Literary Travel Guide: Chicago
A Literary Travel Guide: Chicago
Chicago is one of my favorite cities...okay, probably my FAVORITE city. So it comes as no surprise to my friends and family that I chose Chicago as my first travel guide post. I haven't been to all of these places, but I've been to most. I've included anything with a book or literary connection - however minor it might be. If you have any additions to this list, please feel free to contact me here! Scroll to the bottom, or click here, for a map of everything listed below.
Literary Destinations in Chicago:
Literary Travel Guide: Chicago | Literary Destinations
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Home | 339 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Author of A Moveable Feast, among other notable works
American Writer's Museum | 180 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
The American Writers Museum is a museum of American Literature and writing that opened in Chicago in May 2017.
Chicago Architecture Foundation's Devil in the White City Tour | 224 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit cultural organization based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, whose mission is to inspire people to discover why design matters.
Chicago Literacy Alliance | 641 W Lake St #200, Chicago, IL 60661
Non-profit organization in Chicago, Illinois
Lorraine Hansberry House | 6140 S Rhodes Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Author of A Raisin in the Sun
Carl Sandburg House | 4646 N. Hermitage, Chicago, IL
Wrote the poem City of Big Shoulders, where Chicago got its nickname
Chicago Authored at the Chicago History Museum | 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
The first-ever crowd-sourced exhibition in our new café-style space from authors that define the character of Chicago and help us understand the complexity of our great city.
Chicago's Best Libraries:
Literary Travel Guide: Chicago | Best Libraries
Newberry Library | 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610
Poetry Foundation | 61 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Stony Island Arts Bank | 6760 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60649
Harold Washington Library Center | 400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
The Ryerson and Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute | 111 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603
Chicago Public Library, Chinatown Branch | 2100 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Hall Branch, Chicago Public Library | 4801 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives | 6500 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60626
Bookish places to eat in Chicago:
Literary Travel Guide: Chicago | Bookish Places to Eat
Read It & Eat | 2142 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
a culinary bookstore
the Albert | 228 East Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611
Chic spot offering chef-driven New American fare & scientific cocktails in an Einstein-themed hotel.
Red Lion Pub | 2446 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
English ales plus fish 'n' chips & shepherd's pie in a bi-level space with a loungey library vibe.
Wilde Bar and Restaurant | 3130 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
Literary-themed upscale Irish pub with leather banquettes, extensive beer list & American bar fare.
The Monkey's Paw | 2524 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Farm-to-table American fare in rustic space with exposed brick, old library books & distressed wood.
The Map Room | 1949 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Map-lined watering hole touting more than 200 global beers, plus travel books for browsing.
Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant | 5260 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Upscale farm-to-table bar eats & a large beer & whiskey menu served in a traditional Irish pub. (Lady Gregory was an Irish dramatist, folklorist and theatre manager)
Old Town Ale House | 219 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610
Laid-back, cash-only dive bar near Second City with a storied past, old-school jukebox & funky art. Includes a bookshelf near the front door.
The Library at Gilt Bar | 230 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Lounge with vintage library decor serving the same upscale American menu as Gilt Bar upstairs.
The Drawing Room at Chicago Athletic Association | 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
A bit Hogwarts-esque featuring lots of bookshelves. A sprawling yet comfortable room comprising a variety of spaces where you can meet, mingle, canoodle and indulge.
Vol. 39 | 39 S LaSalle St #200, Chicago, IL 60603
Hotel lobby lounge featuring bar-cart service & small plates in posh digs with law books & sofas.
Literary events in Chicago:
Literary Travel Guide: Chicago | Literary Events
Printers Row Lit Fest | Printer's Row, south of The Loop
Chicago Humanities Festival | 500 N Dearborn St #825, Chicago, IL 60654
The Annual Newberry Library Book Fair | 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610
For the Love of Books & Chicago | The Magnificent Mile
Chicago's Independent Bookstores:
Literary Travel Guide: Chicago | Independent Bookstores
Volumes Bookcafe | 1474 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Volumes Bookcafe is Wicker Park's new neighborhood independent bookstore cafe.
Myopic Books | 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Tri-level used-books store stocking 80,000 tomes & hosting periodic concerts & poetry nights.
Roscoe Books | 2142 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618
An indie bookstore in Roscoe Village
The Book Cellar | 4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Sandwiches, soups, salads & coffee served in a comfy eatery, part of an independent bookstore.
Women and Children First | 5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Indy-minded all-around bookshop known for its feminist & kid focus, with regular author appearances.
After-Words Bookstore | 23 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611
Independent bookstore offering a wide selection of new & used titles in vast, industrial-chic digs.
57th Street Books | 1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Low-ceilinged & mazelike bookshop with a literary vibe & a wide stock, plus a kids' section.
Unabridged Bookstore | 3251 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657
Veteran bookseller featuring a wide variety of general & children's literature plus LGBT titles.
Quimby's Bookstore | 1854 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Indie bookstore offering offbeat titles, graphic novels & magazines, plus readings & special events.
Uncharted Books | 2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Resource for buying & selling of used books, with literary events, browsing & community space.
Open Books | 651 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661
Community-minded nonprofit bookstore stocking thousands of donated used books for adults & kids.
