Chicago is the nation’s third largest city, famous for its ethnic neighborhoods and cuisine as well as its colorful history.  After Reconstruction, Chicago’s swan song of new opportunities attracted African Americans from the newly freed South.  With them came the Blues, Jazz, Pullman Porters and so much more. Experience the “Windy City” for yourself at the Taste of Chicago, in Millennium Park, on Lake Michigan and at the top of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).

Below are some cultural attractions that you can experience while in Chicago.

Black Ensemble Cultural Center

Chicago’s historic and legendary  Black Ensemble Theater is celebrating it’s 35th birthday and the opening of the New Black Ensemble Cultural Center with The Jackie Wilson Story, the kickoff for the  2011-2012 season entitled "Legendary Season of Rhythm and Blues."

The Jackie Wilson Story, an audience favorite that was revamped for the new season, premiered at the new, sleek and modern 299-seat venue, to a host of both old and new fans. Written, directed and produced by theater founder and director Jackie Taylor, the story serves as the ultimate tribute to the late soul singer.

The story takes the audience back through a timeline of the key moments of his life beginning with his days in a Detroit street gang, his strong bond with his mother Eliza Mae (Dawn Bless), his brief stint as a member of the Dominoes, his marriage accompanied by various infidelities, alcohol and substance abuse, shady record label executives, but most importantly, his passion to sing and entertain, thus earning him the nickname of "Mr. Excitement."

Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater

4450 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

Now through March 18 - The Jackie Wilson Story

Performances Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm

Fridays at 8pm

Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm

and Sundays at 3pm.

Tickets are $55-$65, and are available by phone (773-769-4451) or online at ticketmaster.com. (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at blackensembletheater.org.

34th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival

The longest running of the city's lakefront music festivals. For the past 33 years, the Chicago Jazz Festival has been a Labor Day weekend tradition. The 34th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival is shaping up to be a tremendous Labor Day weekend in Chicago. Once again the Festival will happen in multiple locations, starting on August 30th and running through September 2nd, 2012. Admission is free in all of the locations.  Take Amtrak into the city and plan to stay overnight. The festival partner hotel, the Essex Inn, is located just across the street from Grant Park on Michigan Avenue and fills up fast.

August 30 - September 2, 2012

Various Venues around Chicago

For more information about the Chicago Jazz Festival

Book early and save

For all the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights

Despite this extraordinary episode, visual culture is rarely included in the history of the modern civil rights movement. For All the World to See is the first comprehensive museum exhibition to explore the historical role played by visual images in shaping, influencing, and transforming the fight for civil rights in the United States.

Website: www.dusablemuseum.org

John Hancock Observatory

Come kiss the sky! At 1,000ft, John Hancock Observatory delivers the full sensory experience! Hold on for the adrenalin rush of a ride in America's fastest elevator. Be amazed by the stunning views spanning 4 states.  Stimulate the mind with our FREE multimedia Sky Tour, as Lookingglass co-founder David Schwimmer takes you through Chicago's history and hotspots. Tour comes in both kids and adult versions. Adult version available in English, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish & Italian. Feel why Chicago's called the Windy City on our Skywalk (the only open-air viewing platform in the state). And take in the dramatic history murals tracing Chicago's rise from marsh to metropolis.

For more details visit: http://www.hancockobservatory.com/en/

DuSable Museum

The DuSable Museum of African American History’s latest exhibition, “The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present,” introduces a resister to the slave movement, Gaspar Yanga, often referred to as the First Liberator of the Americas. Further expressions of his contributions include the two day festival YANGA FEST, which chronicle the opening of the exhibition in his honor.

Website:   www.dusablemuseum.org/

A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum promotes, honors and celebrates the legacy of A. Philip Randolph and contributions made by African-Americans to America's labor history. At Amtrak, this celebration begins with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, as we educate the public about their legacy and contributions.

Website:    www.aphiliprandolphmuseum.com

Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze

Squeezing, stomping, spinning... double over laughing... delightfully dizzy, twisting and turning -can you find your way out? Navigate your way through 4000 square feet of exhilarating sensory experiences. Lose yourself in the Mirror Maze, stumble your way through the Spinning Tunnel, stomp out the Great Chicago Fire and much more! Find out for yourself why over 1 million guests have gotten lost here. Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze is located on Chicago's Navy Pier.

For more details visit: http://www.amazingchicago.com/

Victory Monument

This monument was built in 1926 to celebrate the achievements of the “Fighting 8th” Illinois Regiment of African-American troops who served in France during World War I.

Website:    www.discoverblackheritage.com/victory-monument

House of Blues Chicago

Enjoy a live gospel music performance and an all- you-can-eat buffet of Southern favorites during the joyous Sunday Gospel Brunch.

Website:    www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago

Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, fuels the imagination with exhibitions, state-of-the-art computer technology, hands-on activities for the family and three planetarium theaters. Make sure to catch a space show in the all-digital Definiti Space Theater on a screen that is 360° and more than 50 feet in diameter.  Check out the Gemini 12 capsule, hop on the Lunar Leap and step on the Lunar Scale to find out how much you weigh on the Moon, all in the Adler’s popular permanent exhibition Shoot for the Moon. The Adler is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago's Museum Campus.

For more details visit: http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

Millennium Park

Offers dazzling music, art, landscape design and architecture.

Website:    www.millenniumpark.org

Navy Pier

At the Midwest’s top tourist destination, you can enjoy the boardwalk, 150-foot Ferris wheel, boat and segway tours, and countless dining and shopping options.

Website:    www.navypier.com