Best Things To Do & See In Bronzeville, Chicago

Outside of Harold Washington Cultural Center | © TonyTheTiger/Wikimedia Commons

The Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side is equally historic and rich in culture. In the early 1900s, dozens of African-American families flocked to Chicago and settled in the south side regions, just north of Downtown. The Bronzeville area became a prime spot for business owners, artists, and musicians. Bronzeville was known as the ‘Black Metropolis.’ Today, the area maintains its historic ties. Check out these five things to do and see in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.

Harold Washington Cultural Center

Located on historic Martin Luther King Drive and named after Chicago’s first African-American mayor, the Harold Washington Cultural Center is a performance arts center that features everything from stage plays to dance performances. It also holds educational and recreational programs for the community. Upcoming events include a screening of a documentary about the legendary Billie Holiday and Supreme Love, a show featuring live music and tap dancing.

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL, USA +1 773 373 1900

Gallery Guichard

Gallery Guichard has showcased work from artists of the African diaspora since 2005. Works from Chicago, Haiti, and South Africa are just some of the art on display. At Gallery Guichard, a new artist is featured every six to eight weeks. Recent exhibitions have included Blackness in Latin America, an exhibit on police brutality, and works from sculptor Susan Williams. Stop by soon to visit the Louis Armstrong Festival.

Gallery Guichard, 436 E 47th St, Chicago, IL, USA +1 773 791 7003

Haitian metal art | © Alex Proimos/Wikimedia Commons

Pearl’s Place

After viewing a show at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, make sure to stop by Pearl’s Place. For over 30 years, Pearl’s Place has been serving authentic Southern dishes in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Pearl’s Place has it all, from traditional Southern soul food plates to desserts baked in-house, like lemon pound cake and sweet potato pie. Order your favorite comfort food dish or indulge in the breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets.

Pearl’s Place, 3901 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, USA +1 773 285 1700

Plate of soul food | © Jennifer Woodard Maderazo/Flickr

Blanc Gallery

The Blanc Gallery was created in order to connect Chicago’s African American community more deeply with the arts. The gallery was developed to showcase the work of local artists as well as start conversations about political and social issues and present artist talks and panels. The gallery also hosts events for local non-profit organizations in hopes of raising money for worthy causes. Recent exhibitions have included Strange Bedfellows, RaceSpacePlace, and Dreams in Jay-Z Minor.

Blanc Gallery, 4445 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL, USA +1 773 373 4320

Yassa African Restaurant

Restaurant, African, $$$

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Yassa Chicken | © Kinesira/Wikimedia Commons

Yassa African Restaurant serves hearty and authentic Senegalese cuisine. The restaurant’s famous dishes are yassa chicken and yassa fish, but the rest of the menu should not be overlooked. Try the Tiebu Djeun (a popular Senegalese fish plate), couscous, or djolof rice. Yassa reflects a strong connection to the west African country of Senegal, from the traditional ingredients to the African art displayed throughout the restaurant. By Alyssa Reyes

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