To understand why the Magnificent Mile is, well, so "magnificent" it’s necessary to walk up and down this stretch of Michigan Avenue, from the Chicago River on the south end to Lake Shore Drive on the north end. Regardless of what you’ve read or heard, nothing can prepare you for the wealth of exclusive shops, upscale hotels and fine dining. Of course, there are also plenty of tourist attractions, casual eateries, movie theaters and brand name stores. There is something for everyone here and this street may also be one of the best places to people watch in the city.

Some of the places you’ll want to stop and shop or simply browse include three shopping complexes - The Shops at 900 Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place and Chicago Place. Within and nearby these three stops are famous stores including Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Marshall Field’s. Boutiques such as Cartier, Hermés, Giorgio Armani, Tiffany & Co., and others clearly mark this tree-lined street as an exclusive shopping district.

Before you’re weighted down with shopping bags, take the fastest elevators in the world up to the Observatory on the 94th Floor of the John Hancock Center for a lofty view of Chicago and beyond. Learn about this amazing structure and the city itself, before traveling back down to ground level. From here, head south to some of the other tourist attractions along the way.

The Historic Water Tower still stands on Michigan Avenue, where it survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Across the street is the Chicago Water Works pumping station, now open as a visitors center complete with a gift shop full of Chicago souvenirs and Chicago Flat Sammies restaurant.

Near the Chicago River, visit the Wrigley Building. Built from 1920 - 1924 it was meant to draw businesses over the newly built Michigan Avenue Bridge (1913) to the north side of the river. Across the street, the Chicago Tribune Building was built from 1922 - 1925 as the result of an architectural contest held by the owners of the Tribune. Its Gothic architecture was modeled after the Tour deBuerre in Rouen, France. As you walk along the outside of the building you’ll notice stones embedded in the facade from famous buildings around the world. Pieces of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and the Cathedral of Notre Dame are just a few of the many pieces, given as gifts to the Tribune’s publisher.

More than 22 million visitors walk the Magnificent Mile each year, and this part of Michigan Avenue is always bustling with activity. The street is festively dressed with twinkling lights in the winter and medians full of colorful flowers in the summer. Throughout the year, street musicians perform on corners, and horse-drawn carriages line up to take passengers on a unique tour of the area.

No matter when you visit Chicago, this is one part of the city you won’t want to miss. For more information on The Magnificent Mile, contact the Chicago Office of Tourism at 800-2-CONNECT.