State Street

Category: Shopping

State Street is Chicago's "main street," located in the very heart of the city. For 165 years, it's been the unparalleled retail and entertainment hub of the Midwest. The 1922 hit song "Chicago" gave the street its famous nickname: "That Great Street," where they do things they don't do on Broadway!

Historic anchors Marshall Field and Carson Pirie Scott have been through the ups and downs of State Street. After a slump in the 1970's, State Street was closed to automobiles and the sidewalks were widened in an effort to revitalize the area. The plan was not successful, but now that State Street is again open to automobile traffic and has a multi-million dollar facelift, the businesses are again thriving.

State Street is not only a shopping, dining and entertainment attraction, but also an historical walking tour. Points of interest include the Chicago Theater, Marshall Field’s at Randolph and State, the Reliance Building at 32 N. State, the Chicago Building at State and Madison, the Harold Washington Public Library at State and Congress, and more.

Dining in the greater State Street area has as much history as its architecture with such favorites as the Walnut Room in Marshall Field's, which was originally the first department store tea room; Berghoff Restaurant, a long-time popular German establishment; Trader Vic's in the Palmer House Hilton; and Billy Goat Tavern, known for its cheeseburgers.