Shopping, history, education and just plain fun come together at Macy’s on State Street, the huge and historic department store that for years was known by its founder’s name, Marshall Fields.
“There is nothing we can’t do in this store,” said Mayo Dikelsky, manager of tourism sales and marketing.
Dikelsky offers numerous programs for groups, including a wide range of fashion tip options such as building a wardrobe, business casual basics and trends for the season.
Several food and wine programs are available in the state-of-the-art Culinary Studio. Prominent chefs who are members of the Macy’s Culinary Council lead cooking classes, or groups can choose from several wine tasting experiences.
It’s not often you can shop in a building that is a National Historic Landmark, and the Macy’s 45-minute Flagship Tour gives groups a look at such historic icons as the two Great Clocks, each weighing more than 7 tons, located on the corners State and Washington, and State and Randolph streets; the tall granite pillars on the State Street entrance; the Burnham Fountain; the Walnut Room restaurant; and the brilliant Tiffany Ceiling composed of more than 1.6 million pieces of glittering glass.
Dikelsky said that even if a group’s primary interest is shopping, the tour “lets you get your bearings” in what she said is the world’s second-largest department store, with 800,000 square feet of retail.
Another tour option gives behind-the-scenes looks at how Macy’s’ famous window displays are created.
And you don’t have to shop to enjoy the building.
“We market it as a museum,” said Dikelsky. “Even if groups are not planning on shopping, this is a not-miss Chicago experience.”
www.visitmacyschicago.com
(312) 781-4483
