African American History: DC's Iconic Sites

Step into the past and explore the civil rights movement on this African American history tour in Washington DC. Visit iconic landmarks and gain a deeper understanding of African American perspectives. Includes a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center - Guided Stop (outside only)
  • U.S. Capitol - Drive-by
  • Howard University - Drive-by
  • Lincoln Park - Guided Stop:
    Emancipation Memorial
    Mary McLeod Bethune Statue
  • White House - Guided Stop:
    White House (outside only)
    Black Lives Matter Plaza
  • **African American Civil War…
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Live commentary on board by a local tour guide
  • Complimentary Reservation into the National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Live tour guide - on and off the bus
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on a dramatic journey through the pivotal points of the civil rights movement with this intriguing African American history tour of Washington DC.
As a significant hub for civil and black rights activism in the United States, the nation’s capital is home to an astounding array of historically momentous locations. Discover both celebrated and less…

Location
US Navy Memorial Plaza
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
US Navy Memorial Plaza
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(1180 Ratings)
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Kamilahkeith_t
Dec 27, 2025
Amazing experience & highly recommend this guide of Washington DC reflecting American History and Our collective history - ELVIS was an amazing guide! He was so knowledgeable and thoughtful to cater the guide to the interest and age groups from kids to seniors. He engaged my family in a dynamic experience through Washington DC and the insights about the city and our american history through the lens of black america was something I’ll never forgot. Praise to Gary our driver who also enriched our experience! This was top notch all the way!
Review provided by Viator
Belinda_g
Dec 1, 2025
Worth it! - Elvis was our tour guide and he was amazing. Very knowledgeable. The tour was a little over 3 hours but it didn’t feel like a long tour. I highly recommend even for families with teenagers; everyone will learn something. Thank you, Elvis!
Review provided by Viator
Cynthia_b
Nov 27, 2025
Enlighten - Very knowledgeable tour guide. He was able to answer questions about obscure facts. It was very interesting!
Review provided by Viator
Tony_b
Oct 25, 2025
Black history in DC - Dre was our guide and his passion and knowledge were inspiring. He really elevated the experience for us.
Review provided by Viator
Christopher_h
Oct 24, 2025
Dre was our guide. Very... - Dre was our guide. Very cool guy, super knowledgeable about Black American history, Washington DC, and the interconnectedness of both. Unfortunately, because of the government shutdown, we were unable to go to the Museum, but Dre made up for that with a drive-by tour of Howard University, that included a stop at Oohhs and Aahhhs soul food. All in all, a great time was had by all. Well worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Maps531013
Oct 16, 2025
AWESOME EXPERIENCE - Dre was AWESOME!! He was friendly, professional and so knowledgeable! He gave us details that I was unaware of. THANK YOU Dre
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reginahq3178yk
Oct 4, 2025
African American History guided tour and Museum - Excellent tour. Deandre was so knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun. We truly enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ivy_b
Oct 2, 2025
An Eye-Opening Journey Through African American History with Dre - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had the privilege of taking an African American history tour in Washington, DC with Dre as our guide, and it was truly unforgettable. Dre is not only deeply knowledgeable but also presents history with passion, nuance, and style. The tour wove together well-known moments and hidden stories that don’t often make it into mainstream history books. We stood at Freedom Plaza, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began his speech before leading the march to the Mall. We learned about the King Suite at the Waldorf Astoria, the complicated truth that Lincoln only freed certain slaves, and that Black men actually had to pay to serve in the Civil War. Dre brought heroes like Robert Smalls, James Harvey III (the first Black Top Gun champion), Mary McLeod Bethune (the highest paid government advisor in U.S. history), and Benjamin Banneker (who redrew DC in three days) vividly to life. He connected the dots across eras—from enslaved Africans and Freedman’s Village at Arlington Cemetery, to inventors like Jesse Russell (who gave us the digital cell phone and 2G data), to the brilliance behind Hidden Figures at NASA. He didn’t shy away from complexity—reminding us that “history is an incomplete statement,” and urging us to question why trauma is so often tied to Black success stories. We heard of forgotten Black surgeons who saved Lincoln’s life, of Archer Alexander (Muhammad Ali’s grandfather), and of innovators like Alice Ball, who cured leprosy. What stood out most was Dre’s ability to connect past and present, showing how issues like redlining, eminent domain, and systemic exclusion shaped neighborhoods we walked through—like NoMa, Chinatown, and Georgetown’s Herring Hill. He reminded us that if you want something memorialized forever, put it in art; if statues are taken down without context, history risks being erased. This tour wasn’t just informative—it was transformative. Dre challenged us to “choose your own hero, or they will give you one,” and left us with a deeper understanding of how African American history is woven into every corner of DC, and every corner of America. I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. If you want a tour that will expand your mind, stir your heart, and leave you thinking long after it ends—take this one.
Review provided by Viator
Vikkie_w
Sep 28, 2025
Great learning experience! - Our guide Dre' was great! Professional and personable. He painted a great tapestry of our history in DC. Ending at the museum is perfect!
Review provided by Viator
Paula_m
Sep 27, 2025
Good tour for out of town guests - Tour time does not include time spent in the museum. Make sure to allow time for lunch. Many good restaurants in the neighborhood.
Review provided by Viator
From $89
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).