TENTATIVE TOUR SCHEDULE
The tours we will be offering at the 2023 ACB Conference and Convention are a work in progress and are subject to change. However, we thought we would share with you below the tours we are presently working on. Times, pricing, and meal choices are not yet available. The final tour details will eventually be incorporated into the listing of all meetings and events you will be able to browse on this website as we get closer to the actual conference and convention.
Friday, June 30:
- The Museum of Science and Industry: Go down into a coal mine and see what life was like for miners. Perform hands on experiments, learn the science behind taste, learn about sound waves and walk through a replica of a human heart. There’s so much to experience plus lunch and an amazing gift shop!
- Detective Dinner: Learn about the players, hear the clues and figure out whodunit while enjoying a great meal!
- (Note: the tours on both Fridays are consecutive so you can attend both tours)
Saturday, July 1
- Beach Day: Swim, sit on the beach, enjoy lunch, take a ride on a pontoon boat, or play beach games. We’ll do it all at Bangs Lake. There will be lifeguards, and a gazebo for anyone who wishes to be out of the sun.
- Holocaust Museum: None of us want to think about this horrendous but important time in history. This museum focuses on life in Poland and talks about not just the Jewish people who were persecuted, interned and murdered but also those with disabilities and other ethnicities. Lunch from a local deli will be provided as part of this tour.
Sunday, July 2
- Tube Down the River: Travel to Winamac, Indiana, where you will spend 3 hours floating down the river. Several tubes will be joined together so that everyone will be safe. Life Jackets will be provided. You must wear rubber soled, closed toe, shoes such as old tennis shoes or water shoes on the river. If you don't have footwear you will be required to rent water shoes from the venue for $15.00. Make sure to bring sunscreen! Lunch will be provided.
- Chicago History Museum: The Museum’s collection of more than 23 million objects, images, and documents records the evolution of Chicago, one of the nation’s most significant cities, from fur-trading outpost to modern metropolis.
Monday, July 3
- Pizza and Gangster Tour: Taste the flavors of Chicago and learn about the most notorious era the Windy City is known for, Prohibition. This a city bus tour with a twist! You'll get a chance to literally eat your way through Chicago by sampling slices of its world-famous pizza at three culturally significant pizzerias. Along the way we'll educate the group about all thing’s pizza and since one of the pizzerias used to be an Al Capone controlled speakeasy, we'll discuss that history as well.
- National Museum of Mexican Art: Founded in 1982, the museum stimulates knowledge and appreciation of Mexican art and culture from both sides of the border through a significant permanent collection of Mexican art, rich visual and performing arts programs, high quality arts education programs and resources and professional development of Mexican artists. The Museum welcomes all people and strives to foster a world where all are included. During this tour we will see some 3d renderings of paintings, and our docents will describe the exhibits for us in vivid detail. We will also learn about the murals painted in the neighborhood. Lunch from a local Mexican restaurant will be included in this tour.
Tuesday, July 4
- Wine Tasting: Travel to Milton, WI, to visit two wineries, one of which also includes beer tasting. Sit outside and sip, learn about wine production, purchase wine for shipping (if your home state allows) and visit great gift shops with numerous wine related items. Lunch will be provided.
- Sports Day: We are still working on this tour but plan to have a tour of Soldier Field, and watch the White Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays at Guaranteed Stadium.
Wednesday, July 5
- Horizons for the Blind: Everything in the building is labeled in large print and braille. Visit the production area where everything from utility bills to menus are embossed. Horizons phenomenal store with numerous gadgets and braille books. Enjoy lunch with the Horizon’s staff and learn of their history.
- Long Grove Confectioners: You’ve probably had these marvelous treats before; Long Grove Confections are sold under many other labels. Learn about how their candy is hand-made, try some samples and do lots of shopping! They have everything from monster peanut butter cups to candied roasted pecans!
- Museum of Broadcast Communications: We don’t know yet what exhibits will be at the museum when we visit, but this is a must for anyone interested in the history of radio and TV broadcasting.
Thursday, July 6
- Goodman Theater: Attend an audio described performance of Tommy. Prior to the performance go on-stage to meet the cast, see the costumes and scenery.
(note: you will leave after affiliate roll call and be back in time for the banquet).
Friday July 7
- The Sanfilippo "Place de la Musique": Known worldwide for its magnificent collection of beautifully restored antique music machines, phonographs, arcade and gambling machines, chandeliers, art glass, the world's largest restored theatre pipe organ, the most spectacular European salon carousel in existence, street and tower clocks, steam engines and other functional mechanical antiques, displayed within a breathtaking French Second Empire setting. If you enjoy music, trains, or antiques you don't want to miss this tour!
- Odyssey Dinner Cruise: Take a gourmet dinner cruise on a high-end luxury yacht with the stunning skyline of Chicago serving as your backdrop. Climb aboard your recently renovated vessel, featuring a sumptuously appointed rooftop lounge and stylish interior design, for your cruise along Lake Michigan. Then sit down for a 3-course dinner. After dinner, enjoy coffee and tea, captivating views of Chicago landmarks like the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and Navy Pier, plus musical entertainment provided by the onboard DJ.