Bookshops in Chicago: Chicago has a vibrant student community and a rich cultural heritage. Students from all across the world come here to study. It becomes vital to escape from the demanding, tedious academic routine when studying in Chicago. A getaway can be quite beneficial for relieving stress and anxiety. This blog will give you relief from your boring life. Here, we’ll discuss the best five bookstores in Chicago. You will not only learn about the book stores, but also how you can reach the location, and the opening hours of these stores. Let’s read about the top five bookstores in Chicago that are a must-visit for students.
This Blog Includes:
Exile in Bookville
Exile in Bookville is one of the oldest bookstores in Chicago. From its position on the second floor of the 125-year-old Fine Arts Building to its name, which was derived from the legendary album by local legend Liz Phair, this bookstore is dripping with Chicago history. Even though there is a wide variety and several bookshelves to get lost in, the well-stocked music section is undoubtedly the highlight. Don’t miss the establishment’s captivating “Authors on Tap” series, which features notable local authors like Jeff Tweedy and Lindsay Hunter as well as poet José Olivarez.
How To Reach
Exile in Bookville is situated on the second floor of the historic Fine Arts Building at 410 S Michigan Ave in Chicago. You can easily reach the location via bus, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), or car. If you are planning to go by reach, you take a red/blue line to the Jackson stop. Some of the popular bus routes that run along Michigan Avenue are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 20, 56, 60, 147, 1and 51. Those coming by car can avail the Pay-to-park options on Van Buren.
Opening Hours
| Days | Timing |
| Monday to Saturday | 10 am – 7 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am – 4 pm |
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Open books
One of the largest secondhand bookstores in Chicago is Open Books, which offers a selection of more than 50,000 items. In addition to offering books at reasonable prices, Open Books impresses us with its altruistic business philosophy. The bookstore has space for 10,000 teen and children’s books, but it also engages in educational outreach, matching volunteers with local schools for its “reading buddy” programme and creative writing programme, utilising book revenues to support their initiatives.
How To Reach
Open Books in Chicago is situated in Pilsen at 905 W. 19th St. If you are taking public transportation, you can take the CTA Pink Line train to the 18th Street stop. The train is just a short walk from the location. Those coming by car should note that there can be parking restrictions. Parking may or may not be available. To come to the right location, use GPS or Google Maps.
Opening Hours
| Days | Timing |
| Monday to Thursday | 10 am – 6 pm |
| Friday to Sunday | 10 am – 7 pm |
Sandmeyer Bookstore
This family-run bookstore, which is based on the South Loop, has been in operation since 1982. The book collection at Sandmeyer’s Bookstore is fantastic, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. You can find plenty of new releases, travel guides, children’s novels and other literary delights on the shelves of the brick structure, so you won’t get bored on the train ride to your student accommodation in Chicago. Additionally, the store hosts sporadic readings and book release celebrations. Sandmeyer Bookstore is also one of the most visited bookstores in Chicago.
How To Reach
Sandmeyer’s Bookstore is located at 714 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605. It is in the Printer’s Row neighbourhood. The bookstore is situated right next to the Chicago Public Library. You can reach the destination by taking the blue or red line. Some of the bus lines in the area are 2, 6, 10, 22, 24, 29, 130, and 146.
Opening Hours
| Days | Timing |
| Monday to Wednesday | 11 am – 6:30 pm |
| Friday | 11 am – 6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am – 6:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am – 4 pm |
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The Book Cellar
The Book Cellar is a well-curated treasure for students who appreciate non-fiction and fiction books, and it’s housed in a modest location of Lincoln Square. The Book Cellar is an independently owned bookshop, café, and bistro with friendly personnel who are knowledgeable about their products. Anyone interested in participating in the literary conversation with the neighbourhood can attend any of the book club meetings and reading events hosted by the Book Cellar, or they can just drop by for a sandwich and a glass of wine in the late afternoon and hang out until the authors slam poets, or stand-up comedians (depending on the schedule!) arrive.
How To Reach
You can reach the Book Cellar in Chicago either by train or by bus. You can choose to take the Book Cellar in Chicago, leave the station, and walk east on Leland Avenue towards Lincoln Avenue. Thereafter, you can turn left. The bookstore is located on Lincoln Avenue, across the Giddings Plaza. The Ravenswood Metra station is only 15 minutes away.
Opening Hours
| Days | Timing |
| Monday to Friday | 10 am – 8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am – 6 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am – 4 pm |
Unabridged Bookstore
In Lakeside’s commercial area, the first in our list of the best bookshops in Chicago is located. This venerable establishment has been serving customers with the best works by regional writers since the 1980s. With a knowledgeable staff and a purist mentality, Unabridged Bookstore serves as one of the city’s oldest still-operating bookstores and one of its only homosexual bookstores. For students who love different types of books, this is a must-visit bookstore.
How To Reach
You can reach the Unabridged Bookstore by taking the “L” train to the Belmont station. This is the nearest stop. Another option is to take the 36 or 151 bus, and get off at the Belmont & Broadway (West), or Broadway & Belmont (North). The bookstore is located at 3251 N Broadway St in the Lakeview neighbourhood. There are also several bus routes in the area. You can get off at the 36 and 151 bus stop at or near the intersection of Belmont and Broadway.
Opening Hours
| Days | Timing |
| Monday to Sunday | 10 am – 7 pm |
FAQs
Yes, many of the above-mentioned bookstores offer reasonably priced books, making them great options for students.
Absolutely! Several of these bookshops, such as Exile in Bookville and The Book Cellar, regularly host events like author readings, book release celebrations, and book club meetings.
Yes, these bookstores offer a variety of genres. You can find everything from fiction, non-fiction in these popular book stores.
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The variety of independent bookshops in Chicago reflects a strong literary environment. Whether you’re looking for socially aware reading material, rare editions, or just a relaxing setting to explore the world of books, these bookshops have a vast selection of titles for each and every one.
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