Unveiled in 1975, Water Tower Place is one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers, and its attached mall is a major downtown shopping destination. Home to upwards of 100 shops, including the American Girl Place, Macy’s, and other popular national brands, the mall also houses numerous casual and sit-down dining options, a theater (Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse), and the small Chicago Sports Museum, located within Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch eatery.
Given its convenient location right on the Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place can be glimpsed during hop-on hop-off bus tours and neighborhood excursions. It’s also easy to stop by for an independent shopping trip.
To access Water Tower Place by the El, take the Brown Line to Chicago station. Water Tower Place is also served by numerous bus lines, including the 3, 26, 66, 143, 146, 147, 148, and 151. Alternatively, it can be reached on foot, by car, or by bike.
The Water Tower Place Mall is open from morning to evening Monday–Saturday, with much shorter hours on Sundays. Note that its restaurants and theater may have different hours, so it’s worth researching in advance.
The Broadway Playhouse has occupied Water Tower Place in its current incarnation since 2010, and today it showcases a range of hugely popular musicals and shows. Recent highlights range from Hamilton and Cats to Les Misérables and, fittingly, Chicago.
