Service Description

Until 1920 and the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, Washington, DC boasted the largest African American urban population in the United States. The U Street Corridor was the heart of this community and saw African American leaders in science, education, finance, architecture, and music come to prominence here. Their cultural legacy is immense and forms the basis of this engaging tour. You will walk through Washington's Black Broadway, where you will learn about the Jazz greats who frequented its many bars, cafés, and ballrooms, and who played in the historic Lincoln Theater & Bohemian Caverns. You'll see where Duke Ellington grew up and where Langston Hughes attended poetry gatherings, and you'll discover the historic Whitelaw Hotel, the first luxury hotel in Washington, DC for African Americans. And then there is Ben's Chili Bowl, which has been serving up its half-smokes and famous chili for decades. On this tour, a century of African American economic, cultural, social, music, and political history comes alive as you walk among stunning Victorian rowhouses dating to the turn of the 20th century.

Contact Details

• 2000 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA