Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Go back in time to some of the most iconic moments from the civil rights movement with this fascinating African American history tour of Washington DC
Often at the epicenter of the activism surrounding civil and black rights in America, the country’s capital holds the key to some of history’s most captivating moments. From the most famous to lesser-known but equally significant sites, your tour guide will paint a picture of the city from the African American perspective. You’ll be picked up at the U.S. Navy memorial with stops at momentous monuments such as the Emancipation Statue, Howard Theatre, and vibrant black communities.
Feel the weight of the world on your shoulders as you stand where Martin Luther King did when he roused audiences with his legendary ‘I have a dream,’ address. One of the most comprehensive African American history tours in DC, you’ll also get tickets included to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where the the tour ends.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
The seats are assigned on the first come, first served basis
Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time to ensure a timely check in
No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
Please Note: Purchase of this tour includes free timed-entry passes to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. However, this is not an official Smithsonian tour. Additionally, entry to the property is provided complimentary only after completing the sightseeing history tour. Customers booking this tour are paying for this company’s services and perspective, which is independent of and may not represent the views of the Smithsonian.
Additionally, we do our best to provide entry to the Smithsonian but it is not guaranteed. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture is a public institution and we do not factor entry passes into our ticket price. We have no special reservation agreement with them and simply access their public portal on Recreation.gov for tickets. Guests may still experience wait times upon arrival to enter the museum and are required to follow the museum's guidelines for entry at their allotted entry time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
Guided Stop (outside only)
U.S. Capitol
Drive-by
Options
African American History Tour
Reviews
1,177 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Dre was our guide. Very...
CHRISTOPHER H,
Oct 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Dre 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.
An Eye-Opening Journey Through African American History with Dre
Ivy B,
Oct 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.
Great learning experience!
VIKKIE W,
Sep 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our guide Dre' was great! Professional and personable. He painted a great tapestry of our history in DC. Ending at the museum is perfect!
Good tour for out of town guests
Paula M,
Sep 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00Tour time does not include time spent in the museum. Make sure to allow time for lunch. Many good restaurants in the neighborhood.
Black American History
Anita J,
Sep 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00The tour provided an exceptional experience, with our guide, Dre, offering insightful information that significantly broadened my understanding as an African American. I highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of African American culture, as it is designed to be enriching for individuals of all backgrounds. The concluding visit to the African American museum served as a powerful culmination of the experience. I strongly encourage anyone visiting the DC area to consider this tour; it represents a worthwhile investment.
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Operated by USA Guided Tours