Printers Row Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Printer\'s Row featuring a city, street scenes and a high-rise building
Printer\'s Row which includes street scenes and a city
Printer\'s Row showing a city and heritage architecture
Printer\'s Row which includes a garden
Printer\'s Row showing heritage architecture and a high-rise building

Chicago’s historic printing and publishing neighbourhood is a booklover’s paradise, home to numerous bookstores and the host of an annual literature festival.

Printers Row is a small residential neighbourhood in central Chicago and a favourite among literature enthusiasts. It takes its name from the city’s printing and publishing industry, which occupied many of the area’s buildings in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wander the streets of Printers Row to see landmark buildings and remnants of the printing era. Shop in hundreds of bookstalls and attend the Printers Row Lit Fest.

Stroll along South Dearborn Street, which was once the heart of Chicago’s printing and publishing activities. Buildings designed by leading Chicago architects and featuring original signage previously housed publishing companies. Some of the most notable are the Fisher Building and Monadnock Building. Many have now been turned into commercial and residential properties.

Admire the imposing Dearborn Station and its 12-story Romanesque clock tower. Now an office and retail centre, it was once Chicago’s principal terminal for passenger trains. Relax in the tree-shaded confines of the adjacent Dearborn Park.

Browse the handful of bookstores that remain in the district. Rummage through the collections for everything from best-selling novels to children’s titles, travel guides and rare finds. Pause for a drink, light snack or dinner at the cafés, fast-food spots, pubs and restaurants. Catch a performance by recognised jazz musicians at the intimate Jazz Showcase.

Visit in June for the 2-day Printers Row Lit Fest. Listen to talks by authors, chefs, journalists and television personalities, among others. Previous speakers include Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Peruse the stands of over 200 booksellers spread along five blocks of Dearborn Street for antique, new and used books.

Printers Row is directly south of the Loop – Downtown district and easy to reach via public transportation. The closest L train station is Harrison. Walk 15 minutes east to Grant Park. This sprawling park has orderly gardens, public art installations and museums. It’s also the venue for major city festivals such as Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Printers Row Hotel Deals

Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$226 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$226
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (9,333 reviews)
"Very clean"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Congress Plaza Hotel
Freehand Chicago

Freehand Chicago

4 out of 5
19 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$185 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
AU$185
4 Nov - 5 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,425 reviews)
"Excellent location, clean and good room partners"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Freehand Chicago
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North

4 out of 5
600 N State St, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$300 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
AU$300
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5,052 reviews)
"good"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites

3.5 out of 5
198 E Delaware Pl, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$256 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
AU$256
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,034 reviews)
"Awesome hotel. Super nice staff!"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

3 out of 5
10 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$311 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$311
20 Oct - 21 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,021 reviews)
Downtown Chicago HGI
"Very comfortable stay, excellent location."

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG

4.5 out of 5
505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$380 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$380
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,470 reviews)
"Great Location."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Printers Row

South Loop featuring a city and a high-rise building

South Loop

4/5(1 area review)

Soldier Field and Lake Michigan are a few top attractions in South Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Roosevelt Station or Cermak-McCormick Place Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops.

South Loop
Chicago showing rides

Theatre District

While you're in Theatre District, take in top sights like Michigan Avenue or State Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Washington Station or Monroe Station (Blue Line).

Theatre District
The Loop - Downtown which includes a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(93 area reviews)

Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan are a few top attractions in The Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Washington Station or Lake Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

The Loop
South Loop featuring night scenes and street scenes

Near South Side

Travellers choose Near South Side for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Cermak-McCormick Place Station or Roosevelt Station and check out top sights like Soldier Field.

Near South Side
Default Image

Near West Side

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Live music, theatres and shopping highlight some notable features of Near West Side. Make a stop by United Center or Credit Union 1 Arena while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Racine Station or Polk Station (Pink Line) to get around town.

Near West Side
Downtown Chicago featuring a city

Downtown Chicago

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and gorgeous architecture, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Chicago. Top attractions like Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Chicago


Printers Row Travel Guide

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