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Skip the Line: American Writers Museum Admission Ticket

Skip the Line: American Writers Museum Admission Ticket

Overview

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! 180 N. Michigan Avenue. Reopens May 14, 2021. Named Illinois' Best Attraction by USA Today and One of the 10 Best New Museums in the World by Fodor's.

City: Chicago

Mon 24 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $14.00

Make a reservation

Mon 24 Feb

Starting at $14.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Skip the line ticket

Route and map

Meeting point

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Chicago
180 N Michigan Ave, 2nd Floor

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Additional Info

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
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Face Coverings Required For Unvaccinated Visitors

What To Expect

American Writers Museum

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.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (49)

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Taylor B

Sep 2020

For a retired newspaperman, the American Writers Museum is a treasure trove of literary history and interactive displays and fascinating exhibits that document and highlight authors and writings from more than five centuries. Located on the second floor of an office building at 180 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, not far from Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago, the 11,000-square-foot museum was established in 2010 and opened in 2017, the brainchild of Malcolm O'Hagan, a retired executive from Washington D.C. After visiting the Dublin Writers Museum in his native Ireland in 2009, O'Hagan began to wonder why there wasn't a similar museum in the United States. He chose Chicago for his new museum because of its strong tourist traffic and rich literary history. In fact, that's the subject of one of the most interesting galleries in the venue, Chicago: A City of Writers. It recalls the brilliant work of Carl Sandburg, Nelson Algren, Ben Hecht, James T. Farrell, Ernest Hemingway, Sherwood Anderson, Scott Turow, Gwendolyn Brooks, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Mike Royko. Don't look for manuscripts, first editions, rare books and artifacts. Instead, there are interactive touch screens and high-tech multimedia installations galore. I always am enamored by the table of vintage typewriters. I remember when I used a Smith-Corona in college. Also the 85-foot-long interactive wall that highlights 100 notable writers chronologically. Minds of a Writer focuses on creativity and process. Surprise Bookshelf offers 100 memorable phrases, including Timex's "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking" advertising slogan. There's an interactive touch-screen table where visitors can dig deeply into the history and meaning of 25 masterworks, including The Great Gatsby. And another interactive display allows you to compare your writing habits and skills to those of the greats. See how you compare to the writings of Melville, Hemingway, Hawthorne, Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer, Harper Lee, W.E.B. DuBois, James Baldwin, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Laura Ingalls Wilder, even Prince, Bob Dylan and Tupac Shakur. The museum is a celebration of American literature, a great way to recognize the enduring influence of American writers on our history, culture and daily lives.

Rene C

Jun 2020

If you love writers, quotes, and books you'll be so happy you stopped here. Short descriptions and key facts of every American writer are highlighted as well as some key "writer" artifacts - like typewriters. So cool.

JanR1457

Feb 2020

I really enjoyed this Museum, I like the way it's set out with writers shown in historical sequence. A terrific display of Bob Dylan's writing and awards, (this is a changeable display). This is great for keen readers or people interested in History and how it informs the writing at each historical event. There's also an interactive room where I found many suggestions from visitors of books to read. I spent about two hours here but really could have spent many more hours. I liked the little Museum shop also, a good place to get mementos. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The museum is easy to find and is in a grand and lovely building.