Water Tower Place
Water Tower Place
4.5
11:00 - 19:00
Monday
11:00 - 19:00
Tuesday
11:00 - 19:00
Wednesday
11:00 - 19:00
Thursday
11:00 - 19:00
Friday
11:00 - 20:00
Saturday
11:00 - 20:00
Sunday
00:00 - 18:00
About
Where downtown Chicago comes to life. At the pinnacle of Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place is Chicago's premier shopping destination. Its stunning seven-level atrium features more than 60 of your favorite stores and restaurants plus a mix of distinctive specialty shops and boutiques. It offers a unique, high-energy urban shopping experience you simply won't find anywhere else in the city. In short, Water Tower Place is the place to shop.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Near North Side
How to get there
- Chicago • 5 min walk
- Grand • 10 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
799 reviews
Excellent
365
Very good
298
Average
120
Poor
8
Terrible
8
Vacation37039941367
2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This place was great to stop in and have a drink and get a bite to eat. There is plenty of TV’s to watch a game if u are there for a Saturday afternoon to watch a game.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherri Gool
Austin, TX97 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We went to lunch and then did the Harry Potter magic at play experience. The butterbeer was phenomenal. Harry Carey’s was cute.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Kim
London, Canada99 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
This place just isn’t what it was in the old days. I remember seeing how there would be massive department stores here - those have mostly closed now thanks to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are still some stores here such as American Girl and a food court, but there’s more fun places on the Magnificent Mile than here.
Stop by here if you want but I wouldn’t spend too long in here. There’s a lot more to do in Downtown Chicago than checking out this place.
Stop by here if you want but I wouldn’t spend too long in here. There’s a lot more to do in Downtown Chicago than checking out this place.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,127 contributions
May 2023
Water Tower Place is a good shopping complex on N. Michigan Ave. named after the historic Water Tower located just across the street. The mall has over 70 retail shops, eateries and restaurants including the Harey Carey Seventh Inning Stretch and Chicago Sports Museum on the 8th floor.
Water Tower makes for a good contribution to the shopping, dining and entertainment scene on the Magnificent Mile. See the mall website for list of businesses that can be found here as well as their respective opening hours.
Water Tower makes for a good contribution to the shopping, dining and entertainment scene on the Magnificent Mile. See the mall website for list of businesses that can be found here as well as their respective opening hours.
Written 19 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason S
Reedsburg, WI711 contributions
Apr 2023
We went here because my son knew they had a Lego store. It has a lot of floors of shops, but for the most part, many of them are not all that interesting. We did make a purchase at the Lego store, so for my son it was worth going to.
Overall, a decent mall in the middle of the city
Overall, a decent mall in the middle of the city
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark H
Fond du Lac, WI2,990 contributions
Dec 2022
It's busy vertical mall with lots of chain stores & large food court during early the early December Saturday we visited. It's filled with families checking out the Lego store and the Harry Potter store.
Restrooms are clean.
Retail therapy isn't my thing, but others may enjoy this.
Restrooms are clean.
Retail therapy isn't my thing, but others may enjoy this.
Written 3 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cody K
Mora, MN153 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Very cool mall. I love the vibes and aesthetic of the building. Fun stores, lots to do throughout the building. I loved the water fall entrance.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irina
United States10,611 contributions
Jul 2022
It's not easy to evaluate Water Tower Place now, since the flagship store Macy's closed their business in the mall in Spring 2021. That was a heavy blow to the mall.
The mall is there -- the looks are different. Not only Macy's gone by now -- dozens of other shops, restaurants, cafes, etc are no longer in Water Tower Place. Once a vibrant, always busy, always attractive and famous mall on N Michigan Avenue looks ... empty and abandoned? Not quite.
Some old stores are still there (Adidas, Lacoste, Aeropostale, Express, Eileen Fisher, Pink, Victoria's Secret, Lego, and others), some new ones open their doors to customers, pop-ups are emerging -- food stands, kiosks, etc. I visited the mall at the end of July -- and was somewhat saddened by what I saw. The glass elevator in the center of the atrium now goes from the Mezzanine (Level M) up to the top Level 7, with no stops in between. That probably says something.
However, I did visit American Girl Place -- the store works just fine, but wasn't too busy, then I had a very nice lunch at Harry Caray's 7th Inning restaurant, and also visited a modern Sports Museum near the restaurant. Those were very good and memorable experiences.
Water Tower Place has been in successful business since 1976, it was very popular with public, now the mall faces big uncertainties and significant challenges in its future business.
The mall is there -- the looks are different. Not only Macy's gone by now -- dozens of other shops, restaurants, cafes, etc are no longer in Water Tower Place. Once a vibrant, always busy, always attractive and famous mall on N Michigan Avenue looks ... empty and abandoned? Not quite.
Some old stores are still there (Adidas, Lacoste, Aeropostale, Express, Eileen Fisher, Pink, Victoria's Secret, Lego, and others), some new ones open their doors to customers, pop-ups are emerging -- food stands, kiosks, etc. I visited the mall at the end of July -- and was somewhat saddened by what I saw. The glass elevator in the center of the atrium now goes from the Mezzanine (Level M) up to the top Level 7, with no stops in between. That probably says something.
However, I did visit American Girl Place -- the store works just fine, but wasn't too busy, then I had a very nice lunch at Harry Caray's 7th Inning restaurant, and also visited a modern Sports Museum near the restaurant. Those were very good and memorable experiences.
Water Tower Place has been in successful business since 1976, it was very popular with public, now the mall faces big uncertainties and significant challenges in its future business.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassie Chichester
Richmond, VA1,838 contributions
Sep 2021
This mall has so much potential - in a great city with lots of shoppers. It felt like a ghost town. We went inside the lego store and a few other clothing spots but I'd love to see this mall flourish. There's also a Jojo's milkbar inside for a treat. But they're not full service - you can just get milkshakes and I think a few small snacks.
I think we're seeing a decline in the inside malls in general (online shopping ugh).
I think we're seeing a decline in the inside malls in general (online shopping ugh).
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie J
woking41 contributions
May 2022
Waste of time, loads of empty stores, very disappointed, only good store is Bath and Body Works and that was the only reason for going
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
palos
Chicago Southland, IL46 contributions
What to do after a late show at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place? We are seeing a show in early December at 7:30pm. We plan on taking train in to Union Station. Is it safe to walk back to train station at 10:00pm or better to take a taxi? Are taxi's readily available that time of night (it will be a Tues. night). We would have almost 2 hours time between when show lets out and our train leaves. I would love to stop someplace for a drink or light snack, but am worried about walking around that time of night ….. we are two women in our 60's.
Debbie
Chicago41 contributions
Safety these days is an issue almost everywhere. Some of the city’s aggressive homeless panhandlers can be intimidating to those who are not used to it. Yes there are thieves that walk the city streets day and night. To answer your questions- I do take the trains and walk that path late to catch the 12:30 am train Bach to the burbs. So do my adult children when they come into town. We do not take Wacker, We take Michigan to Adams. It’s a bit longer but better patrolled. I am not afraid. I am however vigilant and we all carry pepper spray. Uber and taxis are pretty cheap that short of a distance. Do what make you feel more secure so you can be comfortable and enjoy every part of your trip to the city😊
cindyj0320
Hudsonville, MI9 contributions
Where's the best place to get a cab at water tower mall
Barbara W
Woodridge, IL256 contributions
Anywhere around the building
Allyson O
Port Washington, WI
Where is the best place for high tea December 6th. We are shopping in the the tower but thought we could enjoy a special experience too.
Thank you for any suggestions that are close by.
Allyson
cindyj0320
Hudsonville, MI9 contributions
Best place to get a cab at water tower mall
Allyson O
Port Washington, WI
Where is the best place for high tea December 6th. We are shopping in the the tower but thought we could enjoy a special experience too.
Thank you for any suggestions that are close by.
Allyson
Luke D
Chicago, IL8 contributions
And there is another place called the Allis they have High Tea also!!
soderlas
Crystal Lake, IL30 contributions
What restaurants??
Musicmaster
Minneapolis, MN157 contributions
Harry Caray's is a vintage baseball, semi-hokey mini museum with pretty good food for this tourist trap within what was once a destination mall.
soderlas
Crystal Lake, IL30 contributions
What restaurants are in Water tower??
The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, AZ166,281 contributions
Harry Caray’s
Freshii
Mity Nice Bar & Grill
M Burger
Are some.
Good luck,
Hunt
drcltd
North Redington Beach, FL20 contributions
where is parking in that area?
Daniel F
Chicago, IL90 contributions
The Water Tower Place parking facility is accessible from Chestnut Street, offering direct indoor access to the shopping center 24 hours a day. Insider Tips. Current parking rates are as follows: $22.00 for 1 hour or less.
Janedunfee
Columbus, IN
Is there's coat check area?
STULETSEAT
The Woodlands, TX874 contributions
Don't thing so... sorry
Romy S
Rotterdam, The Netherlands45 contributions
I have a question about the premier passport for international visitors, do they mean when you get this there is a pass included that for some stores international customers do not have to pay sales tax? Like what Macy's does for there international customers?
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Claim your listingWATER TOWER PLACE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Tower Place
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Water Tower Place:
- Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (From €44.60)
- Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour (From €42.22)
- Day in Chicago Food and Architecture (From €90.86)
- Chicago Sightseeing Tour by Luxury Stretch Limo (From €596.53)
- Chicago Murder Mystery Tour (From €32.12)
- Hotels near Water Tower Place:
- (0.15 km) Park Hyatt Chicago
- (0.17 km) Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
- (0.13 km) The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
- (0.18 km) The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
- (0.18 km) The Whitehall Hotel
- Restaurants near Water Tower Place:
- (0.03 km) Sacred Grounds
- (0.03 km) Red Mango
- (0.03 km) JoJo's shakeBAR Water Tower Place
- (0.03 km) American Girl Place Chicago Cafe
- (0.05 km) McDonald's
- Attractions near Water Tower Place:
- (0.03 km) The Da Vinci Machines Exhibition
- (0.05 km) The Ritz-Carlton Chicago Spa
- (0.05 km) Lookingglass Theatre Company
- (0.05 km) Toys R Us Adventure
- (0.06 km) American Girl Place Chicago