Two of the best malls in America are located in the Chicago suburbs, per new ranking
The outlet recently released its Readers' Choice Awards 2025 for a variety of shopping experiences and destinations throughout the country—a panel of travel experts nominated their top picks from hundreds of available choices, and then they handed the list over to readers so they could pick the winners. And it turns out that Illinoisans still love to shop in person.
In the ' Best Shopping Center ' category—which focuses on malls that are not only enjoyable, clean, and safe environments, but also important community gathering spaces—Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook, IL was awarded the fourth-place spot for its lovely open-air shopping experience full of green spaces, art installations, chef-driven dining establishments and more than 170 prosperous stores. Plus, the mall has plenty of seasonal events to keep Chicagoans busy connected and engaged all year.
Oakbrook was joined on the list by The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio, TX (at No. 1), Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA (in second place) and Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, HI, rounding out the top three.
And in the ' Best Outlet Mall ' ranking, Massachusetts and New Jersey malls took the gold and silver, but Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois took home the Bronze. This two-level indoor shopping center has plenty of designer outlets and name brands to choose from, as well as dining options and a fun atmosphere filled with interesting art.
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