We love window-shopping on the Mod Mile, our nickname for the stretch of modernist furniture stores along Franklin Avenue in River North. Our experience going inside the stores has been hit-or-miss, with super-friendly salespeople in some stores and snarling clerks in others. But we always have a nice time peeking through the glass to see what's new.

AT: Chicago has reviewed a couple of stores along the Mod Mile including Lightology and Modernica. Other shops include Manifesto (custom furniture and imports), Luminaire (modern classics), Orange Skin (Italian mod furniture), the Ambiente Collection (contemporary designers), and Artemide (modern lighting).

The area also has the highest concentration of art galleries in the city, including Carl Hammer Gallery (pictured above).