Visit - FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Newberry’s parking lot is not open to visitors, but garage parking is available in the neighborhood. The nearest parking garage is located at 100 West Chestnut Street. We validate tickets for discounted parking at this garage ($12 for up to eight hours; after eight hours, regular rates apply).
Limited metered parking can be found on area streets through the Park Chicago app. Daytime and evening parking restrictions apply, so be sure to read the posted signs carefully.
From the Kennedy Expressway (I-90)
Exit Ohio Street east, and follow Ohio about one mile to Dearborn Street. Turn left on Dearborn and go a half-mile north to Walton Street. The Newberry will be on your left, at the corner of Dearborn and Walton
From Lake Shore Drive (US Highway 41)
Exit Lake Shore Drive onto LaSalle Drive. After a quarter-mile, turn left on Clark Street. Take Clark for about one mile. The Newberry will be on your left, between Oak and Walton streets. Please note: Walton is one-way westbound, so you cannot take a left onto Walton from Clark.
By Train (the "L")
Red Line Clark/Division stop: Upon exiting the station, walk south on Clark Street (away from Division Street) four blocks. The Newberry is located on the corner of Clark and Walton streets, facing Washington Square Park.
Red Line Chicago stop: Upon exiting the station, walk west to Dearborn Street. Take a right on Dearborn and walk north three blocks to Walton Street. The Newberry is located on the corner of Dearborn and Walton.
Brown Line: The closest Brown Line stop is at Chicago Avenue. Exit the station on Chicago Avenue, and walk east three blocks to Clark Street. Take a left on Clark, and walk north three blocks to Walton Street. The Newberry is located on the corner of Clark and Walton Streets.
By Bus
#22 Bus: Coming from the south, the #22 bus (Clark/Dearborn route) stops at the Newberry's front door on Walton Street. From the north, the #22 bus stops on the west side of the library (near the intersection of Oak and Clark Streets).
#70 Bus: The #70 bus (Division route) stops at the Newberry's front door on Walton Street. Other convenient bus lines include the #66 (Chicago route), #36 (Broadway route), and #156 (LaSalle route).
By Commuter Rail
Amtrak: Trains arrive at Union Station.
Metra: The Chicago area's commuter rail system operates at four major stations: Ogilvie Transportation Center, Millennium Station, LaSalle Street Station, and Union Station.
South Shore Line: Trains run between South Bend, Indiana, and Chicago (Millennium Station).
Once you arrive at any of these train stations, you can get to the Newberry using public transportation or via taxi or ride-sharing app.
You’re welcome to visit our exhibition spaces anytime the Newberry galleries are open. The best way to see the rest of the library is by taking one of our regularly scheduled guided tours.
Tour schedule:
Tuesdays at 11:30am
Thursdays at 1pm
Saturdays at 10:30am
No! The Newberry is free and open to everyone. Anyone 14 or older can do research using our collection in the library reading rooms free of charge. There is no cost to visiting exhibitions or attending public programs.
No. We are actually named for a different Newberry. Our founder, Walter Newberry, was a civic leader who arrived in Chicago in the 1830s. John Newbery was an English publisher who helped establish children’s literature as a distinct genre.
The Newberry is an independent research library with a non-circulating collection of unique primary sources. Although we aren’t part of the public library system, we are free and open to the public. Anyone can visit our exhibitions or attend our public programs. Researchers who are 14 or older are invited to sign up for a Newberry reader’s card to start using our collection in the library.
A small lounge on the Newberry’s main floor is open to visitors. The reading rooms on our upper floors are intended for researchers who are actively using the Newberry collection. What are you studying? What are you interested in learning about? Odds are there’s something in our collection that will spark your curiosity.
No. The Newberry is a non-circulating library, which means all items in the Newberry collection are available for you to use in our reading rooms. Because many items require special care and handling, and are irreplaceable if lost or damaged, they cannot be checked out and taken home.
The Newberry collects, preserves, and provides access to primary sources in the humanities (such as rare books, manuscripts, and maps). Our collection also includes secondary literature that can help researchers interpret and understand original source materials.
Have more questions about our collection?
If you're 14 or older and have a research interest related to our collection, you can sign up for a Newberry reader's card. When you visit the Newberry for the first time, we'll give you your reader's card and a brief orientation on how to use the library.
We're always working to make Newberry collections, programs, and exhibitions as accessible as possible
The Newberry is located near many casual and fine dining establishments. To search for cuisines, locations, price ranges, and reviews for restaurants near the Newberry visit Yelp, Metromix, or Open Table. Below is a list of restaurants frequented by Newberry staff and patrons.
Restaurants
- 3rd Coast Café - 1260 N Dearborn, casual American fare with a vast menu
- Blue Door Kitchen & Garden – 52 W Elm, American restaurant serving seasonal food & cocktails in an elegant, intimate setting with a patio.
- Cafecito – 215 E Chestnut, specializes in Cuban sandwiches plus salads, platters, and more modern digs.
- Friends Ramen – 808 N State, ramen and Izakaya-style pub plates
- Gaylord – 100 E Walton, northern Indian classics (plus a few Southern Indian dishes); hot and cold entrees.
- Goddess and Grocer – 1127 N State, American café with sandwiches, salads, pastries, plus prepared foods and gourmet gifts.
- Hendrickx Bakery – 100 E Walton, Belgian-style bread, sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries.
- Luxbar – 18 E Bellevue, classic American food and handcrafted cocktails
- Seoul Taco - 738 N Clark, Korean and Mexican street food and beer
- Tempo Café – 6 E Chestnut, cozy diner with a large menu and even bigger portions; BYOB until 10 PM.
- Velvet Taco – 1110 N State, tacos with global flavors in a counter-service setting.
Coffee
The Newberry doesn’t serve coffee, but there are a few coffee options in our neighborhood.
- Big Shoulders – 858 N State
- La Colombe – 4 E Elm
- Starbucks – 102 W Division
- Dunkin’ – 1201 N Clark
Chicago Classics
- Portillo’s Hot Dogs – 100 W Ontario, Chicago-born chain; hot dogs, Italian beef, salads, sandwiches, and shakes.
- Giordano’s – 730 N Rush, known for deep-dish pizza, this casual chain serves other classic Italian food.
- Lou Malnati’s – 1120 N State, Chicago style pizza, salads, pasta, and sandwiches; gluten-free options available.
- Sprinkles Chicago ATM – 50 E Walton, dessert-only cupcake ATM
The Newberry has negotiated discounted rates with several hotels. To receive these special rates, mention the Newberry when booking your stay.
Fellows looking for additional short-term or long-term housing options may contact us at research@newberry.org.
This list of accommodations is a resource for visitors; it does not constitute an endorsement by the Newberry.
- Ambassador Hotel Chicago Hotel
- Best Western River North
- Claridge House
- The Talbott Hotel
- The Whitehall Hotel
- Canterbury Court Apartments (rentals from one month to a year)
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