Going to chicago on friday

Hey guys, Friday I will be taking a day-trip to Chicago. I live about two hours away, and plan to arrive at 1 0 PM and stay until around 9 0. I will be going with a girl (a friend, though we are both single and have dated in the past...I guess you could say I like her). Anyway, I have been to Chicago several times in the past but usually I've been there on a strict shopping trip (hey, that is what's important, right?). I will be on Michigan Avenue and State St. only. Remember, before you make suggestions, I am a student on a rather small budget. What do you recommend for shopping? I plan on stopping at the Filene's Basement, H&M, the huge Marshall Field's, possibly Sak's, Barney's and Neiman Marcus. I am a little intimidated to go into the latter three, given my age. Anyone know if good sales will be taking place? Any other sights to see on Michigan Ave. or State St? The museums, planetarium, and aquarium are amazing but will have to wait for another trip. Last, her birthday was last week and I'd like to take her somewhere for dinner. Can anyone recommend a nice restaurant - romantic yet affordable - that I could go to without too long of a wait? I'd spend maybe $50 total, and no alcohol. Remember, I'm going to park my car so we'll be on foot the whole day, the restaurant has to be in walking distance. Thanks.

Check the archives for my last trip to Chicago.  I think the recommendations were spot on for the most part, even though I think the extra $30-40 on dinner would be well worth it... (should be in the lifestyle section).

I was personally disappointed in the Marshall Field's store.  It seemed like a step down from Bloomingdale's with a comparable amount of selection.  The Mich Ave. Barney's, NM, and Paul Stuart are all worth checking out, simply for browsing purposes.  The help at Stuart was markedly better than the pompous garbage I've grown accustomed to in New York.  Extra brownie points to the clerk in Barney's who complemented my tweedy brown sportcoat--little did he know that I bought it on Ebay for $50 NWT (Calvin Klein Collection).

If its sunny why not just take a stroll down LSD before dinner?  Its free and awfully nice in the early summer...

I took a trip to Chicago in January. I posted similar questions in the lifestyle section as well. There were quite a few replies. Check out the archives before they are deleated.

Both Saks and NM are having sales this week in Mich Ave location (as is Brooks Brothers).  With respect to Marshall Fields, their Mich store is very disappointing, but their original State Street store is more impressive.  At the top of Mich Ave, Oak Street is definitely worth some window shopping (Tod's, Prada, Barneys, George Greene, etc).

Edit: As for convenient restaurants: Volare (under Michigan Ave) and Cafe Spiaggia (at top of Mich) are my recommendations.

Barneys is having its summer sale. I would check the Oak St store out for sure. The discounts get better in July, but the selection is more limited.

As mentioned Saks Act One sale has already started. . NM First Call sale officially starts tomorrow. Expect to save around 30%-40% at both stores. I'd skip the great Nordstrom there this trip as the Half Yearly men's sale starts later this month (but if your lady friend is interested, the Women's half yearly sale will be underway when you get there). Marshall Field's usually has an excellent sale rack, I think Field's gets lost in the clutter sometimes.

Almost all the boutiques are in the midst of their first summer markdowns. This goes for most cities. Prada, Gucci, YSL, Burberry, etc.

Davis for Men (both locations) and Mark Shale are options if you have time, but can be pricey. Filene's Basement always has hidden treasures, but it can take some time to dig.

One of the magazines (either Cargo or Details) did a feature on what to do, where to shop, eat in Chicago and Atlanta this month. I'd recommend that you pick it up and then cross-check the listings to Chicago Citysearch to get a vibe of the places they recommend since your time is limited.

Kevin restaurant gets my nod, I eat there whenever I am in town. The food and service is excellent. I had dinner at mk last time and it was pretty good and not insanely priced (business dinner though, but nice enough spot to take a lady).

Enjoy.

Davis for Men (both locations)

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Now Davis only has the North Avenue location. The 900 N. Michigan location was moved to Water Tower Place, but apparently it wasn't working out...

Thanks for all of the replies. I might stop in Sak's, NM, and Barney's just to check on what they have, but I'll probably hold off on buying anything until the end of July.

I'll definitely stop by the Marshall Field's on State St. - they always have excellent clearance racks. Last time I was there, they had full racks of $130 Earl Jeans for $30 and $150 G-Star jeans for $40, plus tons of other good buys.

The girl I'm going with wears mostly American Eagle clothing, so I won't spend too much time in the expensive stores. I'll introduce her to H&M, Filene's Basement, and a few other stores to keep her from being bored.

And also, I'll be looking for an interview suit while I'm down there. I won't need one for at least a year, but I'm going to keep my eye out for a good deal. I'll try both Filene's, as well as the Off Fifth (Sak's outlet) that's on the way down to Chicago. I'm looking for a 3-button charcoal gray with flat-front pants or single-pleat pants. I'd like something canvased - perhaps Corneliani or Canali? I have a slim build, 39 or 40R with a 31 waist. Any suggestions for labels to look for?

(I have a Jil Sander suit in navy blue, the cut is slim and perfect and it's fully canvased as well. However, it's more of a 'fashion' suit - i.e. slim fitting, no 'pocket-square pocket', etc)

highly recommend you get this girl some chocolates at Vosges in the building Nordstrom is in (a really nice nordstrom, actually).

I always stop in Neiman Marcus downtown, but it really isn't that impressive-- Paul Stuart is always more fun, and upstairs has a huge sale section in the back.

highly recommend you get this girl some chocolates at Vosges in the building Nordstrom is in (a really nice nordstrom, actually).

I always stop in Neiman Marcus downtown, but it really isn't that impressive-- Paul Stuart is always more fun, and upstairs has a huge sale section in the back.

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I haven't been in the Paul Stuart store, but the window displays are always interesting. Seems to be more traditional English suits, shirts, and sportswear. Is there anything appropriate for a 20 year old guy to wear?

versace, when you stop in at paul stuart, be sure to check out the shoes. they're beautiful pieces by a firm called grenson. they're somewhat pricey, but definitely worth buying at a discount. given the time of year, i suspect that they'll be on sale any day now.

one thing to note about both the chicago and nyc paul stuart stores is that the ratio of salesmen to customers is very high. consequently, you'll have a salesman hovering about during your visit. if you're lucky, he'll be one of the well-informed, stylish ones. if you're unlucky, well, you get the picture.

versace, when you stop in at paul stuart, be sure to check out the shoes.  they're beautiful pieces by a firm called grenson.  they're somewhat pricey, but definitely worth buying at a discount.  given the time of year, i suspect that they'll be on sale any day now.  

one thing to note about both the chicago and nyc paul stuart stores is that the ratio of salesmen to customers is very high.  consequently, you'll have a salesman hovering about during your visit.  if you're lucky, he'll be one of the well-informed, stylish ones.  if you're unlucky, well, you get the picture.

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I'll be sure to check out the shoes - I've heard very good things about the quality of Grenson. Whenever I go down to Chicago, I always park in the Hancock Center parking structure - lucky for me, the Paul Stuart store is located on the first floor of the same building.

I park there too. At least $20 every time- pretty pricey.

You can save some money probably by parking further off Michigan Avenue and walking a block or two. Near the medical school maybe? I used to live at North Pier Apartment Tower, so I would just walk up from there. I miss Chicago.

how ironic - i live in North Pier currently...