Have a soulful experience in Illinois by embarking on one of these 3-Day Getaways!
Begin your journey in the historic district at the Bronzeville Visitor Information Center, where you can embark on an exhaustive trolley tour of the landmarks and attractions that helped define the neighborhood. You can also take in the sights and sounds of Bronzeville by strolling down the Bronzeville Walk of Fame, which highlight's the neighborhood's famous residents and contributors. You can also see the former homes of many of Bronzeville's favorite sons and daughters, such as Nat "King" Cole, Ida B. Wells, Richard Wright and Joe Louis. Continue on to the Monument to the Great Northern Migration, the famous bronze statue that personifies blacks' journey from the South to the North, and also check out the Original Site of Old Comiskey. End the day with a meal at the Negro League Café, a throwback and homage to the baseball league that has roots dating back to the late 19th Century.
Chicago's South Side has birthed and molded some of the most creative and visionary minds in the world. The area is home to the nation's oldest African-American museum, the DuSable Museum of African American History. The spirit and mission of the DuSable can be seen in a slew of art galleries that are part of the Bronzeville Art District — Gallery Guichard, Neleh Artistic Expressions, Nicole Gallery 2, Steelelife Gallery and the South Side Community Art Center; each has their own unique style and flare, and you can purchase a signature piece to accent your home or office. Do lunch at Army and Lou's, a restaurant that was fancied by stalwarts of the African-American experience such as Martin Luther King Jr., Sammy Davis, Jr., Cab Calloway and Harold Washington, the first and only black major of Chicago. Later, get a feel for Bronzeville's contemporary art scene by sitting in on the poetry readings and live performances at the Spoken Word Café.
Relish in a day of relaxation and rejuvenation. Start off by pampering yourself at the Egyptian-influenced Mi Spa Chicago for massages, manicures and more, or try a signature facial or body wrap at Bettye O Day Spa. The ladies can refresh their locks, twists, relaxers or colors at GoodSpa or Soul Salon Spa, and if the fellas want to tighten up their fades or get a trim, they can stop in to Clee's Barbershop, Jazz Barbershop or Blues Barbershop. After you've spent the day looking and feeling good, get into nightlife—keep it traditional with a soul food dinner at Pearl's Place and a night of blues at Checkerboard Lounge, or get the "new" Bronzeville experience with dinner at the Blu 47 supper club, followed by some live entertainment at Jokes and Notes.
Chicago's Magnificent Mile is world-renowned as a shopper's paradise, home to some of the most luxurious, recognizable brands and shops. Start off at Water Tower Place, 900 N. Michigan or Chicago Place — these malls are a good beginning for your excursion. After you've walked the strip a bit, take a shopping sojourn at Hershey's Chicago for the requisite sugar-high, or brave the lines at Garrett Popcorn to get one of the city's all-time favorite sweet-treats. Release your inner-Audrey Hepburn and take a walk through Tiffany & Co., size up the beautiful creations at La Perla, or get your techie fix at the Apple Store. And don’t forget to walk down the Michigan Avenue offshoot streets, too — there are great finds at the stores that line Oak Street and at hidden treasures like Accessorize Chicago. Make your final destination dinner at Grand Lux Café, known for its sumptuous desserts. With your shopping bags in tow, you and your best girlfriends will be true Magnificent Mile mavens!
Venture outside of downtown and become a "boutique belle" — the charming little sisters of Chicago's big stores, boutiques offer unique selections and one-of-a-kind pieces. Kiwi's Boutique, Flaunt, Maxine's Beauty Magic Boutique, Mystique Boutique and Kreative Soul Boutique all stock clothing and jewelry with flair and personality. And for the sistas who are all about shoes, Heelz, Sole Lounge, Sensual Steps Shoe Salon and Phli are dedicated to stocking one-of-a-kind styles, from stilettos to sneakers, that you can't find anyplace else.
Even after they've blown their shopping budget, true "discount divas" know that there are still bargains to be unearthed. So, journey to Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, which has lots of outlet malls that will make your wardrobe and wallet very happy. Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora is another great choice for popular, brand-name items for less. And Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg is a Chicagoland favorite with tons of variety.
The small-town atmosphere of Jacksonville, Ill. hosts some important cultural touchstones in African-American history. Jacksonville was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and a walking tour will take you to some of the houses that participated in this historic mission; you can also visit the Prairie Land Heritage Museum. You can spend the evening on the Jacksonville Main Street, where central location for shopping and dining that harkens back to the old days — check out York Antiques and Craft Mall, Cobblestone Café and Gifts, and the Country Diner.
Springfield, the state's capital, has numerous attractions dedicated to its most-famous resident, the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Visit the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and then head downtown Springfield for some shopping and sustenance. Springfield shops offer a variety of souvenirs, novelties and eateries, most of which are located on Washington, Adams and Monroe streets...just follow the former presidents! Complete your day with a haunting tour — Lincoln’s Ghost Walk...Legends & Lore is an evening walk that connects folklore to the folk hero.
Less than one-and-a-half hours away from Springfield, Bloomington is home to the McLean County Museum of History, which features the "Presence, Pride & Passion: A History of African Americans" in McLean County exhibit chronicling the experience and contribution of African Americans as they relate to business, the military, local entertainment and civil rights. After the museum, take a walk through the Miller Park Zoo, a relaxing setting home to a variety of animals (watch the free-flying birds!) that also has a rainforest exhibit and the Zootique store for souvenirs. Take a 10-minute drive to Bloomington's twin city, Normal, and have dinner at Lunker's, known for its great burgers and fish sandwiches. Finish your day at the Normal Theatre, which is truly a step into the past — the theatre still maintains its original architecture and décor and features an old-style ticket booth and candy displays. The theatre shows mainly independent films, among them "The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till" and "Smoke Signals."
To book any of these packages, please visit EnjoyIllinois.com/3-Day.