Bronzeville
'Black Metropolis' — Harlem of the Midwest, home to jazz and blues clubs during Great Migration
Best time
May-September (avoid brutal winters), Lollapalooza (August), Chicago Jazz Festival (September)
Currency
USD
Language
English
Mid-range / day
USD 200
Safety for Black Travelers
Chicago has a complex safety landscape. Tourist areas (downtown, Magnificent Mile, Museum Campus) are safe. The South Side, including Bronzeville and Hyde Park, are culturally rich and generally fine for visitors. Research specific neighborhoods before visiting.
Neighborhoods to Know
Hyde Park
Obama's home neighborhood, University of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry
Pullman
Home of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters — pivotal in Black labor history
Chatham
Strong middle-class Black community, legendary for Black homeownership
Must-Visit Places
DuSable Black History Museum
Nation's oldest and largest independent Black history museum, founded in 1961
Chicago, Illinois
Obama Presidential Center
Under construction in Jackson Park — will transform Hyde Park
Chicago, Illinois
Soul Food at Pearl's Place or Ain't She Sweet Black-Owned
Chicago's rich soul food tradition is unmatched
Chicago, Illinois
Green Mill Jazz Club
Legendary Uptown jazz club operating since 1907
Chicago, Illinois
Pullman National Monument
Birthplace of the BSCP, A. Philip Randolph's organizing ground
Chicago, Illinois
Harold's Chicken Black-Owned
Chicago institution — the South Side's favorite fried chicken chain
Chicago, Illinois
Visa
No visa required for US citizens
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