12 Hours in a Shopping Hot Spot
Explore the best stores and boutiques in Chicago Northwest
Some might not think of being on their feet for a full day as relaxing; others know that diving into retail can be a stress reliever. That’s me. Some of my favorite getaways involve discovering boutiques and stores I don’t get to explore at home.
Imagine my delight when I found myself just outside Chicago, for a meeting, with a full day to spend shopping. I started out on the Woodfield Shopping Trolley with unlimited energy and a budget that had been saved for this very experience.
IKEA
It’s easy to get to every hot spot in one day with the trolley, which gives free door-to-door service from one place to the next. At the third stop on the route, we landed at one of my favorite stores: IKEA. I browsed the warehouse, looking at everything from throw pillows to cupboard organizers. While I knew I couldn’t take the silver desk I coveted home with me, I was able to have it shipped (score!) and I picked up a few small art prints for my office at a killer deal.
Woodfield Village Green
I brought my purchases with me on the trolley and headed toward the next stop: Woodfield Village Green for some bargain hunting. As soon as I jumped off, I was on my way to Bloomingdale’s Outlet and Nordstrom Rack, looking like a kid in a candy store. Kate Spade sunglasses my chocolate; an Alex and Ani bracelet my gummy bears. I wore them out on my way to Old Navy, where I bought a cute scarf for my niece, and to ULTA for the hair spray that I had left at home. Browsing at Marshalls and Homegoods was a great way to wrap up my visit without breaking the bank.
Woodfield Mall
Next the trolley headed to the Woodfield Mall, a shopping hub to say the least. I ate lunch (and dessert, of course) at the Cheesecake Factory before grabbing a cute sweater at Macy’s and the boots I’d been eyeing online at Steve Madden. The LEGO® store provided gifts for my nephew, the MAC store offered me a new, bright red lipstick and I couldn’t resist the tulle skirt I found at H&M, perfect for any party.
The Streets of Woodfield
Just when I wasn’t sure I had the energy for more, the Streets of Woodfield called my name. I started with a quick stop at Dick’s Sporting Goods for a patterned workout tank that would complement some yoga pants I own. After that I grabbed a latte from Starbucks to keep me going, and browsed Crate & Barrel for nearly an hour, finally finding the perfect placemats for my newly remodeled kitchen.
Downtown Arlington Heights
There’s even more shopping to do in the Chicago Northwest area, and I decided I needed about five more days just to explore all that the Arlington Heights area had to offer. Though it’s not a stop on the trolley, it’s easily accessible and a boutique lover’s dream. I bought my sister a bottle of wine at Tuscan Market & Wine Shop, and even took an extra for myself. Next, I satisfied my appetite with a relaxing meal at Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Bar & Restaurant. After dinner, I wandered past the Metropolis Performing Arts Center and made mental notes to bring my boyfriend back to see a show there soon. It takes something good to distract me from my shopping goals, but downtown Arlington Heights managed to entrance me.
Winding down
After a full day of great bargains and all my favorite stores, I decided to head back to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, where my meetings would start the next day. I knew this city was an amazing place to visit, and I discovered that it’s also an amazing place to shop.
Discover even more fantastic shopping in Chicago Northwest.
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