A Weekend in Washington, D.C.
Exploring Black History
Words by Tejal Thakkar
Washington DC has a rich history of Black greatness. Soak in the contribution of our country’s Black community while exploring to the vibrance of the nation’s capitol.
Day One
To start the trip, take KB Tours African American Heritage walking tour, which is teeming with some of the most important landmarks in African American history, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the reflecting pool where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
After the tour, head over to U Street, stopping at Ben’s Chili Bowl for lunch and admiring the iconic mural on the side of the building that features notable Black Americans throughout history, including Harriet Tubman, Taraji P. Henson, and the Obamas. After lunch, take a self-guided audio tour through historic U Street and Shaw, a historically Black neighborhood.
For dinner, check out Dukem, a U Street staple. Rumor has it that their Injera (a fermented flatbread) is shipped to DC directly from Ethiopia. After dinner, make a stop at Jojo Restaurant and Bar, a Black-owned establishmentserving up delicious food and live jazz, blues, funk, soul, and R&B music.
Day Two
Start the day at the Black-owned diner, Steak N Egg, in the Tenleytown neighborhood. Once tummies are full, head over to the popular Museum of African American History. After perusing the museum’s stunning exhibits, enjoy lunch at Matchbox, which is operated by the largest Black-owned food management company in the U.S.
Begin the afternoon with a short walk to National Portrait Gallery, featuring scientists, statesmen, and film stars including Obama’s portraits among others. After this, stop at Black Lives Matter Plaza, the city block that became iconic during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. At night, enjoy the smooth tunes at Blues Alley, the world’s longest-running jazz supper club nestled in the heart of the beautiful Georgetown neighborhood.
Day Three
Make time for a visit to a few more DC sites before leaving. The National Museum of African Art, a global African art museum displaying over 9,000 works of traditional and contemporary African and Black art. To satisfy lunch cravings, Eastern Market has a number of food and market vendors. Afterwards, check out The Sweet Lobby, a Black-owned café that rose to fame when they won Food Networks’ “Cupcake Wars.”
At Howard University, visitors can soak in the history by standing on the campus of the famed HBCU before heading over to the renowned Howard University Gallery of Art. End the trip on a high note at Cane, a cozy spot serving Trinidadian cuisine. The restaurant was opened by famed chef Peter Prime and his sister, Jeanine Prime, and has won several awards.
Where to Stay
Soak up African American history at Willard InterContinental Washington, DC. This is the historic place where Dr. King finished his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
