also. I came home and there's two regular pre-rolls in here that cost $4 at any other smoke shop and no grams he scammed me, and when I went back the exact same day to get a refund they said no. I will never go there again and I hope they shut down.
I had a hard time with the complete refusal to just get the buppy-mall sale at underground Journey and the Journey larger store. I was lied to by someone saying she was a manager in underground and then I had a question about how to do my online purchase and how to return an item. The nice guy I bought my UGGs from in the Journey store, he was just sale. This female acted like I was asking about other than the commerce exchange and she was hate same like the another retailer in the underground Journey for just asking about the return policy. She didn't even try to help me buy something at the online tablet in the store. She was looking for DT channel. Watch out! It goes to federal crime to keep the DT channel. But buy from the Nice guy in Journey and leave the large female that hates how he got buppy sales from me alone. Mall commerce, that's It. The mall is buppy commerce and doesn't.
900 North Michigan Shops
| Address | 900 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 915-3916 |
This is one of the coolest vertical malls that we've experienced in a big city. Bloomingdales is the anchor tenant and there are alot of other cool stores in here to visit as well. If you're stay near Michigan Avenue and looking for shopping this is a great spot, especially if the weather is bad.
900 N. is one of the more prestigious addresses in Chicago. Anchored since its inception by Bloomingdale’s, there are many high-end retail outlets here together with an interesting food court, and even some entertainment venues, such as an indoor Topgolf facility. It’s probably my favorite shopping outlet in Chicagoland. Another plus is that the parking garage, unlike many downtown, is spacious and has reasonably wide aisles, which makes it easier to get in and out. I usually park here even if I’m not shopping at the center.
Love this high end urban mall! Tye food court is amazing! The deco interior and music are exceptional.
In this shopping center, special attention has been paid to the needs of customers and they have given great value to customers. I really enjoyed my time there and never felt tired. Rather, I enjoyed watching the architecture and decoration of the shops and its public space.
Loved it, nice compact and mini stores, definitely high-end so it’s not your average, pretty much rotating around Bloomingdale however, it has a lot of nice stuff, for elder people, lots of seating and nice seating areas
Westfield Old Orchard
| Address | 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, IL 60077 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | (847) 673-6800 |
Westfield Old Orchard is one of the most beautiful shopping centers in the Chicago area. I absolutely love its open-air design, which makes shopping feel relaxing and enjoyable. The entire mall is clean, well-maintained, and beautifully landscaped with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
The variety of stores is impressive. Whether you're looking for luxury brands, fashion, home décor, or technology, you'll find it here. Some of my favorite stores include Apple, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Zara, Aritzia, lululemon, Anthropologie, LEGO, Sephora, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, West Elm, J.Crew, Madewell, Free People, Vuori, Alo Yoga, Tory Burch, Coach, and Barnes & Noble. There is truly something for everyone.
The mall also offers great dining and entertainment options, making it a perfect place to spend an entire afternoon. Whether you're shopping, meeting friends for coffee, or simply enjoying a walk, Westfield Old Orchard always feels welcoming and vibrant.
If you're visiting the Chicago area and enjoy shopping, this is definitely a destination worth exploring. Highly recommended!
Okay, so we’re not mall shoppers. We’re mall walkers, mall snackers, and easily entertained by speed runs through “dead” malls with all that liminal eye candy.
But the shopping is never the lure for this thrift-first family. There are malls that work better for us: ones with vintage resale or a discounter like something in the TJMaxx family of stores. And arcades are a fun angle. Old Orchard has an arcade or two (maybe? Does the new Puttshack count? Is there a Dave y Busters? I don’t even know).
We go there to use perfume samples, window shop on a lovely day, and assess what labels and brands we’re liking so we can keep an eye out for them secondhand.
We love walking over here in good weather because when it comes to outdoor atmosphere, Old Orchard doesn’t disappoint: it’s full of landscaped idylls and cozy corners.
I wish we had a “go-to” restaurant we liked here. It’s close enough that on a long walk, it would be perfect place to grab snacks to eat at one of the many inviting al fresco dinettes. But we’re weird on that count, so check other reviews for news regarding the various dining establishments.
Basically this is a lively outdoor mall with free parking, good vibes and a delightful movie theater. Can’t say much else and I’m sorry. It’s a mall
I visited Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie on a sunny weekend—it’s lively, with a relaxed outdoor vibe and plenty of places to sit. The mall is bustling, especially around the Apple and Nordstrom stores, and the landscaping feels inviting. Staff at Apple and T-Mobile were friendly and helpful. Parking was easy and free. The food options range from casual to upscale, but portions seemed reasonable for the prices. A small suggestion: check out the new mini golf—it’s a fun spot for families!
First time here. Really large in door and out door mall. Really nice walking areas and with lots of shops. I really think the koi pond is so pretty. We will be back in the future to shop more.
Very cool outdoor shopping mall. Has tons of wonderful stores. High end shopping available as well as budget friendly. Lots of great options to choose from. Highly recommend visiting if you are in the area. It did not disappoint.
Oakbrook Center
| Address | 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | (630) 686-3444 |
Great mall. Very high end stores but nice open air feel and great food choices. We love coming here and the Barnes and Noble is one of the best I have been to.
Pretty high end stores, and good restaurants to grab lunch. The landscaping is quite nice, with nice flowers. Where this "high end" mall falls way short is the attention to detail. As you walk through the mall, you will quickly see things are pretty run down. The staircase has years of rust coming through, the storefronts have crumbling cement, and many corners have dirt buildup and cobwebs. A true high end mall is spotless!
This review is only in regards the new paid preferred parking. I find it ridiculous to have to pay to park close to the stores I enjoy. Just now (noon on a Tuesday), there are four cars and over 60 empty spaces. Great way to annoy people as they walk past empty spaces.
🛍️ Chicago’s stylish shopping escape! Open-air mall with top brands like Apple, Lululemon & Restoration Hardware, plus cozy cafés and tasty restaurants 🍔☕. Beautiful fountains, wide walkways, and plenty of seating make strolling a joy 🌿✨.
⚠️ Crowded on weekends and some stores are pricey, but perfect for a full-day retail + chill adventure. 👟🛒
Great place to go to part with your money if you have too much lying around and you love and appreciate nice things.
Block 37
| Address | 108 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 261-4700 |
Block 37 is my go-to theater. Mainly because of their comfortable reclining seats. I have not had any bad experiences with Block 37.
Nice shopping mall off of Michigan Ave on state st. Theater has recliner seats with food. You can order directly to your seat. Some empty stores. Larger stores like Zara are in Heer and a VR experience. I’d like to see more stores in the future.
This is a mall with a lot of things in it. It has food, it has stores, it has a virtual reality store to have an experience of seeing things you’ve never seen before, it has the AMC movie theater with the most comfortable seats that recline and you can order food, they also have indoor golf as well as a gym w rock climbing and some residences here. Free bathrooms are here as well and the 2 CTA lines. (blue line and red line) are inside this Block 37 mall as well. So it’s very convenient to get here. You don’t need a car. The parking will be terrible around here so you are better off taking CTA.
Good place to have a walk. Yes I walked here. It’s cool, aesthetic. You can click some pictures here. Nothing fancy or unusual here, just a street in Chicago.
Really nice mall in the heart of downtown. Sleek interior architecture. Although it never seems to be very busy here. Lots of empty space. There's also a state of the art multiplex movie theater on the top floor with a lounge. Great for a night out in the town.
Orland Square
| Address | 288 Orland Square Dr, Orland Park, IL 60462 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (708) 349-1646 |
2-10-26 Visit to Orland Square Mall
OVERALL COMMENTS
- I haven’t been to Orland Square mall in probably a decade, and I was impressed at how nice, clean, and fully occupied the mall was
CLEANLINESS
- The mall was impressively clean!
- nothing in the mall caught my eye as dirty
- the kids play area was also very clean
- no off putting smells
- the smell of “doc popcorn” permeated most of the mall (and I succumbed to buying a large bag for my ride home, and to share with the family)
BATHROOMS
- the bathroom facilities were nice and clean
- family bathroom - there are family bathrooms too
- in the men’s bathroom, 2 of the 3 soap dispensers were out of soap (so there was a line of guys waiting to wash their hands at the one sink with soap), but given how well maintained everything else is, I’d imagine the soap is monitored and filled daily
PARKING
- there is ample parking all around the building
- the parking lots are in good condition
SAFETY
- there were at least 3 security guards patrolling the inside of the mall
- I didn’t notice any suspect characters or groups of ill-behaving youth (although the mall was pretty dead when I was there on a Tuesday evening)
We really like this shopping mall and enjoy going there. The kids especially love the rides and the play area. We had a great time and spent more than three hours there, but it still wasn’t enough for us. This time the price of the ride also pleasantly surprised us — usually we pay $11, but this time we paid only $6. 🌸🌙😊
Excellent mall. Was in the area and dropped in when we realized we were so close. Very happy we did. Great selection of stores and high occupancy throughout. The food court had a wide selection too. Above all it has a great area for kids. Ample play space, a carousel, adjacent Clair's and a candy store make for a happy little one. Will definitely be back.
I took my son and his friends here and we enjoyed ourselves, variety of stores and I was grateful for the security who told my teenagers they needed an adult to chaperone them after hours on the weekends. Nice clean mall with a huge variety of stores, they also have an Apple Store on location.
I recently had an experience at the mall that felt really unfair and frustrating. I was there just hanging out, walking around, and minding my own business when security came up to me and told me I had to leave. When I asked why, they said it was because I was under 18. I wasn’t causing any problems, being loud, or doing anything wrong—I was literally just there like any other customer.
What made it worse was how it felt like I was being judged just because of my age. There were plenty of other people around, and no one else was being questioned or told to leave. It made me feel like I didn’t belong there, even though malls are supposed to be places for everyone. I had plans to shop and maybe get food, but instead I was forced to leave for no real reason other than a rule that didn’t take behavior into account.
It also felt embarrassing to be singled out like that in public. People were walking by and watching, and it made the situation even more uncomfortable. I wasn’t given any warning beforehand or even a chance to explain that I wasn’t doing anything wrong. It just felt like an automatic decision based on a stereotype about teenagers.
Overall, the experience left me annoyed and disappointed. I understand that malls want to keep things safe, but kicking someone out just because they’re under 18, without them doing anything wrong, doesn’t seem fair. A better approach would be to focus on how people are acting instead of assuming the worst based on their age.
My poor grandma—I was at the mall trying to shop for her birthday party when I ended up getting kicked out for being under 18. I wasn’t doing anything wrong at all, just walking around and looking for gifts. In fact, I was actually trying to do something nice for my family, which made the whole situation even more frustrating.
While I was there, security came up to me and told me I had to leave. When I asked why, they said it was because I was under 18. I was confused because I wasn’t causing any problems, being loud, or bothering anyone. I was just there like any other customer, trying to shop. It didn’t feel fair that I was being treated differently just because of my age.
What made it worse was how embarrassing it felt. People were around watching, and I had to leave even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. I didn’t get a warning or a chance to explain myself—it was just an automatic decision. It made me feel like I didn’t belong there, even though malls are supposed to be open to everyone.
The whole experience left me really annoyed and disappointed. I understand that malls want to keep things safe, but kicking someone out just for being under 18, especially when they’re clearly not causing trouble, doesn’t make sense. I was just trying to buy something nice for my grandma, and instead I got treated like I was doing something wrong.
NEWCITY
| Address | 1457 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 248-8569 |
Coco’s integration with Niantic Spatial mapping is incredible. GPS always drifts in my area, but this bot navigated right to my front door with centimeter-level accuracy. Turns out getting Pikachu to run around a park and getting a delivery bot to navigate a busy city street uses the exact same technology! My food arrived piping hot, completely on time, and without a single hitch. Hands down the smartest, most reliable robot delivery out there right now.
Enjoy my time here last week. I checked out the day of the dead statues. The greener is always a stand out as well. I enjoy the shops and the surrounding areas. If ever around north and clybourn check out a block away New City. Must place to visit if in the area. 🧡
We regularly order take out from Tecalitlan and have never had an issue until today when we can no longer park in the roundabout and run in to get our food for literally 2 mins. Parking in the garage took so much more time and the stairwells were all locked. VERY inconvenient. What do uber drivers do? Please get rid of this obnoxious policy. It’s harming businesses and upsets customers.
Multi-Level mall in Chicago a huge number of options for both dining & shopping. They also now have a huge new 14 cinema AMC movie theater with it's own bar & lounge, plus 3-D options. 🎥 🍿
This was so perfect. This was so awesome to have Virginia Rose is a beautiful
addition & we were so happy to had met her today love this area and it reminded me why I love this area and coming here! Happy holidays!
❤️💚🤍
Roosevelt Collection Shops
| Address | 150 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 379-5994 |
I had a terrible experience with parking enforcement at Roosevelt Collection Shops due to their contractor Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS).
I entered the plaza to locate an address and pick up a resident who lives above the shops. I never parked, never left my car, and was simply driving through while trying to find the correct location. Days later, I received a notice claiming I had parked without paying. The only “evidence” provided was entry and exit timestamps from a camera, which proves nothing about actually parking. When I contacted PRRS to explain the situation, I was met with extremely rude and unprofessional behavior from a representative named Jess. Despite repeatedly asking for proof that I had parked, they were unable to provide any. Instead, they insisted that I somehow prove that I did NOT park, which is unreasonable and unacceptable. To make matters worse, when I requested contact information for a manager, my request was ignored. The only response I received was that I needed to pay the charge.
This feels like a predatory and dishonest practice. Based on this experience, I will never return to Roosevelt Collection Shops as long as they continue working with PRRS. I am also filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Illinois Attorney General. I strongly recommend others be cautious when visiting this location.
This is a beautiful Collection of shops tucked away on Roosevelt, offering a charming and relaxed shopping experience just steps from the city’s energy. The iconic (Sears) Willis Tower provides a stunning architectural backdrop, adding to the ambiance as you explore the mix of boutiques and dining spots. Street parking on the main level of the Collection is limited, but the garage offers ample space — and I’ve been able to take advantage of free or discounted parking through validation, which makes the visit even more convenient. Whether you’re shopping, browsing, or dining, it’s definitely worth a visit for an easygoing experience.
A well-maintained shopping center, but be aware that a company called PRRS monitors the roadway with license plate cameras and sends $87 notices claiming unauthorized parking, even to someone like me who stopped briefly to pick up a passenger and never parked at all. The notice asserts that by driving onto the property you have agreed to a binding contract waiving your right to sue in favor of mandatory arbitration, based on a sign you'd have to pull over on the side of the road to read. Their online dispute form requires proof of payment, so I mailed a letter disputing the facts. They dismissed the notice without further explanation. If you receive one of these and genuinely did not park, a mailed letter appears sufficient.
for my birthday, my girlfriend surprised me with opera tickets! i emergency needed a new pair of nice-ish pants so i went to the H&M here and parked in the garage. i had to try on 14 pairs until i found acceptable ones and lost my parking ticket in the shuffle. lost ticket fee is $100 but i persuaded the company to let me pay $15 instead. fine. at least i didn't lose the opera tickets (they're digital). well, it turns out everyone wears jeans to the opera now, but not me and my girlfriend, we looked great.
RCS used to be so much nicer. They have lost their retail presence. The new parking system and costs are ridiculous. I was there 13 min over the 2 hrs free for a dr appointment & it cost $14.69. It was $11.09, $3.39 35.2% tax and $1.69 service fee. Sorry for the remaining businesses.
Riverside Square & River's Edge
| Address | 3145 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | (630) 645-2800 |
Nice place to find food spots like chipotle, BK, Mariano’s and also Wells Fargo bank.
My husband went to the cleaners (Archer Cleaners) to get his pants cleaned and starched and instead they put triple creases on his pants and when he went back they refused to give his money back because they did a crappy job! Never ever again!
Convenient mid-size strip shopping mall on Ashland and 31st for Bridgeport, McKinley Park and neighboring communities. Mariano's, Ace Hardware, Party City, T- Mobile, a gym and several more. 离中国城不远的一个中型综合商业区，Mariano's玛利亚诺杂货店很不错!
Great team Brian n Kiesha River square mngmt .Keep it nice ,clean
I brought some green grapes last night, half of it rotten??!!! Higher priced with terrible quality! I felt cheated by this store again!! They used to cheat on me almost every visit to this store!! When I saw special prices I bought those items but when you were at the checkout they changed me at a regular price?! When I confronted them, they always told me the same lies about their system being wrong??!! So it's the system's fault not them ?! So who makes this system? It's still human beings right?! They acted like a bunch of crooks!
Woodfield Mall
| Address | 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (847) 330-1537 |
One of my favorite places to shop! Every time we went to Chicago always go there. There are so many fun stores, If you like shop Japan or k pop stuff, you can find something there as well and they always have pop-up events happening.
It’s kind of like an all-in-one mall, I could stay there all day!😆💓
Woodfield Mall is one of the largest and most popular shopping destinations in Illinois, located in Schaumburg just outside Chicago. It offers a huge variety of stores, from luxury brands to everyday shopping options, making it a one-stop place for almost everything. The mall is very spacious and clean, with wide walkways and good seating areas. There are many well-known stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Apple, Zara, H&M, and more, so shoppers have plenty of choices. The food court is also a highlight, offering a wide range of fast food and snack options, along with several sit-down restaurants nearby.
This is such an awesome mall they have a great variety of stores here and a few extra ones I have never heard of. The architecture of this mall is magnificent and the foodcourt is a good size. 10/10
Biggest mall in Illinois, it is the best mall in Illinois. Any amazing destination and experience for visitors. It is huge and loaded with stuff
Not too crowded. Plenty of variety shops. Many eating places. But I enjoyed taking fotoes while wife and daughter lost here while shopping.
Chicago Premium Outlets
| Address | 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd, Aurora, IL 60502 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (630) 585-2200 |
Great outlet mall with a wide variety of stores and good deals. The layout is easy to navigate, and there are plenty of options for shopping, dining, and taking breaks in between. The place is clean, well-maintained, and has a nice overall atmosphere. Parking was convenient, which made the visit even better. Definitely a good spot for a shopping day!
We went on a Friday night and were able to find parking with no issues. I would avoid this place on a weekend. There is a nice variety of shopping options but if you're looking for heavy discounts this is not the place for you. The majority of the stores are just basic retail stores you'd see in a mall. The higher end stores and the Nike store have more outlet type merchandise. The food court is really limited but there are some options in the surrounding area to eat. When the weather is right, it's a nice place to walk around and shop.
This outlet has so many stores it’s like going to a huge candy store and they also have stores for candy. They have lots of fast food all over the place and they have many outdoor seating areas and they also have indoor fast food places to enjoy. They have plenty of free parking and you can go here to find almost everything you need for life. It’s a lot of fun here and it’s great for family and friends to enjoy it together and you can find all the stores you like to go to. And to get great deals for.
Nice outdoor mall and has been a good weekend hangout for me and my family. Prices for most things here are reasonable (compared to what they are elsewhere). Bathrooms have always been clean and well air conditioned during the summer. Mall has been very busy lately with the weather being nice and that means having to park further away than usual.
There are super good deals if you look hard enough. Also depends on what you need. I found the things I needed at a very price.
Essential Tips for Navigating Chicago Retail
To make the most of your shopping excursion in the Windy City, it helps to plan ahead and understand the local landscape. Whether you are a tourist trying to fit multiple stops into a weekend or a local looking to avoid the crowds, a little strategy goes a long way. The following advice is curated from local experience and knowledge of the city’s unique retail rhythms, ensuring you can shop efficiently and comfortably.
Check the Tax Rate and Budget Accordingly
Chicago has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the nation. When you purchase goods within the city limits, you will pay a significantly higher percentage than you might in other states or even in the surrounding suburbs. If you are making a large purchase, such as jewelry or electronics, factor this cost into your budget to avoid sticker shock at the register.
Utilize Public Transportation to Avoid Parking Fees
If you are shopping in the downtown core, driving can be a costly and frustrating endeavor. Parking fees at urban malls can exceed twenty dollars for a few hours. The CTA "L" train and bus system provide convenient access to many major shopping corridors. Taking the train not only saves money but also allows you to avoid the heavy traffic congestion that often plagues the city center.
Time Your Visit to Avoid Rush Hour
Traffic in Chicago is notoriously unpredictable, particularly on the expressways leading to suburban malls. If you plan to drive to an outlet or a center outside the city, avoid traveling between 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM on weekdays. Shopping during weekday mornings or early afternoons usually offers a quieter experience and better access to sales staff.
Look for Tourist Savings Passes
Many of the larger shopping centers in the city partner with tourism boards to offer discount booklets or savings passes for out-of-town visitors. Before you shop, check the information desk or the mall’s official website for a "Passport to Shopping" or similar program. These often provide substantial discounts that offset the high local tax rate for tourists.
Plan Your Meals Strategically
Restaurants in popular malls fill up extremely fast during weekend lunch and dinner hours. To avoid waiting in line for a table, try to eat at "off-peak" times, such as a late lunch at 2:00 PM or an early dinner at 5:00 PM. Alternatively, utilize mobile ordering apps if the mall’s food hall offers them, allowing you to skip the queue and maximize your shopping time.
Dress in Layers
The weather in Chicago can change rapidly, and the temperature difference between the freezing lakefront winds and a heated mall interior can be drastic. If you are walking between stores or taking public transit, wear layers that you can easily remove. Carrying a heavy winter coat around a crowded store can quickly become cumbersome and tiring.
The retail scene in Chicago offers a dynamic blend of urban sophistication and Midwestern practicality. Whether you spend your day hunting for high fashion on the Mag Mile or finding a deal at a suburban outlet, the experience is uniquely tied to the character of the city. These malls are not just collections of stores; they are vital social spaces that reflect the architectural ambition and diverse tastes of the region.
As the retail industry continues to evolve, these centers are adapting to offer more than just products. They provide a space for community events, culinary exploration, and entertainment that online shopping cannot replicate. By choosing the right destination for your specific needs, you can turn a simple shopping trip into a memorable part of your Chicago experience.
