Printers Row

Chicago

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

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 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

Things to do


Printers Row Hotel Deals

The Wade

The Wade

4.5 out of 5
644 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL
The price is CA $207 per night from Sep 4 to Sep 5
CA $207
CA $244 total
Sep 4 - Sep 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,226 reviews)
"It was very close to navy pier where it was just a 10 min way. And had a great view from our room. Facing the lake"

Reviewed on Aug. 27, 2025

The Wade
Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is CA $194 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $194
CA $228 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (9,045 reviews)
"Very convenient to South Loop sites!"

Reviewed on Aug. 26, 2025

Congress Plaza Hotel
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 CA $231 per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
CA $231
CA $271 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
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! (4,802 reviews)
"Very nice,everything is around.Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Aug. 27, 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL
The price is CA $292 per night from Sep 25 to Sep 26
CA $292
CA $377 total
Sep 25 - Sep 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,827 reviews)
"Hotel staff went above and beyond to make our stay great, even upgraded our room to a larger one for no extra charge!"

Reviewed on Aug. 26, 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 CA $213 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
CA $213
CA $250 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
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. ...
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
Freehand Chicago

Freehand Chicago

4 out of 5
19 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL
The price is CA $140 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
CA $140
CA $188 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
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. ...
Freehand Chicago
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 high-rise building and a city

South Loop

4/5(31 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, panoramic lake views, and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in South Loop. Top attractions like Soldier Field and Lake Michigan are major draws. Catch the metro at Roosevelt Station or Cermak-McCormick Place Station to see more of the city.

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

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4.5/5(725 area reviews)

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The Loop
South Loop showing night scenes and street scenes

Near South Side

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

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Near West Side

4/5(29 area reviews)

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Downtown Chicago showing 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

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