Washington DC African American History Tour with Museum Entry

Stand at the sites where the civil rights movement took shape, then explore the museum at your own pace.

A four-hour guided tour of Washington DC's African American history landmarks with a live guide, covering the U.S. Navy Memorial, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the U.S. Capitol, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial, concluding with complimentary timed entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The tour includes bottled water and live commentary throughout. Arrive 20 minutes early for check-in. Museum entry is provided after the guided portion ends, and you explore independently from there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each7 stops

1. U.S. Navy Memorial20m
2. African American Civil War Museum20m
3. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site15m
4. U.S. Capitol15m
5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial20m
6. Lincoln Memorial20m
7. National Museum of African American History and CultureEntry included1h

African American history tour in DC

• Pick up at U.S. Navy Memorial
• Visit African American Civil War Museum
• Stop at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
• Guided stop at Howard Theatre area
• Visit U.S. Capitol Building (outside)
• Stop at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Visit Lincoln Memorial
• Enter National Museum of African American History and Culture

The experience

The tour picks up at the U.S. Navy Memorial and moves through the sites that shaped the civil rights movement in the nation's capital. Your guide provides live commentary as you stop at the African American Civil War Museum, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the U.S. Capitol Building, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" address), and the Lincoln Memorial. Each stop anchors a moment in the country's struggle for equality, told from the perspective of those who lived it.

After four hours of guided stops, the tour concludes at the National Museum of African American History and Culture with your complimentary timed-entry reservation already arranged. You then have the rest of the day to move through the museum at your own pace. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour, and the guide stays with the group both on and off the bus. Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure to ensure timely check-in.

The museum entry is subject to Smithsonian availability and operates on their public ticketing system, so you may experience wait times upon arrival at your assigned entry time. This is an independent tour company's perspective on African American history in DC, not an official Smithsonian program. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the tour accommodates collapsible wheelchairs if a companion can assist with boarding and disembarking.

What’s included

• Live guide commentary throughout the tour.
• bottled water.
• complimentary timed-entry reservation to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• guide accompaniment both on and off the bus at each stop.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private group tour by vanUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 10:00

Private group tour by SUVUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 10:00Private experience: Your group gets a reserved vehicle and a dedicated tour guide. Pickup and drop-off at most local hotels are included!

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 10:00, from US$ 415 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate5 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by USA Guided Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a structured introduction to DC's civil rights landmarks with a guide who can contextualize each site, and you're comfortable exploring the museum independently after the four-hour guided portion ends. The reserved museum entry means you skip the uncertainty of walk-up availability, though you'll still follow the museum's own entry procedures at your assigned time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What sites does the tour stop at in Washington DC?

The tour visits the U.S. Navy Memorial, African American Civil War Museum, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, U.S. Capitol Building, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial before ending at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Is museum entry included in this tour?

Yes, a complimentary timed-entry reservation to the National Museum of African American History and Culture is included and provided after the guided portion of the tour ends. You then explore the museum independently for the rest of the day.

How long does the guided portion of the tour last?

The guided tour lasts four hours, covering the outdoor landmarks and stops before arriving at the museum.

What should I know about arriving for the tour?

Arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time at the U.S. Navy Memorial for check-in. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Snacks are allowed on the bus, but no full meals.

What happens if I want to stay longer at the museum?

After the guided tour ends and you enter the museum at your assigned time, you're free to spend the rest of the day there. Your timed-entry pass gets you in. The museum's guidelines apply once you arrive.