If there’s one city every book lover should have on their map, it’s Chicago. Between big names and hidden gems, the Windy City is bursting with bookshops showcasing shelves full of both new releases and well-loved classics.
The next time you come to Chicago, don’t miss these bookstores.
Barnes & Noble
Close to Wicker Park, you’ll find one of the city’s most well-known bookshops, Barnes & Noble. It’s a true display of both literature and architecture, with fabulous ceiling art and neatly arranged shelves featuring different covers, stationery, and games.
Each of the sections has its own dedicated theme, so it’s super easy to find something you like. From the specialized fiction zone to areas focused on new releases, there’s enough here to keep you busy for the day.
Address: 1601 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
Armadillo’s Pillow Inc
Armadillo’s Pillow Inc. offers a cozy, eclectic atmosphere filled with character and charm, where books are stacked in creative, unexpected ways. This little maze of shelves is crammed with used texts, along with all kinds of other bits and pieces like records, photographs, and more. Exploring here always feels like a new adventure because there’s no telling what book you’ll come across next.
Whatever you’ve got in mind for your literary fix, chances are Armadillo’s Pillow Inc. has it on its shelves. From history to children’s texts, the range of topics here is nothing short of impressive.
Address: 6753 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626, United States
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Friday: 12PM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
Unabridged Bookstore
Established in 1980, Unabridged has been hugely popular with the local community ever since it opened its doors. Its handpicked inventory, carefully curated by the employees, has a variety of specialties, including interesting travel books and a strong LGBTQ+ section. They’ve also received much praise for their focus on local authors.
Unabridged has a charming yet simple layout, with just the right mix of light that brings special attention to all its books.
Address: 3251 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
Exile in Bookville
Exile in Bookville is an independent bookshop tucked away on the second floor of Chicago’s Fine Arts Building. As you enter this place, the scent of books instantly fills the air, drawing you through the small space with wooden shelves stretching right up to the ceiling.
You’ll be treated to a great mix of literature at Exile in Bookville, with many titles from independent writers, along with a sizable vinyl collection for those interested.
Address: Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave suite 210, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 4PM
Open Books
Open Books is a non-profit bookstore that aims to empower the community through the love of reading. Here, they sell both new and used books at fair prices, which many appreciate, especially given how expensive other stores in the area can be.
They also have a donation bin, where customers can bring in their old books and donate them whenever they’re ready to pass them on.
Address: 651 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday, Friday, and Wednesday: 10:30AM – 6PM
– Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:30AM – 2PM and 2:45 – 6PM
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery
Come and check out Semicolon’s stack of texts focused on minority authors. This welcoming community space serves as both a non-profit and a gallery in one, with a homely atmosphere, trendy aesthetics, and lots of niche topics like Black history.
The staff who work here are what make it special. It’s clear that they’ve read all the books on their shelves, so if you ask them for a recommendation, they’ll find something that aligns with your interests.
Address: 1355 W Chicago Ave Unit Store, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
Opening hours:
– Temporarily closed
Slant of Light Books
Slant of Light Books feels like walking into someone’s living room. Between the cozy fireplace, cluster of armchairs in the center, and the open walls lined with tall shelves overflowing with new and used books, it has so much character.
In-store, there’s a diverse range of literature, including sci-fi, history, romance, and more. As you walk around, you’ll also come across a cards and gifts section that’s worth a look.
Address: 1543 N Wells St Garden Level, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 9AM – 5PM
– Monday: Closed
Open Books Logan Square
Another Open Books location that you need to visit is their shop in Logan Square. Spanning two levels, it offers everything people love about Open Books, like cheap prices and the option to trade in. Plus, they also regularly host events that make a visit even more enjoyable.
Inside the shop, you’ll find a few seats, though it’s more of a quick-stop spot to explore and pick up something that catches your eye. The selection is impressive, featuring a wide range of genres from biographies to classic fiction.
Address: 2068 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Sunday: 10:30AM – 6PM
– Tuesday and Thursday: 10:30AM – 2PM and 2:40PM – 6PM
Sandmeyer’s Bookstore
Situated in Chicago’s Printer’s Row District, Sandmeyer’s Bookstore is a classic, family-run indie shop that has new books for every interest. There’s an almost industrial feel to the interior of their shop, with brick walls, pipes running across the ceiling, and creaking floors as customers get lost among the bookcases.
Sandmeyer’s Bookstore receives plenty of visitors for its monthly book club, which is popular among local bibliophiles who want to meet up and converse over literature.
Address: 714 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 10AM – 7PM
– Thursday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
The Book Cellar
A female-owned bookshop and café, the Book Cellar on Lincoln Avenue, blends interesting reads with fine wines. Founded in 2004, they invite literary enthusiasts to explore their selection, with plenty of picks from first-time authors, while enjoying a glass of wine at the same time.
The shop is laid out with shelves lining the entire space and a small seating area in the center, while the café and bar are open for anyone who wants to grab a drink to have with their books.
Address: 4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 4PM
Myopic Books
A hidden collection of more than 60,000 written works awaits at Myopic Books in the Wicker Park district. This is the area’s largest used bookshop, spread across three floors, with literature on every topic imaginable from end to end.
If you happen to have some old covers lying around in specific genres such as street art or photography, be sure to bring them along, as they’re actively searching for these types of books.
Address: 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 12AM – 8PM
57th Street Books
Step downstairs into 57th Street Books, a partially underground store filled with rows upon rows of shelves buried beneath the city. Their basement location is made all the more appealing with its low-lying ceilings and rustic walls that add to the charm.
Visitors will find everything here, with sections on science fiction as well as many general-interest titles. Moreover, the owner of 57th Street Books has another shop in the area, so if you’re struggling to find a particular book, they may have it there, so don’t forget to ask.
Address: 1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday to Friday: 11AM – 6PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
City Lit Books
Whether you want to pick up some poetry or a good old graphic novel, City Lit Books has all readers covered at their shop in Logan Square. It might be on the smaller side, but it’s easy to lose yourself here, especially since each shelf has written notes describing each section and some staff recommendations, spoiling customers for choice.
Another big draw of City Lit Books is that it’s a dog-friendly store. That means you can bring your furry friends along for a browse without having to leave them outside.
Address: 2523 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
RoscoeBooks
Against the blue-painted walls of RoscoeBooks, white shelves shine with rows of stories. Romance, thrillers, and true crime are ready to pick up from their in-store collection, as is a wealth of other topics if you choose to order online.
RoscoeBooks hosts plenty of book launches and author events, with updates shared online ahead of time for anyone who wants to join.
Address: 2142 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
Pilsen Community Books
A strictly employee-owned shop, Pilsen Community Books is a store where many of the books focus on left-leaning topics. The stock here is spread out in a spacious setting with pendant lighting and tables laid out with specific texts on them.
The selection at Pilsen Community Books isn’t limited to English-language books; they also sell a range of titles in Spanish. One more worth mentioning is that anyone who owns a PCP tote bag and brings it will get 10% off their order.
Address: 1102 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 11AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
