Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
Explore the rich history of U Street, once known as Black Broadway, on this immersive walking tour from Columbia Heights to Shaw. Led by expert guide Dion "13", you will discover the vibrant culture, significant landmarks, and influential figures that shaped this iconic neighborhood. Engage with stories of jazz, arts, and civil rights as you stroll through the streets that once thrived with creativity and activism.
- Dive into the history of U Street, a center of African American culture
- Walk through key locations in Columbia Heights and Shaw
- Learn about the icons of the jazz and arts scene in the area
- Guided by Dion 13, an expert on the cultural significance of U Street
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet guide at the Columbia Heights station exit.
Itinerary
-
1
Explore the ancient landscapes of the Native American Nacotchtank, the plantation lines of Pleasant Plains, and the hidden bootlegging vaults of two brothers during the Roaring Twenties. You will learn some of their secrets throughout this tour.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
You will hear about Mary Henderson and her elite architectural visions for the area. Our stop, All Souls Church is near the DC meridian. once proposed by Jefferson. You will learn about the history and structural geometry of this and two other historic churches.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Mexican Cultural Institute
Step inside this beautiful building - designed in the Beaux Arts style. It is part of the story of the placement of embassies on Meridian Hill. Its architect, Nathan Wyeth, also designed the West Wing of the White House.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Meridian Hill Park
Known as Malcolm X Park, stand at the boundary line of the wealthy and working class to trace the history of civil rights radicalism. Learn about the decades-long tradition of the Sunday drum circles.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Step into the heart of a self-contained parallel universe. This stop features a critical logistical bathroom stop. Learn about the construction of this center and the goals its placement here accomplished.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
Map out the multi-million dollar shadow economy of the numbers runners and their escapes through alleys such as this one. Notice the stunning Ben's Chili Bowl mural. As you start to enter Black Broadway, learn about the former Minnehaha theatre which once occupied this space.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Step inside this DC landmark which has been run by the Ali family since its construction. Learn the story of survival and all the restaurant has witnessed. You will hear about the famous patrons who have visited over the years. You will have time to order one of their famous half smokes1
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
As part of Black Broadway, learn of the many performers who have graced the stages over the decades.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This building is significant as the first African American designed, financed, built, and owned by African Americans during Reconstruction.
Admission ticket free -
8U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo
Stand inside the African American Civil War memorial. Pay homage to the 209,145 courageous soldiers of the United States Colored Troops who underwrote the freedom of the pavement.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
Experience the explosive finale. Trace the rooftop of sniper nests of the 1919 Red Summer, stand before the Duke Ellington Statue, view the historic Howard Theatre, and map out the raw, cash-in-hand history of the DC taxicab industry.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
