The 11 Best African American History Tours in Washington DC

1.Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,180 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours tracing African American history in Washington, DC, from Jamestown and the Civil War to the Civil Rights era. Guides such as Dre and Elvis lead the bus and walking stops, ending with reserved entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“very informative the guide was funny and so knowledgeable saw things I would have never seen. it was absolutely wonderful and I will recommend to anyone I know traveling to DC. I would take it again!!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Join guide Kenny for a 3.5-hour small-group tour of African American history in Washington, DC. Visit major memorials, historic neighborhoods, Frederick Douglass or Mary McLeod Bethune sites, and finish with same-day entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“I had an incredible experience on the tour led by Kenny, who was simply an outstanding guide. His deep knowledge of African American history, as well as the histories of other cultural groups in Washington, D.C., was truly impressive and unparalleled. From the moment the tour began, I felt at ease, as if I were his niece and he was sharing family stories with me. Kenny’s engaging storytelling made the history come alive, and his passion for the subject was evident in every word. I can't recommend this tour highly enough! As a delightful bonus, Kenny took us to a fantastic soul food restaurant called Ooh and Ahh at the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.African American History Tour & Museum Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 312 reviews · 210 minutes - 4 hours · from $89

Travel by climate-controlled bus through Washington, DC, with guides such as Dre or Elvis Pate, stopping at major memorials, Howard University, U Street, and Civil War landmarks before entering the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on your own.

“Dre was awesome. Very informative, I learned a lot.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Walking Tour and African American Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 157 reviews · 3 hours · from $80

Meet guide Nur Gray, or another English-speaking local guide, at the Andrew Jackson Memorial. Walk past the White House, Capitol One building, and Washington Monument while learning about African American life in Washington, then use your reserved museum entry to explore independently.

“Nur was very understanding about the fact I was late for the tour. We carried on when we met and I learned a lot about DC in the short time we were together. Then we got to the African American Museum on time for an amazing experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.African American History Museum Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 54 reviews · 2 hours

Meet your English-speaking guide at the museum for a two-hour private tour of the National Mall and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Guides such as Nur, Michael, Koura, and Hur focus on key displays, family discussion, and clear context for children and adults.

“Our guide was great! It was my sisters and I we enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.DC Landmarks Walking Tour + African American Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Meet at Lafayette Square for a guided walk past Washington’s major landmarks, then use your reserved ticket for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Guides such as Nur, Rachelle, Dr. Koura Gibson, and Dion are praised for lively historical commentary. Museum time is self-guided.

“Weather was biting cold so it made the trip a little difficult. It would have been awesome if our guide could have found us some corners to get out of the wind, talked through what we were about to see and then walked to the site. Still, it was great way to get a feel for the city.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Guided Tour of African American History Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 31 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours inside Washington’s National Museum of African American History and Culture with a private English-speaking guide. Admission is included, and guides such as Nur, Nona, and Dr. Koura Gibson have helped make the museum’s artifacts and stories easier to understand. The tour is for your group only, up to five people.

“This tour was misleading!!! I paid $350 dollars and the tour guide wasn’t very informative and withheld more personal conversations. I called and spoke to someone about this tour before I paid and I was informed I was meeting up and being transported to all the monuments listed 20 mins each and end at the African Museum for a hour for a tour inside however that did not happen whatsoever. My sons and I otherwise was forced to walk in 90 degree weather only to see two monuments the White House and the Washington Monument. I was told I would receive an $250 dollar refund in regards to this from…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.African-American Heritage Walking Tour of U Street in DC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $90

Walk Washington’s U Street with a local guide from 5 pm, visiting Ben’s Chili Bowl, the African American Civil War Memorial, and Howard Theatre. Guides such as Nur Ali share stories of Black Washington, jazz, wartime service, and neighborhood life. Expect a small-group stroll, but note that food and transport cost extra.

“We loved this tour. It went into more detail of the neighborhoods and we loved the HU walk on the yard. The guide was knowledgeable and you could tell he loves the city and neighborhood. I highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.African American Heritage Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $90

Spend two hours walking U Street with an English-speaking local guide. Learn about Black Washington, Duke Ellington, the former Black Broadway, and the area’s music and nightlife. Guides including Nu, Nur, and Darron have led especially personal tours, though guide availability needs care.

“The tour was very informative. The tour guide did a great job making stories come to life.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Essential Smithsonian Tour with NMAAHC Timed Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $59Best value

Start at 1:30 pm with a small group of up to 10. Your English-speaking guide leads you through Natural History and American History, then gives you timed entry to NMAAHC for independent exploration. Expect a brisk pace, iconic objects, and about three hours on foot.

“Fun, fun and more fun. Be prepared to walk but that is what it’s all about! Joel was very insightful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Tour of Museum of African American History and Culture

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Kenny or another English-speaking guide for a private, two-hour walking tour of Washington DC’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Headphones linked to a wireless microphone keep the commentary clear as you explore slavery, freedom, segregation, and civil rights. Admission is included for groups of up to seven.

“Kenny was such a nice, informative guide! Great experience and well worth the money. He made sure we didn’t miss anything of import. We should have planned to stay a few more hours on our own. Guess we’ll just have to come back!”

Check availability →Read our full review