Water Tower Place

Water Tower Place is one of the most prominent malls that anchors The Magnificent Mile. This stretch of lustrous shopping in downtown Chicago features many of the world’s leading retail stores that cater to affluent shoppers and tourists. Water Tower Place features more than 100 stores and dining options, including popular destinations like American Girl Place and Macy’s. The best part is the skyscraper, which features an eight-level atrium as one of Chicago’s premiere architectural landmarks.

The Water Tower Place Neighborhood

Water Tower Place is located in the heart of Magnificent Mile, which is located on Michigan Avenue, adjacent to downtown Chicago between the Loop’s business district and the Gold Coast. In fact, Water Tower Place is credited with influencing the shift to the area as a shopping destination from State Street.

When Water Tower Place was built in 1975, the area was mostly full of high-end hotels, designer retailers, and luxury apartments. With its 100-plus retail stores spanning luxury shopping to attainable options (like Macy’s and American Girl Place), Water Tower Place has a little something for everything.

In fact, you can stay in the Ritz-Carlton hotel directly in Water Tower Place. The building also features an office building and condominiums. Upscale dining options abound as well, including staples like Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch, Wildberry Pancakes and the Rooftop at Torali (in the Ritz).

There is plenty do nearby including the Chicago Sports Museum on Level 7, 360 Chicago Viewing Deck, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Crime Tours. See original shows at the Lookingglass Theatre or a Broadway show at the Broadway Playhouse.

The Water Tower Place Shops

Water Tower Place is unique in that it only has two anchor stores. The first is Macy’s, formerly a branch of the renowned Marshall Field’s. Located right on the Michigan Avenue entrance, this legendary department store has the best in jewelry, apparel, cosmetics, and home furnishings. It’s also home to the Macy’s Taste Bar Café.

The other anchor store is American Girl Place. The unique retail experience combines shopping for American Girl Dolls and accessories with a plethora of activations for children and their American Girl Dolls. Children can enjoy doll hairstyling, ear piercing, girl and doll manicures, and a deluxe spa package. There is also an array of care and repair services, personal shopping perks, and special events throughout the year. Make a day of it and enjoy brunch, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner at the on-sight dining area, complete with food for girls and grown-ups alike.

The mall boasts an additional 100-some shops, spanning popular children’s stores to adult apparel, sports and wellness, and electronics and entertainment. Shop favorites like Abercrombie & Fitch, Aéropostale, and American Eagle. For footwear, stop into Aldo, Adidas, Ecco, Finish Line, Johnston & Murphy, and The Walking Company. Designer offerings span Free People, Oakley, Eileen Fisher, and Vera Bradley. Overall, shopping options are not over-the-top luxury, with entry-level options for women including White House Black Market, J. Jill, Express, and Forever 21.

Aveda, Bath & Body Works, and The Body Shop are among the popular beauty and wellness outposts. You’ll stumble across other unique experiences at the mall as well, like The Art of Dr. Seuss. At this unique location, witness the imaginative mind of the renowned children’s author and illustrator. Plus, you can enjoy a rare opportunity to own work directly from the Art of Dr. Seuss Collection.

Need to take a break for a bit? Water Tower Place has two sit-down restaurants: Mity Nice Bar & Grill and Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch. Plus, there are an array of fast-casual restaurants like Fusion Poke and Wow Bao and to-go staples including Starbucks and Do-Rite Donuts.

You can really make a whole day at Water Tower Place. After an afternoon of shopping and an evening dinner, head into the building’s Broadway Playhouse to catch a live show. Today, this venue has about 550 seats to accommodate audiences for the city’s best touring Broadway acts, managed by Broadway In Chicago. 

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