You walk through those heavy doors on State Street and the air just changes. It’s a mix of old-school perfume counters, the faint scent of Frango mints, and that specific, slightly dusty grandeur you only get from a building that’s seen over a century of Chicago winters. Honestly, Macy's on State Chicago isn't just a department store. It's a massive, 12-story limestone titan that refuses to act like the retail world is crumbling around it.
Most people call it Marshall Field’s. Still.
If you grew up in the Midwest, calling it "Macy’s" feels a little bit like a betrayal, even though the green awnings changed over to red stars back in 2006. But whether you’re there for a last-minute tie or just to gawp at the ceiling, this place remains the beating heart of the Loop. It’s one of the largest stores in the world. It’s a National Historic Landmark. And frankly, it’s a miracle it’s still operating at this scale when most mall anchors are being turned into pickleball courts or luxury condos.
The Tiffany Ceiling and Why You Need to Look Up
Seriously. Stop walking and look up.
The Tiffany Favrile glass mosaic ceiling in the South State Street building is, quite literally, priceless. We’re talking over 1.6 million pieces of iridescent glass. It was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany’s team around 1907, and it’s the largest of its kind. When the sun hits it right, the whole atrium glows with this weird, ethereal blue and gold light that makes you forget you're standing in a place that sells discount kitchenware.
It’s easy to get cynical about corporate retail. But you can't fake this kind of architecture. The Burnham-designed building—named for the legendary Daniel Burnham who basically drew the blueprints for modern Chicago—was built to be a "cathedral of commerce." It sounds pretentious, sure. Yet, when you see the massive granite pillars on the exterior, you realize they weren't just building a shop; they were building a monument to the city's ego.
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The Frango Mint Obsession
You can’t talk about Macy's on State Chicago without mentioning the mints. It’s the law.
Frango Mints actually started at Frederick & Nelson in Seattle, but Marshall Field’s bought the brand and made it a Chicago icon. For decades, they were made right there on the 13th floor. Nowadays, the production has moved around, but the recipe—that specific, melt-on-your-tongue chocolate infused with peppermint oil—remains a staple.
People buy these things by the pallet during the holidays. It’s the "I forgot to get you a real gift" gift that everyone actually wants. If you’re visiting, go to the candy department. Don't overthink it. Just get the original green box.
The Walnut Room: More Than Just a Salad
The Walnut Room opened in 1907. Back then, women didn't really have places to eat lunch downtown without a male escort, so Mrs. Hering (a millinery clerk) started serving chicken pot pie to her clients so they wouldn't leave the store to eat. It was a genius move.
Today, the Walnut Room is a sprawling 17,000-square-foot dining room with Circassian walnut paneling imported from Russia. It feels like a time capsule. Is the food the best in Chicago? Probably not. You can find better fine dining in the West Loop, obviously. But you aren't there for a Michelin star. You’re there for the history.
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And the pot pie.
The Mrs. Hering’s Chicken Pot Pie is the most famous thing on the menu. It’s heavy, it’s salty, and it’s exactly what you want when it’s 10 degrees outside and the wind is whipping off the lake. During the holidays, the Great Tree—a 45-foot tall monstrosity of glitter and lights—is erected right in the middle of the room. Getting a reservation in December is basically an Olympic sport.
The Great Retail Struggle
Let's be real for a second. Macy’s as a corporation has had a rough few years. They’ve closed hundreds of stores. They’ve fought off activist investors and private equity sharks. There’s always a rumor floating around that the State Street flagship is going to be downsized even further or turned entirely into offices.
Already, the upper floors have been converted. A huge chunk of the top floors is now "The 24," a massive office project.
It makes sense. Who needs 12 floors of retail in 2026? But there’s a tension there. The store has to balance being a museum and being a functional business. If you go on a Tuesday morning in February, the place can feel hauntingly empty. The escalators creak. The staff-to-customer ratio is skewed. Yet, during the Flower Show in the spring or the holiday window reveals, the energy comes roaring back. It’s a reminder that Chicagoans still crave these physical "third places" that aren't just a digital checkout screen.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Visiting
A lot of tourists just walk in, see the first floor, and leave. That’s a mistake.
- The Basement is the Secret: The "Seven on State" food court used to be the big draw, but even the lower levels have these weird nooks and crannies with great deals and less foot traffic.
- The Lost Fountains: There are hidden architectural details everywhere. Look for the "Lost" fountain or the plaques that explain where the original 19th-century structures stood before the Great Chicago Fire.
- The Clocks: The Great Clocks on the corners of State and Washington, and State and Randolph, weigh about seven tons each. They’re the city’s favorite meeting spot. "Meet me under the clock" has been a Chicago phrase for over a century. If you look closely at the ironwork, the detail is staggering.
- The Museum Aspect: There’s actually a small museum/exhibit area on one of the upper floors (usually near the Walnut Room) that houses old photos and artifacts from the Marshall Field’s days. It’s free. Use it.
The Logistics of a Visit
If you’re heading there, don’t drive. Just don't. Parking in the Loop is a nightmare and will cost you more than the shirt you're buying. Take the "L." The State/Lake or Lake stations (Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Pink, Orange lines all stop nearby) drop you right there.
The store is massive. Wear comfortable shoes. You will get lost. The layout is a sprawling labyrinth because it was built in stages between 1892 and 1914. One section’s floor might be a few inches higher than the next, connected by a weird little ramp you didn't see coming.
How to Do Macy's on State Chicago Like a Local
- Avoid the main entrance on State Street if it's crowded. Use the Wabash side. It’s quieter and feels more "neighborhoody."
- Check the events calendar. They do a lot of random stuff—cooking demos, fashion pop-ups, and the iconic Flower Show.
- Visit the 7th Floor. That’s where the Walnut Room is, but also the Frango kitchen area and the visitor center. Even if you don't eat, walk through the hall to see the vintage holiday window displays from years past.
- Don't expect the "Marshall Field’s" service. This is the biggest gripe from locals. The service is standard Macy's—functional, but not the legendary "give the lady what she wants" obsession of the 1950s. Adjust your expectations and you'll have a better time.
Why We Should Care if It Stays
In an era of Amazon packages piling up in apartment lobbies, a place like Macy's on State Chicago is a dinosaur. But it’s a cool dinosaur. It represents a time when shopping was a social event, an architectural experience, and a point of civic pride.
When you lose a flagship store like this, you lose a piece of the city's identity. You lose the windows that kids have pressed their noses against for generations. You lose the Tiffany glass. You lose the history of the "Loop" as a destination rather than just a collection of office towers.
The store has survived the 1871 fire (well, its predecessor did), the Great Depression, the death of the department store era, and a global pandemic. It’s still standing.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Start at the Top: Take the elevators all the way to the 7th floor and work your way down. It's easier on the legs and you hit the historical highlights first.
- Get the "Visitor Savings": If you're from out of town, check the visitor center. They often have a 10% or 15% discount pass for tourists that works on most items.
- Budget 2 Hours: Don't try to "pop in." You won't see anything. Give yourself time to actually explore the architecture.
- Document the Details: Take photos of the ironwork on the elevators and the brass fixtures. These things literally aren't made anymore.
- Grab a Box of Mints: Seriously. Even if you think you don't like mint chocolate. You’ll change your mind by the time you hit the Red Line.
Retail is changing, and Macy's on State Chicago is changing with it. It’s smaller, leaner, and a bit more corporate than it used to be. But the bones are still there. The soul is still there. And as long as that Tiffany ceiling is glowing, it’s worth the trip downtown.