Recommended neighborhoods for experiencing african american culture in Chicago. (Evergreen Park: home, live)

[tentagausu]

Hi,

My family and I really enjoy visiting Chicago's various ethnic neighborhoods. What I haven't done yet is visit any predominantly african american neighborhoods.

Any suggestions on places to go and things to do?

For context, we are a family with a teenager (13) and young one (4) so we won't be doing music/nightclubs/bars type things. I'm mostly interested in Saturday/Sunday daytime activities. Walking around the neighborhood, visiting shops, eating out.

Mostly looking to get a feel for the people and place more than anything else. Tourist attractions are fine, but we're happy with no tourist attractions at all - we like just experiencing a different place/culture/life.

Related, we are also very interested in religion, and my wife has always loved gospel singing. Are there predominantly black churches that are welcoming to respectful visitors on a Sunday morning?

Of couse, safety is always a consideration, both in the neighborhood as well as routes to and from.

Any suggestions are very appreciated!

[AmosBanks]

I would recommend Apostolic Church on 63rd Street as an example of a mega church in the community. They would welcome you as a visitor without any problems. Do not go THIS SUNDAY as the Pastor Emeritus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_M._Brazier died earlier today and it will be on jam.

If you want to go to a restaurant and be surrounded by black folks in a natural environment then check out Valois Restaurant or the place next door. You could also go to Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles - Chicago, IL, 60653 - Citysearch (http://tinyurl.com/23b627q - broken link) . As far as a place where you can walk around and experience black folks being black folks...It's hard to answer without throwing a question back at you. What do you want to see? Do you want to see white t-shirts and baby strollers are are you looking for a black version of the north side with black people jogging, shopping, rollerblading and walking dogs? Cause I could direct you to many places of the former and not too many of the latter.

[tentagausu]

Thanks for the response. I will definitely check out your suggestions.

As for the type of neighborhood, I'd say any type of neighborhood that is safe and where an outsider would not be unwelcome. Would that be the later of your two catagories. (though you made it sound kind of yupie...) An average middle class/working class neighborhood with people just livinig their daily lives.

Me, personally - I'd go anywhere that was safe to be. I've traveled many places internationally as well, and it pains me that I cannot visit places like Yemen without significant safety concerns.

One of the hardest things me to figure out in a place I don't know is how broadly I can explore without getting myself into a place/situtation that is unsafe.

Just to be clear - no racial overtones to that observation. As a mixed race family (most folks would probably guess that we're hispanic, though that's only partly right) we've had the same discussion about many places (i.e. recently in certain areas of the South where white supremacist groups were active).

9 times out of 10 we appear to be outsiders regardless of what the majority race in the community is, so we're thoughtful and careful about any place we are going, particularly with kids.

[chitown85]

Bronzeville! It was historically the population center of the African American leadership in Chicago.

[paytonc]

Bronzeville's a great start, since there's already been some groundwork to highlight the area's history for tourists. I'd start with the city tourism office's offering:
Bronzeville | Chicago Neighborhoods | Explore Chicago

It can also be paired with an exploration of Hyde Park, where you'll find the DuSable Museum. I don't think either area presents much of a safety concern, particularly during the day.

[mas23]

Id suggest Bronzeville( douglas and Grand Boulevard Neighborhoods), Hyde Park/kenwood, South Shore. These neighborhoods have Alot of history in them.

mas23

[linicx]

You said you enjoy the ethnic neighborhoods. If you have not visited Chinatown it's very interesting. It is part tourist, part home for many, and part other business like non-traditional medicine shop, grocery store, church and great food.

http://www.chicagochinatown.com/

[SJbust]

Originally Posted by linicx

You said you enjoy the ethnic neighborhoods. If you have not visited Chinatown it's very interesting. It is part tourist, part home for many, and part other business like non-traditional medicine shop, grocery store, church and great food.

Welcome to Chicago Chinatown

The OP mentioned experiencing African American culture, with additional interest in the black church. I don't think Chinatown will suffice.

I'd suggest South Shore, Pill Hill or Evergreen Park. There are nice family restaurants in these areas; not to mention local businesses. For church, I'd recommend Christ Universal Temple.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by SJbust

The OP mentioned experiencing African American culture, with additional interest in the black church. I don't think Chinatown will suffice.

I'd suggest South Shore, Pill Hill or Evergreen Park. There are nice family restaurants in these areas; not to mention local businesses. For church, I'd recommend Christ Universal Temple.

Evergreen Park? Thats an overwhelmingly Irish community with some black people...

[ajolotl]

Evergreen Park?? Maybe at Walmart or The Plaza, but the town overall has a relatively low percentage of blacks and absolutely no history as a black area.