Location: Downtown / The Loop
Top Things to do in Downtown / The Loop
Things to do in Chicago, Illinois (IL): The Best Gift & Specialty Shops
The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago
1. Iwan Reis Cigars & Tobacco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
2. Peter Field
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Men's clothing alterations and accessories.
3. Prudential Gem and Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
4. The Glass Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Please note LH Selman is currently open by appointment only. Please get in touch if you would like to schedule a time to come by the gallery. Welcome to L.H. Selman Ltd., a name that has been synonymous with the finest antique and contemporary paperweights for over 40 years. As the country's premier dealer in fine art glass paperweights our mission is to promote the very best by exhibiting and selling through our gallery and at auction the finest examples made in centuries past, and by nurturing new talent emerging from contemporary independent studios.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
My wife and I recently purchased a fine glass antique paperweight from L.H. Selman Ltd. in Chicago to serve as a centerpiece for our extensive Civil War collection of rare and first-edition books, manuscripts, autographs, paintings and artifacts. Until we visited the Selman gallery and museum at 410 South Michigan Avenue, in the historic Fine Arts Building, overlooking Millennium Park and Grant Park and the nearby Art Institute of Chicago, we didn't have any knowledge about paperweights. In less than two hours, we received a thorough education. Selman is a name that has been synonymous with the finest antique and contemporary paperweights for over 40 years. It is the premier dealer in fine art glass paperweights in the United States and its mission is to promote the very best by exhibiting and selling through its gallery and at auction the finest examples made in past centuries and by nurturing new talent emerging from independent studios. It's a fascinating adventure, viewing the largest collection of antique and contemporary paperweights in the world. After it's over, you understand that a paperweight isn't a simple desk accessory. The origin of glass paperweights can be traced to France in 1845, when glass factories such as Baccarat, Saint Louis and Clichy were competing to create the world's finest crystal luxury items, including water sets, tableware and inkwells, then paperweights. Collectors range from kings and American presidents to writers and investors to Truman Capote and Arthur Rubloff. L.H. Selman was introduced to paperweights in the mid-1960s. He began collecting them, started a small mail order business, created a publishing company to distribute information about paperweights, then founded the International Paperweight Society and Museum on South Michigan Avenue. In 2001, he was named "one of the Top Ten People of the 20th Century" to influence the paperweight art form. In 2009, he sold his business to Mitch and Ben Clark. They picked up the torch--or the paperweight--and the Chicago art scene remains in sterling condition.
5. Merz Downtown
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Merz Downtown is the 2nd location of the 142-year-old Merz Apothecary. Situated in the beautiful and historical Palmer House hotel, we carry thousands of health + beauty products from around the world. With special emphasis on hard-to-find, natural, european, and traditional solutions, you're sure to find something special to take home for yourself or as a gift. Our expert staff is always available to help you find the perfect item to feel better, look better, or smell better.
Reviewed By lindsinic - Carmel, United States
Really loved this shop. Was looking for some natural ingredients to make some skincare products at home. Spent so much time just looking around, though, because there were so many brands you won’t find in your typical store. Would certainly return when visiting Chicago next. Would be a great place to put a gift basket together with skincare, either for a male or female.
6. Fannie May
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Truth be told, this was my first visit to the Fannie May store at 343 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, at the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue, across the street from the Michigan Avenue Bridge, since the COVID-19 lockdown began a year ago. My wife is addictive to Fannie May's dark chocolate mays so I stopped by to purchase two one-pound boxes of her favorite confection. I'm on a diet, imposed by adding 10 pounds while sitting around and doing nothing for the last 12 months, so I dutifully and regretfully opted to pass up on my usual order, a one-pound box of my favorites, two of each...pixies, Trinidads, chocolate creams, pineapple creams, raspberry creams, lemon creams, vanilla creams, orange creams, strawberry creams, mocha creams. The store is a chocolate lover's delight. And there are other tasty treats to behold, including ice cream, scones, chocolate tarts and blueberry muffins. Since the lockdown--Fannie May was even closed for a time--my wife had to endure another chocolate treat, which she found very satisfying. But when she tasted her first dark chocolate mays in nearly a year...well, she had to admit that there is nothing, repeat nothing, that compares to the Fannie May chocolate. They are one of a kind.
7. Graham Cracker Comics
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By ramivic - Chicago, United States
Hands down! Chicago's best comic shop!!! I have been a fellow comic collector for over 36 years and 30 of those years have been with Graham Crackers Comics in Naperville and my home base, the Chicago Loop location. Convenient, friendly and always have enough books - if they are out of an issue - they will do their best on tracking you a copy! I love this comic shop!!!! Earl, Kirk and the rest of the gang are very helpful and knowledgeable. Good selection, old and new comics, toys and collectibles. Single issues and graphic novels. But we love the experience of going to the comic books store - reminds you of the days of visiting the corner comic book store. We will be back - especially for my fix of My Little Pony comics and Batman!
8. Blackhawks Store
9. The Dial Bookshop
10. Afrocentric Bookstore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
