American Writers Museum
4.7(890)google
4.6(95)yelp
LiteratureHistoryEducational
Overview
The American Writers Museum is a museum of American Literature and writing that opened in Chicago in May 2017. The museum was designed by Amaze Design of Boston. The American museum was inspired by the Dublin Writers Museum.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeA modern, highly interactive indoor space that is excellent year-round, but perfect for escaping a freezing winter morning or a stormy summer afternoon. Weekday mornings at 10:00 AM are wonderfully peaceful, allowing you ample time to use the interactive vintage typewriters and explore the exhibits at your own intellectual pace.
Getting ThereLocated right downtown at 180 N Michigan Ave. Transit accessibility is premier; ride the CTA Red or Blue Line to the State/Lake or Washington stations and walk east for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, any downtown CTA bus heading down North Michigan Avenue will drop you off within steps of the entrance at Michigan & Lake.
Travel Tips
- The museum is strictly closed to the general public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; its entrance is highly inconspicuous, tucked on the 2nd floor of a Michigan Ave commercial high-rise with only a subtle street-level revolving door.
- The interactive botanical and literary installations require manual operation; guests must utilize personal smartphones paired with Bluetooth to seamlessly sync with the facility's free localized audio streams.
- The hands-on vintage mechanical typewriter arrays undergo routine engineering maintenance and ribbon re-inking late each afternoon; plan your visit during the 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM morning slot for uninterrupted access.
Reviews
Positive
- A rare US museum honoring writers; the words-wall and vintage typewriter rooms are modern and engaging, offering massive value for book lovers.
- Prime location inside a high-rise right on Michigan Avenue; nearby transit options are robust, with clear building directory signs.
- Tourist density is refreshingly low, free from overwhelming crowds, providing great peaceful solace to sit at typewriters and create quietly.
- Though the floor area is compact, it features heavy A/C, spotlessly clean individual restrooms, and cozy reading lounges with top-tier upkeep.
Heads up
- For non-native English speakers or those lacking a background in American literary history, the text-heavy displays may feel slightly dry.
- The ticket cost feels slightly steep for a single-floor museum that takes barely 45 to 60 minutes to cover, making its value subjective.
- It offers absolutely zero dedicated free or cheap parking; driving downtown involves complex one-ways and high parking garage fees.
- The gallery lacks an on-site cafe or formal dining space; grabbing a bottle of water requires leaving the floor entirely, leaving amenities lean.