Wednesday, September 2, 2026

More than 250 Choose Chicago partners and tourism industry leaders joined us for the All for the Love of Chicago Roundtable: South Side Field Trip.

Why we gathered

The afternoon offered an opportunity to experience and celebrate just a small piece of the extraordinary culture, creativity, history, and hospitality found across Chicago’s South Side, and to give our partners new knowledge and inspiration to share with their audiences.

What we saw

Big Bus Tours Chicago helped bring the experience to life, transporting attendees between cultural attractions, neighborhood businesses, and community destinations throughout the afternoon and evening.

The Field Trip began at the historic Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. Originally opened as a movie palace in 1929, the beautifully restored Ramova offered a fitting starting point for a journey showcasing the South Side’s rich history and vibrant present.

From there, attendees divided into three groups for special experiences at distinctive destinations:

  • The Silver Room in Hyde Park, a longstanding hub for art, music, community, and culture
  • Bronzeville Winery in Bronzeville, a neighborhood restaurant and gathering space celebrating wine, food, art, and local creativity
  • Red Clay Dance Company in Woodlawn, a leading performing arts organization dedicated to creating and advancing dance rooted in the African diaspora

Each stop offered a unique window into the people, places, and stories that make the South Side such an essential part of Chicago’s identity.

A memorable final stop 

The groups reunited at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center for a tour and closing reception. The visit gave attendees an up-close look at this transformative new cultural destination and gathering place in Jackson Park.

While no single Field Trip could capture everything the South Side has to offer, the experience underscored the important role our tourism community can play in encouraging visitors and residents to explore more of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Where we go from here

The South Side is not a one-day experience or a single destination. It is home to world-class cultural institutions, acclaimed restaurants, historic landmarks, creative businesses, and vibrant neighborhoods that offer compelling reasons to visit in every season. Explore the South Side and discover the neighborhoods, culture, and experiences that help tell the story of Chicago.

As we discussed during our Sleigh the Season Roundtable, growing Chicago’s visitor economy year-round requires all of us to work together. By incorporating South Side destinations into itineraries, recommendations, content, and conversations with visitors, our partners can help broaden how people experience Chicago and ensure that tourism’s benefits reach more communities throughout the city.

Choose Chicago used the occasion of the South Side Field Trip to announce that, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Big Bus Tours Chicago, the Chicago South Side & Presidential Center Shuttle will continue operating through December 31, 2026. The affordable daily service connects the Chicago Riverwalk with the Obama Presidential Center, Jackson Park, and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, making it easier for residents and visitors to begin their own South Side exploration.