American Writers Museum Tours

Explore 500 years of American literature and learn about writers who have influenced American history, culture, and identity at the American Writers Museum. The first institution of its kind in the country to celebrate American writers, the museum features state-of-the-art and immersive exhibits to educate and inspire visitors.
 
The Basics
Learn about 100 authors and their works in the Writers Hall; explore the methodology behind key works in the Mind of a Writer exhibit; and discover major themes in American literature in the Nation of Writers. Visitors can play word games or even create their own story on a vintage typewriter, and A Children’s Gallery encourages young kids to pick up one of the many books and start reading. Author readings, film screenings, and workshops are held from time to time in the Readers Hall. Temporary exhibits may showcase rare memorabilia and replica homes or historical sites from different literary works.
 
Book your tickets ahead of time to guarantee entry. Admission is also included as part of some Chicago sightseeing passes, and a visit to the museum can easily be combined with a tour of other attractions in the city, either independently or as part of a guided tour.
 
Things to Know Before You Go

• The American Writers Museum is a must-visit for literature fans.
• Admission is free to children aged 12 and under.
• The museum is wheelchair-accessible.

 
How to Get There
The American Writers Museum is located in downtown Chicago and easily accessible by public transit. State & Lake and Washington & Wabash CTA ‘L’ stations and the Metra Millennium station are within two blocks of the museum, and a number of CTA buses stop nearby. For those driving, the most convenient parking is the Grant Park North Garage.
 
When to Get There
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with extended hours on Thursday, and closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Expect to spend between one and two hours here, longer if you are an avid reader or fan of the written word.
 
Chicago’s Cultural Mile
The American Writers Museum is a new addition to a part of town known as the Chicago Cultural Mile. Other institutions here include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and the Pritzker Military Museum. A Chicago blues museum is one of the new attractions being planned.