A Guide To Shopping In Illinois For The First Time Travelers

Illinois is a world-famous destination for a perfect family or friends’ getaway. This American state is brimming with main streets’ eclectic boutiques, charming small towns, beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, delicious food, and much more!

If it is your first trip to the Midwest, you may have included retail shopping in your to-do list. If you haven’t, you should! From chic fashion houses, budget-friendly outlet stores to the best shopping malls in Illinois, there is something for everyone.

No matter you prefer malls, boutiques, or street shopping, Illinois will accommodate your shopping desires. Read our guide to know where to shop in Illinois!

The Fashion Outlets And Mega malls

If you are looking for discounts on your favorite brands and want to enjoy shopping and dining, all under one roof, search online for shopping malls near you in Illinois.

Woodfield Mall is the biggest of all the shopping malls in Illinois, spreading over two million square feet of space. The mall houses more than 300 stores, including renowned brands, like JCPenney, Nordstrom, the nation’s largest Sears store, etc.

There is an entertainment district in the south of the mall that offers numerous streetside shopping and dining options. Here, you will find several attractions that aren’t present in an ordinary mall.

If you want to bag big discounts on designer brands, visit Chicago’s fashion outlets. This shopping destination is located just 15 miles from Downtown Chicago and features the best designer brands, like Prada, Armani, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, Burberry, Chico’s, and many more.

Chicago Premium Outlets is another option for shoppers for an outdoor shopping experience. Do you want to have a megamall experience? Visit Gurnee Mills, a Z-shaped shopping complex featuring H&M, Marshall, Sears, and Forever 21 stores.

Shop In The Streets Of Chicago

There are endless shopping opportunities in Chicago! Start from the famous Magnificent Mile, a thirteen-block Michigan Avenue, which is also known as the shoppers’ paradise. You can find everything from malls to luxury boutiques and brands.

Explore State Street that houses one of the largest departmental stores in the world, Macy’s. Some highlights of this shopping spot are a three-tier fountain in the atrium, Sentinels of State Street clocks, and a Tiffany ceiling. In addition, you can shop for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, etc.

Maxwell Street Market offers a great combination of food and shopping in Chicago. From CDs, toys, tools, tyres, to clothing and food options, you can find bug bargains on almost everything. Oak Street, right adjacent to the Magnificent Mile, is another street shopping option that houses luxury brands, salons, etc.

Flea Markets, Antiques, or Stores

Illinois offers hundreds of options for shoppers with a taste for flea markets or antiques. Besides, almost every main street boasts second-hand stores worth exploring. In fact, some Illinois cities have districts dedicated to antiques or souvenirs.

Downtown Alton has a cluster of specialty shops, antiques. From potato chip tins, vintage furs, croquet balls to license plates, you can find anything or everything at J&P’s Edelweiss or Steve’s antiques.

Wolff’s Flea Market is the best market you can reach easily from Chicago. You can shop for clothes, antiques, vintage or collectibles there. But, the market runs on Sunday only, from April to October.

Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles is also worth visiting. The market runs from May to December and hosts hundreds of stalls. You can find an amazing variety of goods ranging from handcrafted jewelry to books.

There is a lot more to explore in Illinois! Wherever you are in the state, search for a shopping mall near Illinois that caters to your needs best. Add the shopping destinations mentioned above to your list, and plan a trip there.