American Writers Museum Admission Ticket
Description
In the heart of downtown Chicago, the American Writers Museum celebrates all genres of writing through interactive exhibits and programming. From Twain to Tupac, there's a story here for everyone. Discover for yourself and visit today! Named Illinois' Best Attraction by USA Today and One of the 10 Best New Museums in the World by Fodor's. Flexible Date Entry
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visitors will explore the great writers’ hometowns and learn about all of the AWM Affiliate homes in Writers Hall. In A Nation of Writers they will learn about and celebrate authors who are emblematic of a unique American Voice, across history, genre, and mediums, from poets to sportswriters . Galleries such as The Mind of a Writer will de-mystify famed writers’ works and methodologies and invite visitor creativity with games and other immersive offerings. The Wintrust Chicago Gallery will delve into the great writers, literary influencers, characters, and groups that shaped the city’s unique literary tradition. Featured in the Meijer Gallery is the temporary exhibit, My America: Immigrant and Refugee Writers Today explores contemporary writing by immigrants through various themes. The Tools of the Trade exhibit in the Roberta Rubin Writer’s Room focuses on the tools used by famous American writers through history, from Frederick Douglass to Helen Keller to Maya Angelou.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Students qualify for the senior rate, must present a valid student ID upon arrival
- The Museum welcomes all visitors and we hope to make our exhibits and programming accessible to all. To that end, the following services are offered: Button activated doors at the building entrance Elevator access to the 2nd floor A large, gender-neutral, family restroom Wide restroom stalls with grab bars
- Button activated doors at the building entrance
- Elevator access to the 2nd floor
- A large, gender-neutral, family restroom
- Wide restroom stalls with grab bars
- Please note that tickets are good for a year from original date
Reviews(74)
As an avid reader for 55 years, and a huge fan of niche museums, I expected to love this museum. The children’s section was fun with displays and back stories on the authors of childhood favorites. The”which March sister are you?” was worth looking at. Learned that the illustrator for Charlotte’s Web also illustrated the Little House on the Prairie series. Wonderful mural of a tree featuring many childhood favorite books amongst the branches. The section on adult books, however, I found boring. It was somewhat interesting to consider that advertising slogans, song lyrics and screenplays are all “writing work products “too. But the interactive pieces didn’t hold my attention and my friend and I gave up after looking at a half dozen of them. The museum was crowded this Saturday but few people were looking at the adult book displays. While both my friend and I are well educated and lifelong readers, we guesstimated that we had read <5% of the books featured. There is a 1950’s soda shop booth with a tabletop jukebox and a “menu” with song lyrics. This might have been engaging but one of the buttons was stuck and it wasn’t working well. The gift shop was tiny but well stocked with several amusing things for sale like a spiral notebook mocked up to look like a Nancy Drew book and a purse that resembled a typewriter. Guests were invited to take a complimentary bookmark featuring their favorite author which was generous. Who knows what the mission of this museum is, but I would recommend skipping it.
Lots of fun ways to interact with the work of American writers and see what their inspiration and influences were. If you like reading and literature, this is the museum for you.
Fascinating museum about writers in American. Stayed much longer than we expected. Free tours on the hour - highly recommend.
The staff gave a helpful 3 pm tour that explained the organization and features of the many exhibits. Inspiring. Especially enjoyed the section on Chicago writers as an out-of-town tourist.
Vet informative in a very creative presentation.. you learn what an art writing ia. Great value too.
There is so much packed into this small space. Great reminders of the literary legagy of many writers. Interactive, including gaming, LARP, and a children's room. An unexpected gem.
It was very informative. Love the displays and presentations. Great history on American writers. I highly recommend!
Interesting idea. There were some cool interactive things to do. I was hoping for more, especially about authors I wasn’t familiar with.
This museum was even better than I anticipated. If you have a passion for literature, language, and the creative writing process, then you should visit this Chicago museum. It is filled with books (from children to adults), interactive games, and beautiful exhibits that celebrate the heritage of authors as well as their contributions. We spent about an hour but if you find a nice book to read, you may be tempted to sit and stay longer. I recommend this tour for educators, students, history buffs, and travelers who seek a unique cultural experience.
It's a cute, small museum. There's so much information contained within I got a little overwhelmed. I loved the interactiveness of the exhibits, especially the old typewriters they had for public use. It was very quiet when I went, with only a small handful of people around
