The Writer’s Travel Guide to Chicago: Literary & Writing Spots

When you think of Chicago, do you think of literature? Probably not, yet Chicago is full of literary travel POI. And Chicago is also full of great writing and reading spots. So whether you’re a writer looking for an writing retreat or a traveler on a quest for literary inspiration, Chicago is the perfect urban destination for you.

Don’t believe me? Allow me to convince you.

I have pulled together all the best literary spots in the city for the Writer’s Travel Guide to Chicago. Here you’ll find the best places to write and visit to get writing inspiration on your next trip to Chicago, along with other literary spots that would be interest any writer or reader.

[This post contains affiliate links.]

Where to write in Chicago

Cafes in Chicago

My go-to places to write in Chicago are usually cafes. While I used to only like writing in complete solitude, I found it’s much more inspiring to be among others when crafting stories.

For the price of a tea or coffee, a writer can spend hours in a place bustling with people unaware their lives might be used in a book.

Here are some of my favorite cafes to go writing in Chicago, based on how laptop friendly they are and how inspiring the atmospheres are.

Volumes Bookcafe

(1474 N Milwaukee Ave)

If you’re the type of person who likes to be around books when you’re writing a book yourself, look no further than Volumes Bookcafe. Nothing is more inspiring than looking up from your writing to see physical proof it is indeed possible to finish writing a book. If other people did it, so can you!

The front half of this café is where you can sit down with a coffee and write. In the other half, you can browse around the bookstore when you need a break from the writing. There are also various events taking place here, which you can find more about here.

This book café is located in Wicker Park, which you can reach on the Blue Line from the Loop. It’s a very young, energetic neighborhood, so if that’s a vibe you’re searching for your current work, head on up there. There are tons of different cafes you can hop between while there, as well as one of the most awesome bookstores in the city. [Keep reading for more information about it!]

Map Room

(1949 N Hoyne Ave)

Map Room is particularly admired by Voyage Scribe because it has, as the name suggests, a travel theme! If you need a good place to work on the current Voyage Scribe travel writing prompt, this is it!

You can stay here all day and even well into the night because the Map Room starts serving alcohol at 11 am until last call at 1:30 am… If you’re a writer fueled by coffee, alcohol, bakery items and cozy environments, the Map Room has everything you need on to write in Chicago.

Bourgeoisie Pig Café

(738 W Fullerton Ave)

Want to feel like you stepped back into time? Enter the old house that hosts the Bourgeoisie Pig Café. Here you can get inspiration to write a book set in this building a hundred years ago. Can you create characters that once called this house home?

You’ll be able to find a cozy spot to settle down in either on the first or second floor, and the vintage couches combined with bookshelves are guaranteed to create a inspiring writing environment for you.

Hallowed Grounds

(1127 E 57th St)

For a Hogwarts vibe, the University of Chicago, located in Hyde Park, is the place to visit. A great spot to soak in that Hogwarts and university vibe is Hallowed Grounds.

This coffee shop is student-run and the interior offers a perfect spot to write while pretending you’re at Hogwarts (if Hogwarts had a coffee shop).

Sawada Coffee

(112 N Green St)

For a vibe more reminiscent of the fact you’re in an urban area, check out Sawada in West Loop.

Sit at a table in front of the window to people watch, or grab a seat at the ping-pong table converted into a communal workspace.

Sawada is known for its matcha drinks, particularly the Military Latte, which has both matcha tea powder and a shot of espresso. If you need a lot of caffeine to get you through the chapter you’re writing or need an urban vibe for inspiration, this is the café for you.

Sawada is located in the same space as a BBQ restaurant, so you can grab some food without even leaving the building. Just keep in mind the place does get loud, so if you need silence while writing, or are looking for a classy, elegant vibe, this place is not for you.

Limitless Coffee & Tea (Fulton Market)

(217 N Green St)

If you prefer a more bright, open, clean and elegant space to write, Limitless is just down the street from Sawada off of Fulton Market. And if you have a habit of Instagramming your writing process, the colorful, glittery lattes will brighten up your feed.

Try a charcoal latte with glitter or one of the other gorgeous lattes, ranging from lavender to rose beet lattes. There are plenty of outlets to charge your laptop, so you could write without worrying about your laptop dying on you right in the middle of a burst of inspiration.

Starbucks

I know, I know. Unoriginal. But for late openings, Starbucks is going to be your best option. When I was working a job that didn’t start until 9 p.m., I always ended up in a Starbucks before work since it was the only place open. This is true especially in the Loop area, since most places close around 5 p.m. there, when all the workers from the city’s skyscrapers leave their offices and the area feels like a ghost town.

But you can always count on Starbucks, where you’ll find with a warm drink, outlets to charge your laptop and reliable Wi-Fi.

They’re also everywhere. Just search “Starbucks” on Google Maps and you’re guaranteed to find one around the corner or just a few blocks away.

Chicago Athletic Club Drawing Room

(12 S Michigan Ave)

This became my absolute favorite place in Chicago for a writing session, and in general, one of my favorite places in Chicago. It’s a bit hard to find, which is why I only recently went there for the first time.

But I got you.

Walk into the Chicago Athletic Club building off of the magnificent Michigan Avenue. Normally, there will be a doorman holding the door open for you. To your left is Shake Shack, a great option for food later if you’re a starving artist in need of something cheap and delicious to eat. To your immediate right, there is a café. But this isn’t the writing spot.

I mean, you can certainly write at this café, but it’s a tiny space and is usually loud and crowded. So, instead, walk past the café until you reach the side stairs next to the elevators. Go up those stairs, and then you have arrived in probably my favorite place in Chicago.

Perhaps it’s because I love old, historical buildings, or perhaps because it reminds me of Hogwarts. Either way, the Drawing Room makes me wish I could stay there forever just writing.

The many tables invite you to set your laptop down to write, or else you can plop yourself down on a leather armchair or on a cozy seat located inside the massive fireplaces. The Drawing Room oozes in luxurious ambiance, with the intricately carved wood and the large windows making you feel like you’re in a castle.

You can order a drink and food there too, so you really never have to leave! Well, until they kick you out at midnight.

[Psst: Take the elevator to the top floor for one of the best rooftop bars in the city: Cindy’s!]

Free spots to write in Chicago

While cafés are great when you’re hungry or in need of caffeine, spending $5 every day on an overpriced cup of tea can add up. And because I don’t have any bestselling books published, it really adds up. Here are my favorite places to write when I don’t want to spend money on food and drink.

Union Station Great Hall

Perhaps not the most ideal, especially when there are a lot of people loudly waiting for their trains, Union Station is still my go-to place to write when I don’t want to spend any money.

The Great Hall is absolutely gorgeous, with its incredibly high window ceilings, grand columns and ornate decorations and statutes on the wall. The architecture of the Great Hall seeps with a vintage luxury I’m used to seeing in Europe’s wealthiest cities rather than in the Midwest.

Replace the benches with a pool and you’d have a much grander Gellert Baths (Budapest) lookalike. Replace the empty walls with famous paintings and you’d feel like you’re in a wealthy European castle converted into art museum.

If you ignore the American voices announcing Amtrak train times and the passengers attired in sweat pants and with suitcases waiting for their trains, you could imagine a much different setting for your story in this humongous room.

There’s also Wi-Fi, public restrooms and a food court with cheap fast food- everything you need is in Union Station!

(Psst: Like writing on trains? Feel the urge to hop on a train and take it as far as it can go? The California Zephyr line starts right here in Union Station!)

Libraries

If you’re the type of person who likes writing in a library, you’re in luck. Chicago has multiple libraries you can choose from to write at. In fact, the Chicago Public Library system has 80 locations and is named the best library system in the U.S. (and third best in the world).

COVID-19 update: As of this writing, the following Chicago libraries are opened. But to check updates and see the safety measures in place, you can find that info here.

Harold Washington Library Center is located nearby the old publishing district of Chicago [keep reading for more info on that] in South Loop. You won’t miss its postmodern architecture design- the ornamental roof alone is a sight to see! The highlight of this massive building is definitely the gorgeous Winter Garden on the ninth floor. You’ll easily find a table somewhere in this huge building to sit down and write.

Newberry Library has the perfect, cozy spot for you to write in the reading rooms upstairs, complete with a view of Washington Square Park. It specializes in Western European and American history from the Renaissance to the 20^th century, so if your book’s setting fits this description you’ve hit the jackpot for your research.

Chinatown Branch Library is housed in a fairly new building with award-winning architecture. With designs referencing Feng Shui principles and great views of the Chicago skyline, you’ll find all the inspiration and positive vibes you need for writing the day away.

To learn more about the other top-rated libraries in Chicago, check out this article.

Outdoor spots to write in Chicago

While impractical if you need Wi-Fi for research, writing outdoors is an excellent idea if access to internet easily distracts you from writing and if the weather is too nice to stay inside all day.

Luckily, Chicago has so many great places for sitting outside and writing, thanks to its numerous city parks and its placement on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Lurie Garden in Millennium Park

Millennium Park is Chicago’s “front yard.” Located in between the gorgeous architecture along Michigan Avenue and the vast Lake Michigan, this park is one of the most iconic parts of the city. Millennium Park is where the Bean (or Cloud Gate) is located, so it’s a very touristy spot.

However, while the area surrounding the Bean is almost always crowded (sometimes even in the subzero temperatures of winter), I have found that Lurie Garden hardly ever hosts a huge crowd. In the summer months, colorful flowers attract the sounds of birds and nature, which contrasts deeply with the sounds of the city in the distance.  And the sight of the looming skyscrapers contrasts against the tall green hedges that create a barrier around the garden.

I always found this contrast very inspiring and have been known to sit on a bench here writing in my notebook, or on my phone or even my laptop.

Grant Park

Although Grant Park does attract many tourists, particularly for its massive Buckingham Fountain, it’s a huge park, so it won’t be too hard to find a spot to sit.

You might even be able to find a secluded area where not many people will be walking by to distract you. Even though it’s right in the middle of the city’s bustle, Grant Park is a place you can find a little bit of quiet, although the sound of the city will still quietly play in the background.

Along Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan more closely resembles a sea than a lake in its size, and the border between its waters and the Chicago skyline is filled with beautiful spots for sitting, thinking and writing. The piece of land running along the lake has grassy spots with benches off the path filled with bikers, skaters, runners and walkers. You’ll also find patched of sandy beaches here.

Alternatively, if you like writing while laying out on a sandy beach (not recommended if you only write on a laptop), you have many to choose from. The most popular are probably Montrose Avenue Beach and North Avenue Beach, both on the northside.

If you want a less crowded yet still beautiful beach, head to 63^rd Street Beach on the southside. It’s located across the street from the Museum of Science and Industry and Jackson Park- another great place for writing inspiration.

Museum visits for writing inspiration

In the first creative writing class I took in college, one of our assignments was to visit the on-campus museum, pick an object on display and then write a short story inspired by that object.

Ever since that class, each time I visit a museum I end up leaving with an abundance of ideas! Historical novel ideas are a cinch when you’re visiting museums with historical artifacts, and research for a Sci-Fi novel is much more fun in an interactive planetarium museum.

When it comes to museums, Chicago has it all. Not only does this city have an abundance of museums, but most of them are world-class and highly impressive.

Here’s a list of museums writers would benefit from visiting.

Field Museum

(1400 S Lake Shore Dr)

The Field Museum began with an impressive collection from the 1893 Chicago World’s Expo. Since then, it has grown to hold nearly 40 million items in its collection. No matter what you’re writing, you’ll be sure to find some kind of inspiration here.

The museum has exhibitions on everything from ancient cultures, nature and the latest scientific discoveries. One of the most iconic items in the collection is Sue, the largest, complete T-Rex dinosaur skeleton found in the world.

Adler Planetarium

(1300 S Lake Shore Dr)

If you’re writing a Sci-Fi book, Chicago’s Adler Planetarium is your best friend for writing inspiration- and maybe even for research! Founded in 1930, this was actually the first planetarium in the U.S.

Watch a show in one of its three full size theaters or do some research the fun way by exploring one of the many exhibits. Plan to be in Chicago on a night when the Doane Observatory (one of the only public urban observatories) is open to the public.

Shedd Aquarium

(1200 S Lake Shore Dr)

Writing a book about mermaids or taking place in a sea setting? Get inspired by meeting the creatures residing in waters around the world at the Shedd. This aquarium hosts a wide array of different sea creatures, from stingrays to belugas to sharks to jellyfish.

Museum of Science and Industry

(5700 S Lake Shore Dr)

This museum was originally built for the 1893 Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. Even if you don’t go inside the museum, it’s worth checking out the area around it. Jackson Park, also built for the World Expo, is full of history and a great place to brainstorm or write.

If you do decide to visit, you will find all sorts of exhibits to help inspire your next writing project. Learn more about various technologies through all the informative and interactive exhibits. It’s yet another place in Chicago where research for your writing can be fun!

Chicago History Museum

(1601 N Clark St)

If you’re on a trip to Chicago because your next book takes place here, learn all you need to know at this museum!

Located in Lincoln Park, it’s right next door to the free Lincoln Park Zoo and nearby some of the best beaches on the north-side shores of Lake Michigan.

Literary Travel Spots in Chicago

While Chicago may be better known for its architecture, it also has a history catering to literary travel. I’ve already listed some literary points of interest in Chicago, but here are some other great ones that you shouldn’t miss.

American Writer’s Museum

(180 N Michigan Ave)

Another museum (with a literary connection) is the American Writer’s Museum.

A writer visiting Chicago without visiting the American Writer’s Museum is like pizza lover visiting Chicago without indulging in deep dish pizza. This is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to American writers, so this place alone should be a reason for writers to visit Chicago.

Although it’s not a huge museum, there’s a lot of information packed into it. The first exhibit takes you on an exploration of the most influential American writers and on what “American” even means when classifying writers as such.

I particularly enjoyed the area set up with old typewriters. Here you are encouraged to use these typewriters to collectively write a story. Type out a few sentences, then leave the story to be continued by another museum visitor! Or, you can add on to someone else’s story.

I enjoyed this exhibit so much, in fact, that I was inspired to buy my own typewriter. Sometimes when I feel stuck while writing, I pull out my 1941 Remington Remette and click-clack away at the keyboard until I feel ready to write again.

Ernest Hemingway Museum and Birthplace House

(339 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL)

So this one’s in a Chicago suburb, but it’s worth a trek outside of the city if you’re a Hemingway fan and inspired by his writing. He was born in Oak Park and you can visit the house he grew up in there!

Once you tour the house, head across the street to the museum where you’ll find more exhibits on one of Illinois’ most famous writers.

Printer’s Row

Did you know Chicago—not New York—was once the publishing hub of the country? While most publishing houses are gone now, you can still visit the area where all the magic happened.

Printer’s Row is located in the South Loop, and its old architecture lets you imagine what Chicago was like back in its publishing heydays. Bookstore, cafes, train station converted into restaurant venues: this place has writing spots galore.

And if you’re around Chicago in the summer, don’t miss the Printer’s Row Lit Fest. It’s the largest free festival of its kind in the Midwest. You could attend fascinating discussions with authors, buy old books and learn about various writer’s associations in the area. I even attended a few writing workshops this year. It was a great place to meet other writers from both Chicago and beyond and to get some new writing inspiration.

Poetry Foundation

(61 W Superior St)

Are you a poet? Then you have to visit the Poetry Foundation building, the center of poetry in the city. Beyond housing the magazine and foundation offices, it is also home to a garden, a 30,000 volume library and an exhibition.

A Devil in the White City-inspired Walking Tour

A Devil in the White City is one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. It reads more like a fiction book and I learned so much about Chicago’s history from it! This tour takes you to all the spots from this book, from the location of the Chicago World Fair to Holmes’ “Murder Castle.”

Alternatively, you can try visiting the points of interest from this book on your own. But you’ll get a better sense of Chicago in 1893 if you go on this tour.

Bookstores

Chicago has independent bookstores galore, and many have sitting areas that are perfect for reading or writing. Here are some of my favorites.

Open Books

(651 W Lake St & 905 W 19th St)

The great thing about this bookstore is that the proceeds benefit literacy efforts. It has two locations: one in West Loop and one in Pilsen. Both locations have award winning bookstores where you’ll be able to find the book you need to read right now for inspiration for your current writing project.

There are also lots of programs hosted by Open Books, so it’s a great place for writers to hang out in.

Sandmeyer’s Bookstore

(714 S Dearborn St)

This bookstore is located in Printer’s Row and has been independently owned since 1982.

Step inside and get hit immediately by the nostalgic scent of an old building filled with history. Although small, there are many books waiting to be explored. What better way to get writing inspiration than exploring books already written?

Where to Stay in Chicago

Convinced to visit the Windy City? Here are my recommended accommodations for the traveling writer.

For the Starving Artist

If you’re really low on funds, try a hostel! Freehand Chicago may not be cheap for the true starving artist, but it makes up for it with its luxurious décor and great location. It’s also still one of cheapest options for accommodation.

Not Starving Artist, But Can’t Afford Luxury Travel Yet

For a Chicago hotel with a great lobby hangout area for writing, check out FieldHouse Jones. It has a café and restaurant on site so you don’t even have to leave the building to maximize your writing time!

For the Luxury Traveler

Probably applicable only to bestselling authors or people who have a career besides just writing. Either way, Chicago does not lack in luxury for any writing need.

Remember the Drawing Room I raved about earlier? Well, it actually serves as the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. The rooms are elegant as the Drawing Room, and you really can’t find a better location to stay. It’s right across the street from Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, and the building has establishments with all the caffeine, alcohol, food and luxury you need while writing in Chicago.

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Did your favorite writing spot in Chicago not make this list? Comment below to share with your fellow traveling writers!