Tours and Tickets to Experience Harold Washington Library Center (Chicago Public Library)

There are plenty of ways to experience the Harold Washington Library Center (Chicago Public Library). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Chicago City Tour: Elevated Architecture Tour with Train Ticket Included

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• Downtown Chicago TV and Movie Sites Guided Walking Tour

• Private Downtown Chicago TV and Movie Sites Guided Walking Tour

• Chicago Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Free Bike or Kayak Rental

Harold Washington Library Center is open to the public for free, so there’s no cost to enter. However, if you’d like to visit the Chicago Public Library on a guided tour, count on paying around US$40 for a small-group downtown tour that includes a ride on the L.

Yes, Harold Washington Library Center is a fantastic option for families. There’s a special kid-focused activity center on the second floor, Thomas Hughes Children’s Library. The library features computers, reading materials, toys, and special music and arts events targeting kids from newborns to 8th graders.

Harold Washington Library Center hosts events year-round, so there’s no wrong month to visit. Keep in mind that the library closes on federal holidays, including Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The shoulder seasons are typically most pleasant weather-wise, so consider visiting Chicago in spring or fall.

Yes, the Harold Washington Library Center is accessible to visitors with disabilities. There’s a designated space called the Assistive Resources Center, where visitors with either physical disabilities or visual impairments can use tools like a braille embosser or an accessible computer. Reservations must be made in advance.

No, the Harold Washington Library Center doesn’t offer free parking. However, there are plenty of paid options in the neighborhood on streets like North and South Dearborn, South Federal, and West Monroe. Parking spots can be reserved in advance, and you can pay either by cash or credit card.