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 neighborhood in central Chicago and a favorite 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 center, 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 recognized 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$242 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$242
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (8,921 reviews)
"Took water awhile to get hot for shower, and parking is ridiculously expensive. Other than that enjoyed staying at hotel"

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Congress Plaza Hotel
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$350 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
AU$350
22 Aug - 23 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,835 reviews)
"The property if beautiful and historic. The main room is incredible. The rooms are well taken care of, you can just tell they are a little dated with a slight smell. I would definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
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$276 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$276
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (3,635 reviews)
"I liked the security and safeness. I did not like that there was no valet/door person to help with bags, when spending thousands of dollars I would expect a door person to be there to assist with bags out of car and up to room and would also appreciate complimentary water each day not 2 bottles in ..."

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
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$312 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
AU$312
3 Sept - 4 Sept
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! (4,657 reviews)
"Great breakfast, missed happy hour tho. Shower was mediocre by because water pressure was not good. Room was very nice."

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
citizenM Chicago Downtown

citizenM Chicago Downtown

4 out of 5
80 East Wacker Place, Chicago, IL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$281 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
AU$281
26 Aug - 27 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,526 reviews)
"It is a compact space- efficient property. Good but stiff king size bed, bathroom with a high quality shower. Love the windows and the tech associated features to it each room. amenities are early accessible. The bar and rooftop are awesome. Cleanliness is good. I guess it would’ve been nice to have ..."

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

citizenM Chicago Downtown
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$258 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$258
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (2,584 reviews)
"Great all around!"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites
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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