Printers Row Travel Guide

Chicago

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

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

Things to do


Top hotels in Printers Row

Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is Rp2.398.665 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp2.398.665
Rp2.815.795 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (9,498 reviews)
"The website for the gazebo restaurant within the hotel said there was an extensive menu. When you get down to the place it’s a small buffett set up which was similar to any other continental breakfast with some cereal, muffins, fruit, some biscuits, bacon and sausage etc. There was also a man at ..."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Congress Plaza Hotel
Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites

3.5 out of 5
198 E Delaware Pl, Chicago, IL
The price is Rp1.953.530 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
Rp1.953.530
Rp2.293.249 total
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness centre, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,142 reviews)
"Nice location, rooms were nice size beds were comfortable water pressure was great"

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites
Freehand Chicago

Freehand Chicago

4 out of 5
19 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL
The price is Rp1.328.859 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
Rp1.328.859
Rp1.852.073 total
10 Nov - 11 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,498 reviews)
"Great Vibe!"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Freehand Chicago
citizenM Chicago Downtown

citizenM Chicago Downtown

4 out of 5
80 East Wacker Place, Chicago, IL
The price is Rp2.169.526 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
Rp2.169.526
Rp2.546.806 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,963 reviews)
"Great spot next to the pendry"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

citizenM Chicago Downtown
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 Rp2.380.999 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
Rp2.380.999
Rp2.795.054 total
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5,122 reviews)
"Parking was terrible and expensive. Recommend valet parking. Staff, very hard to talk to and i arrived at 3:30 scheduled to check in at 4 pm. Room wasn't available until 4;30. Staff wasn't to concerned."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop

The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop

4 out of 5
171 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL
The price is Rp2.471.910 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
Rp2.471.910
Rp3.432.656 total
20 Nov - 21 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,151 reviews)
"It was a beautiful property in a spectacular location. Close to transit, and walkable to everything in the loop. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop
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 which includes a city and a high-rise building

South Loop

3/5(3 area reviews)

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 which includes 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 featuring a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(187 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 which includes street scenes and night 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
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Near West Side

4.5/5(14 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