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Literary Chicago

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Vibrant stories, scenes, and the writers who bring them to life have quite the legacy in Chicago, and bibliophiles who want to experience this intriguing side of the city have many places to explore. From the historic home of a great American poet to the notorious landmarks of a gripping true-crime novel, fascinating museums, and libraries, have a look at one inspiring literary landscape.

Home of Carl Sandburg

On the North Side of Chicago in the Ravenswood neighborhood lies 4646 North Hermitage Avenue. While the home may be unassuming at first, know that inside its walls, the great poet Carl Sandburg lived there with his family and penned his moving poem “Chicago” and other works. Although the house is not open to the public, it makes for a nice addition on any self-guided walking tour of the area.

Newberry Library

People who have read “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger will recognize this Chicago landmark as the place of employment of the character Henry. Established in 1886, the humanities library is free and open to the public, and regularly hosts engaging events, such as book talks to tours, film screenings, exhibits, and is a rather lovely place to just get lost in the stacks. 

The Devil & the White City Tour

Suspense, intrigue. and the real-life tale of a serial killer H.H. Holmes and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago are all part of The Devil & the White City Tour offered by Weird Tours. The tour based on the book by Erik Larson travels to sites where the mysterious murderer sought his unfortunate victims, but also provides an in-depth look into the fair and 19th-century Chicago.

American Writers Museum

Since opening in 2017, the American Writers Museum attracts fans of fiction and non-fiction to its wondrous space nestled downtown between the Chicago River and Millennium Park. The interactive space celebrates all genres of writing and engages visitors with dynamic exhibits, such as Tools of the Trade featuring an impressive collection of typewriters including one owned by Ernest Hemingway, as well as enriching programs such as the weekly Little Squirrels Storytime for preschoolers.

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum

See where it all started for the acclaimed author of The Sun Also Rises, The Old Man and The Sea, For Whom he Bell Tolls and other literature classics. Set just outside Chicago in the community of Oak Park is the house where Ernest Hemingway spent the first six years of his life. The docent-guided tours of the Queen Anne home offer a glimpse of the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer’s early years with colorful stories, furnishings and artifacts. 

What to Do in 2020

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Now that everyone is settling nicely into the new year, it’s time to make fun plans to get out in the months ahead. Locals and visitors to Chicago will be glad to know that 2020 entices with exciting new experiences, so be sure to keep these events and attractions on your radar the next time you want to explore the city.

Food Finds: Time Out Market Chicago

When it comes to eating and entertainment, food lovers will want to make their way to the West Loop to experience the newly opened Time Out Market Chicago at 916 W. Fulton Market. Curated by Time Out editors, the 50,000 square foot tri-level space features the best of the city under one roof including eats from the city’s outstanding chefs and restaurateurs such as the Band of Bohemia brewpub and Chef Thai Dang of HaiSous’s modern Vietnamese creations, three bars, and impressive skyline views. On the second floor, is where to find interesting experiences year-round from wellness workshops to craft markets.

Lunar New Year: Year of the Rat

Gong xi fa cai! Lunar New Year is upon us and Chicago will host a citywide celebration from January 24 through February 9, 2020, to showcase the Year of the Rat. From concerts to cultural performances and culinary, there will be lively festivities all around including the Official Chinese New Year Kickoff Event at Chicago Cultural Center with lions, dragons, and martial arts, oh my!  

Traditional Chinese music and theater will be on dramatic display during the Sixth Annual Chinese New Year Celebration Concert at Chicago Symphony Center on Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m.Organized in collaboration with the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China, the afternoon program will feature the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra led by Yao Shenshen who will perform original and classic pieces such as “Dancing Birds” and “The Silk Road,” and the Zhejiang Shaoju Opera Theatre with a repertoire of instrumental music, vocals, dance, acrobatics and more.

On Sunday, February 2, the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade is not one to miss with colorful floats, marching bands and special guests making their way up Wentworth Avenue to Cermak Road, A week later, the Lunar New Year Lantern Procession and Celebration will illuminate the city from Millennium Park to Maggie Daley Park and feature artmaking and other activities from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Hoop Dreams: NBA All-Star Weekend 2020

No big deal, but basketball’s biggest players are coming to town for NBA All-Star Game taking place on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at the United Center, home of the six-time NBA champion, the Chicago Bulls. Plenty is happening all weekend, including the NBA Crossover at Navy Pier February 14-16 featuring a showcase of basketball, culture, art, and technology with player appearances, performances, and other cool stuff.

Marveling at Masterpieces

The Chicago Institute of Art hosts two blockbuster exhibitions in 2020. On view March 7-June 21, El Greco: Ambition and Defiance features 55 works from the legendary painter, sculptor and architect including one of his final creations, “The Adoration of the Shepherds.” The second show not to miss is Monet and Chicago. Happening May 10-September 7, the major exhibit delves into the pioneering connection between the Father of Impressionism and the great Midwestern city, and features 65 paintings from still life to luscious landscapes in his signature style.

Music for the Masses: Year of Chicago Music

Get ready for awesome concerts and live shows because 2020 is the Year of Chicago Music. The celebration showcases a variety of homegrown music styles from blues to gospel and house. This summer watch out for a 17-day music festival starting Memorial Day weekend.

As you can see, there is a lot to look forward to in 2020!

Where to Ring in the New Year

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When it comes to bidding adieu to 2019 and starting the decade in good spirits, Chicago offers quite a few festivities to mark the occasion. Whether you’re in the mood to dress up and party, join other revelers for the midnight countdown, or enjoy a meal and views with your favorite people, here are some fantastic ways to celebrate on New Year’s Eve!

Nice and Early

Parents who want their kids to be part of the fun don’t have to wait until after the sun goes down. The Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is hosting Noon Year’s Eve on Tuesday, December 31st, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 in the Great Hall. The all-ages event begins with arts and crafts, and the little ones get to make their very own crown, which they can wear to the dance party leading up to the big confetti drop when the clock strikes noon.

Cruising Into 2020 Like…

What an awesome way to usher in the New Year than on the water onboard a scenic dinner cruise of Chi-Town? The Spirit of Chicago offers a New Year’s Eve Lunch Cruise on December 31, 2019, complete with a delicious buffet-style lunch menu, complimentary hot coffee and tea, and a stocked cash bar, as well as dancing and DJ entertainment. Boarding begins at 11 a.m. at Navy Pier, and the cruise takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Lake Michigan.

For those who want an evening experience, Odyssey Cruises takes guests on the Chicago River for its Riverfront New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner that departs from the River Esplanade and includes a savory menu, Platinum open bar and champagne toast at midnight, DJ entertainment, dancing and excellent seats to the fireworks show. Boarding starts at 8:30. The cruise takes place from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 

Party Favors and Fireworks

Colorful pyrotechnics will illuminate the Chicago skyline, and everyone will want to be in a nice spot. 360 Chicago invites thrill-seekers to grab a few party favors, sip on sparkling wine, and take in the spectacular fireworks, as well as unlimited rides on the TILT thrill ride all night long.

Over at the Riverwalk, there will be plenty of room to marvel at the free New York Eve Blast from local restaurants and other happening venues, and last, but certainly not least, Navy Pier will continue its timeless tradition of perfectly synchronized fireworks over Lake Michigan. Be there.

Winter Wonderland

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It is that time of year to bundle up to explore the best of Chicago indoors and out this beautiful season. Whether practicing figure eights, playing in the snow, or staying nice and warm at one of the lively events around the city, exhilarating experiences await all winter long. Keep these possibilities in mind the next time you’re up for something to do.

Hit the Ice

Ice skating is the quintessential winter activity, and there are quite a few noteworthy spots devoted to the pastime. Over at Millennium Park, the McCormick Tribute Rink attracts beginner and seasoned skaters alike. The best part is that admission is free. The only thing you need to pay for is the skate rentals. Open through March 8, 2020, the seasonal rink also hosts free ice-skating lessons on select mornings and features a DJ on the first and third Thursday of the month.

Downtown, Maggie Daley Park provides a picturesque spin in nature with the Scenic Skating Ribbon that stays open through early March.

Finally, The Peninsula Sky Rink, located on the fourth-floor terrace of The Peninsula Chicago Hotel, offers a chic take on ice skating with music, awesome views of The Magnificent Mile, and drinks and dishes to keep everyone toasty. Plus, you’ll be skating for a good cause since all the proceeds from the rink benefit children’s charities.

Snow Days

Thrilling times are ahead when the temperature drops, and snow lovers can look forward to frolicking outdoors at the Soldier Field Sledding Hill. The vertical fun happens on the 35-foot slope located at Museum Campus, whether there is real snow or not, thanks to a snow-making machine courtesy of The Chicago Park District that will provide plenty of artificial powder. It is recommended to call (312-235-7000) ahead of time since sledding is not always available. 

Siberian Huskies, Wolves and More, Oh My!

The 14th Annual Polar Adventure Days return to Northerly Island on January 25 and February 29, 2020, offering two Saturday afternoons of outdoor adventure for the entire family. Everyone will have a blast making nature-inspired crafts, seeing Siberian huskies and wolves, and exploring the birds of prey at the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Active types can go snowshoeing if there is enough of the fluffy white stuff on the ground, or just simply sit back and sip on their hot cocoa. Admission is free.

Architectural Treasures

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Iconic skyscrapers and striking structures have catapulted Chicago to the forefront of the world architectural map. From the innovative ideas brought to life by the Chicago School to the distinctive design of Frank Lloyd Wright and the modern spaces by international “starchitects,” the city offers many buildings to admire. You just have to know where to go.

From the Ground Up

There is no better place to learn about local landmarks and neighborhoods than the Chicago Architecture Center. Founded in 1966, the cultural organization continues to inspire millions of people to learn why design matters with more than 85 tours such as Chicago’s Icons: Connecting Past and Present, which centers on the old and new buildings of downtown and covers a range of styles from 19th-Century Commercial to Beaux-Arts and Postmodern before culminating in Millennium Park. Another possibility is Historic Skyscrapers, which delves into the history and engineering of notable towers such as The Rookery, an exquisite building by architects Daniel Burnham and John Root featuring Moorish and Romanesque accents along with a Prairie-style interior atrium by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Auditorium Building by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, which was completed in 1889 and was the largest building in the United States and the tallest in Chicago at the time of its construction.

Across Communities: Chicago Architectural Biennial

As the largest exhibition of contemporary architecture, art, and design in North America, the Chicago Architectural Biennial inspires people to get out and about to explore the environment around them. More than 40 venues citywide are opening doors for this exciting event that features independent programming through January 5, 2020, including the main exhibition “…and other such stories” at the Chicago Cultural Center, the former library known as the “People’s Palace, featuring works from participants from more than 20 countries. Other activities include the exhibition “The Shape of the Future” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, a self-guided tour of the Tiffany Trail featuring the stained glass works of Louis Comfort Tiffany and tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Chicago including the Frederick C. Robie House in Hyde Park, to name a few.

Taking It All In

What better way to check out the scenery than from an architectural marvel in its own right? Standing at 100 stories, the former John Hancock Building, now known simply by its address, 875 North Michigan Avenue, boasts breathtaking 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan from The Signature Room at the 95th Floor and The Signature Lounge at the 96th Floor, where you can also enjoy stellar food and drinks from the perfect vantage point.