Macy's

Macy's department store took over Chicago's historic Marshall Field's emporium on Sept. 9, 2006. Macy's was founded in 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy. With its new acquisitions opening this September, the New York retailer will have more than 800 stores in 45 states. Offerings include men's and women's casual and designer apparel, jewelry, perfume, shoes, housewares, bedding, appliances, handbags and more.

Opened in 1907, this emporium has always been one of Chicago's most elegant shopping environments. The store's northern courtyard, with its multi-storied colonnade and a skylight, is a dead ringer for an Italian palazzo. The southern courtyard is capped by a dazzling Tiffany mosaic. A third courtyard, in the middle of the building, is a modern design with criss-crossing escalator banks and a working fountain. Past the perfume and jewelry counters on the first floor, you'll find just about everything you'll need to outfit your body and home--casual and designer clothing, shoes, furniture, appliances, linens and fancy foods. Although worth the trip any time of year, you really haven't done justice to the State Street location until you've mingled with the crowds during the height of the Christmas season. The windows are decorated with elaborate animated scenes along the length of State Street. Inside, the halls are decked with festive holiday trimmings. For a break from shopping, head to the wood-paneled Walnut Room. Lunch, including old-fashioned chicken pot pie, is served there beneath an enormous Christmas tree--it's a Chicago tradition, as is the long, long wait for a table "under" the tree. (A tip: You can see the tree just fine from anywhere in the room.)

The store also has a visitor's center on the seventh floor that offers a complimentary self-guided audio tour detailing the life of Marshall Field through photographs and artifacts.

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Loop stores, Chicago stores, Chicago stores