Chicago/North Michigan Ave and Streeterville

Introduction

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North Michigan Ave, also known as the magnificent mile, and the Streeterville area has an interesting history. After the Chicago Fire of 1871 something had to be done with all the rubble. So most of it was just pushed into the lake just east of North Michigan Ave, although people had been dumbing into that area of the lake north of the river since 1834 because a 1,500 foot (457 m) pier was built there. Between the trash and natural dirt collecting, the area because a weird mix of sand bars and marshlands called "The Sands."

The area was ignored by the city because in 1821 a government property survey delineated the Chicago municipal boundary as the lake shoreline. In the late 1880s George Streeter, an American Civil War veteran, claimed that his boat collided with a sandbar off the Chicago shoreline during a storm. Streeter and his wife made the boat their new home and encouraged more dumping in the area. Within a few years the whole area actually became 186 acres (0.75 km²) of solid land!

Streeter claimed the area as his own and named it the District of Lake Michigan. The city government knowing the value of this land eventually, after many eviction attempts and gun battles, put Streeter in jail. In 1918 the courts invalidated his claims of sovereignty and the area has been part of Chicago ever since. Within a few years after the court desicision the area became one of the wealthiest areas of the cities and continues to be that way to this day!

North Michigan Ave and Streeterville became the center of high end shopping in Chicago and in recent years has become a trendy area to live in. Also the neighboring area of River North is becoming a trendy area. No trip to Chicago is complete with out a few hours on the Magnificent Mile.

Sights and Activities

• The John Hancock Building is one of the tallest buildings in Chicago and located on the north end of North Michigan Avenue. The observation deck offers great views of the city, some even argue better views than The Sears Tower. If looking to getting around paying the entrance fee to the observation deck it is possible to go to the Signature Room, which is bar on the floor below. The cost of one drink is cheaper than the ticket to the observation deck.

• Navy Pier was once an industrial pier and is now one of the most popular tourist sights in Chicago. This long pier juts out into Lake Michigan and is home to several shops, restaurants, bars and an amazing ferris wheel! There are weekly fireworks on Saturday and Wednesday. Navy Pier comes off of the east terminus of Grand

Eat

Pizza

• Gino's East is located at 633 N. Wells St. and has many other locations throughout the city in suburbs. (Hint - in Chicago, never expect the cheese to be on top of the pie.) Gino's first opened in the late 60s and has remained in the forefront throughout the decades. Reservations are not required but highly recommended as wait time for a table can be up to 2 hours on weekends.

• Pizzeria Uno is located at 29 E. Ohio Street and is one of the original deep dish pizza places in Chicago. This is the original Pizzeria Uno and can be extremely crowded. Therefore you can walk around the corner to their sister restaurant Pizzeria Due located at 619 N. Wabash.

Other Places To Eat

• Al's Italian Beef is one of the most famous Italian Beef restaurants in Chicago. With two locations in the city, one on Taylor and the other on Ontario, this place can give you a dipped sandwich with hot peppers that will make your heart stop.

Sleep

Upscale

• The Drake Hotel is one of the finest hotels in the world and is located just off of North Michigan Av. The Drake was built in 1920 and housed some of the wealthiest people in the world including presidents and royalty from many generations. Address: 140 E. Walton Place, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Phone: 312-787-2200 or toll free at: 800-553-7253. Visit their website or book now.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

The US Postal Service is very good and well priced mail system. There are post offices in every small and large town for sending packages internationally or domestically. If wanting to send a letter or postcard it is best just to leave it in a blue mail box with the proper postage. There are also private postal services like FedEx, UPS and DHL.