American Writers Museum
American Writers Museum
4.8
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The American Writers Museum, the first of its kind in the nation, features fun and interactive exhibits for readers and writers of all ages. Explore more than 400 years of American writing of all genres, vintage typewriters, a Word Waterfall, word games and a Surprise Bookshelf that includes sounds, smells, videos and dioramas. Special exhibit FREE with paid admission: Level Up: Writers & Gamers.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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$28.54
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Randolph/Wabash • 3 min walk
- Lake • 4 min walk
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4.8
444 reviews
Excellent
362
Very good
64
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Tom S
Ypsilanti, MI197 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
It's difficult to represent the written word in a visual medium like a museum, but they've done an adequate job. The exhibits were all professionally designed and installed. What I enjoyed most about my visit (and what I imagine most visitors enjoy) was witnessing my favorite authors represented-- a kind of validation of my own opinions. I spent an hour touring the exhibits, and, though I was pressed for time, don't think I'd have wanted to spend much more than that. The $16 admission seems kind of steep for what it is, but they are located in an expensive part of Chicago. If you're an avid reader, you'll enjoy this (I can't imagine a non-reader even bothering to read reviews of AWM!).
Written 27 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dexfast t
Jacksonville, FL11 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Not a media with visuals. However, the American Writers Museum has succeeded in doing so with imaginative and engaging displays. Unquestionably worthwhile to see. elusive, though. It is located in downtown Chicago on the second story of a building, directly across from Stan's Donuts and Nutella. Though it is difficult to notice, a sign is posted on the front of the building.
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caitlin H
Kansas40 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The American Writer's Museum greatest strength is its design. It is incredibly interactive and uses technology to make historical or lesser known authors and their work exciting to new audiences. Try to catch a tour. They are free and the staff is knowledgeable and excited to talk literature. Depending on your point of view, the museum's focus on breadth and not depth can be a weakness or a strength. The current special exhibit (Level Up) was disappointingly surface level in its analysis.
The museum is easily wheelchair accessible, but some elements of a few displays cannot be manipulated from a seated height. This was not enough of a factor to make me feel like I was missing out substantially and I would still consider it a worthwhile stop for those making use of seated mobility aids. I did not use the restrooms, so I cannot speak to them.
The museum is easily wheelchair accessible, but some elements of a few displays cannot be manipulated from a seated height. This was not enough of a factor to make me feel like I was missing out substantially and I would still consider it a worthwhile stop for those making use of seated mobility aids. I did not use the restrooms, so I cannot speak to them.
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IndianaTravelmom
South Bend, IN342 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Really enjoyed our visit and spent about 2 hours here. There’s a timeline with various authors represented that was highly informative. There are some interactive exhibits as well. Though small in scale it was well worth a stop
Written 10 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for spending some time with us and leaving a review! We hope to see you back again soon.
Written 3 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The_Coach55
Ruislip, UK1,434 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The American Writers Museum is located in the Loop area of Chicago on North Michigan Avenue close to Millennium Park.
There is a great deal of information pertaining to American authors over the last four centuries and I found it really absorbing.
Great writers such as F Scott Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck were well covered as were more local authors like Saul Bellow, Ray Bradbury, Nelson Algren and Upton Sinclair.
I was slightly disappointed to not be able to vote for Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle in my top three American novels as it wasn’t on the list.
There are plenty of interactive exhibits on which budding writers can hone their skills.
We spent a couple of hours here and the admission fee is $14 per person.
The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
There is a great deal of information pertaining to American authors over the last four centuries and I found it really absorbing.
Great writers such as F Scott Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck were well covered as were more local authors like Saul Bellow, Ray Bradbury, Nelson Algren and Upton Sinclair.
I was slightly disappointed to not be able to vote for Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle in my top three American novels as it wasn’t on the list.
There are plenty of interactive exhibits on which budding writers can hone their skills.
We spent a couple of hours here and the admission fee is $14 per person.
The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael R
Raleigh, NC25 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
I was curious about this museum as a high school science teacher. I went with a friend and thought we would just spend 20-30 minutes there to report to others what it was like. But, we were sucked in and spent close to an hour. It’s a small space (5-6 areas arranged in a circle). There are many interactive exhibits as well as information. It features all sorts of writing - novels, poetry, speeches, song, etc from people with diverse backgrounds. Certainly something for everyone to explore. Unexpected highlight of the trip. The entrance is on Michigan Avenue although there is a sign visible on Lake Street. Paid as we walked in. Hope they can increase the choices in the gift shop (pens or pencils?). Wanted to support them further and spread word to students.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vishwa A
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Solo
A place, a space, a magical energy, where a true lover of writing gets lost, flows with the deepest inspiration, joy, and resilience that lies within you. This museum is a treasure to protect and persevere. The interactive elements and creativity of all different ways it can engage a visitor is mindblowing, heartmelting, and mesmermizing. So many spaces to tap into different writing styles in history so far and within you as a writer, reader, and lover of ideas. I visited twice in the same week in my first ever Chicago visit. Both times my heart just didn't want to leave. I learned and amazed myself with many different forms of writing and lives of writers and poets. There are many fun elements to the place that could captivate from kids to people of all ages, identities, and values. This is place is definitely worth a visit, especially to travel worlds and infinities within one museum.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TNLikes2Travel
Tennessee95 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Readers and writers will thoroughly enjoy this interactive, “easy to pace yourself” museum. So well displayed and easy to navigate and enjoy. The exhibits bring a smile or a thought or a memory of a writer, book, or favorite quote. Well worth 2 hours or more. Highly recommend for teen age and above. Stools are located for relaxed time at the different exhibits. A wonderfully conceived and created museum!
Written 6 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane Elam
Columbia, MO292 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Definitely somewhat of a hidden gem of the city. This museum wasn’t mentioned as much as some of the other places while researching for this trip. I added it to the list in case I had time and I was able to make it and I’m glad I did. I love that they had a station with typewriters where you could type something and put it on the wall. I chose a quote that a writer friend of mine wrote that I absolutely love!
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA766 contributions
Jul 2023
The American Writers Museum contains an excellent summary of American writers in general and Chicago's in particular. Each of the featured writers in various mediums (fiction, poetry, screenplays, etc.) gets a brief introduction on a massive display wall plus a sample of their more famous sentences. Even if you don't recognize some of them, it's fun to see what they said that was particularly memorable.
There are also lots of interactive displays that allow visitors to try crafting their own literature. That should appeal to young students as well as older readers.
There are also lots of interactive displays that allow visitors to try crafting their own literature. That should appeal to young students as well as older readers.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long should we plan to be at the museum?
Written 28 February 2018
You could easily do the museum in an hour. We did it when it opened at 9 A.M. before the Art Museum opened at 10 A.M.
Written 5 April 2018
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