Hi Everyone! My name is Rachel, and I am a Marketing Intern for The Magnificent Mile Association. As a college student in the city, I pass through The Magnificent Mile daily; but I hardly have the opportunity to explore the exciting shopping district. Follow my day on the mile to see how a college kid took a stroll to experience the mile!
My first stop was Nike Chicago, and I was ready to be motivated for the day! The amazing Michigan Avenue flagship store is equally inspiring to a yogi, baller, runner, or any individual who appreciates trendy athleisure. Displays feature hundreds of shoes for running natural, fast, or easy. If running isn’t your fancy, casual comfort shoes are also stamped with incredible colors and the timeless Nike swoosh.
For a mid-day sweet tooth fix, I made a stop at Dylan’s Candy Bar. They offer classic candies in countless assortments, from gummy worms to chocolaty delights. Candy enthusiasts (myself included) are encouraged to grab a box or tin in hundreds of styles to personally select the candies that you crave from roundabout displays of rainbow perfection. The brilliantly lit walkways showcase jelly beans, lollipops, and chocolates galore. Dylan’s Candy Bar continues to amaze, inspire, and illuminate the candyland dreams of all who walk through their doors!
For the afternoon, I had an opportunity to visit the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House began in 1974 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating, finding, and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. The house provides a safe, friendly, and community-oriented atmosphere for families whose children are in hospitals across the city. Each space within the house is furnished to feel like home, from cozy couches and television in the family room to a play room with more toys then you could count. This is a social space where every individual is welcome. The house runs efficiently with the help of their incredible volunteers who prepare home-cooked meals, change the light bulbs or even run the front desk for the 66 families that can live in the house. Donations are collected for anything from food to laundry detergent, all products that can be used in the home. The Ronald McDonald House has built an immense hospital community where all feel welcome!
As my last stop of the day, I toured the incredible London House Chicago hotel, which opened just a few months ago. The building has creatively blended portions of the original marble floor, gold doors, and hand-painted ceiling with modern-chic elements. The best feature of the hotel is its incredible view overlooking downtown and its scenery. On a beautiful Chicago night, hotel guests and other city explorers are welcome to enjoy the LH Rooftop Lounge, a signature space of the hotel. City skyscrapers, the Chicago River and the immaculate downtown architecture surround the one-of-a-kind rooftop. London House Chicago is the newest hot spot of the Magnificent Mile!
*Photo Credit: Nicholas James Photography
