There's plenty to do during the month of February to learn more about the Black history of DC!
There are memorials to visit, tours to take, museums to explore, all celebrating black history.
This post covers things to do in Washington DC during Black History Month including a top 10 list, nighttime activities, family-friendly things to do, and free things.
Read our master post on things to do in DC any time of year.
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN DC
DC is a great place to visit during Black History Month. There are many places to see and things to do to honor those who have made a difference in our nation's history.
While a lot of these can be enjoyed year-round, we also added special events that are available only during this month.
For more ideas on popular things to do in DC, check out our posts on bus tours and walking tours of the city.
Be sure to look into purchasing a tourist discount pass for more ideas of things to do in DC for cheap.
1. Visit U Street NW in the Shaw Neighborhood
North of the National Mall is the Shaw neighborhood, named after Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who during the American Civil War accepted command of the first all-black regiment in the Northeast.
This area is where a lot of escaped enslaved persons settled and started businesses catering to the African American community.
You can learn more about this neighborhood on our self guided audio U Street walking tour. including the childhood home of Duke Ellington, the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, and learn more about some of the first black-owned businesses in the city.
For Black History Month, explore Shaw and support local businesses. Try the great dining experiences and immerse yourself in the uniqueness that is the Shaw neighborhood.
We offer a guided Street Art & History tour of Shaw.
Some of our favorite black-owned eateries in the neighborhood to eat at all times are:
- Ben's Chili Bowl
- Florida Avenue Grille
- Oohs and Ahhs
- Dukem Ethiopian
- Calabash Tea and Tonic
U street is known as "Black Broadway". It is rich with black history and there are a number of ways to explore it!
Take a Walking Tour! We offer walking tours of U Street for groups. To book a tour, click here.
We also have a self-guided food and history tour, which includes stops like the historic Howard Theater, in front of which is a statue of jazz legend Duke Ellington.
Each at Ben's Chili Bowl. Ben's Chili Bowl is rich in history. It survived the riots that took place all over after the assassination of MLK.
Through all the hardships, it remains an important cultural icon and has several locations in DC, including U Street, H Street, and even Nationals Park! It's one of our Top 50 Things To Do in DC!
2. Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture
The African American History and Culture Museum is the newest Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. While it's been open for a few years, it's still very popular. Luckily, February is a great time to visit.
Inside the museum is a treasure trove of African American history.
Check out our guide to visiting the NMAAHC to get the most out of your experience!
Tickets are required to visit this museum so if you miss the opportunity on this visit, check out the African American Civil War Museum (appointment only as of Jan 2022)
3. See the MLK Memorial
A free thing to do to celebrate Black History Month in DC is to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the Tidal Basin. This impressive memorial honors the Civil Rights Activist and is viewable both during the day and night.
It's also a stop on our All in One walking tour! Our name-your-own-price tours are great for all budgets and all ages, so this is a great family-friendly activity to do.
For more things to do with kids any time of the year, check out our master post.
4. Visit Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is the resting spot of our nation's heroes. While you might have heard of the Kennedy Graves and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, there is so much more to Arlington Cemetery!
It's over 620 acres and full of incredible history, including those of black heroes. Notable graves such as the famous boxer Joe Louis, the Tuskegee Airmen, and more are there to explore. Some of these are covered on our free Arlington Cemetery Walking tours.
We also have a self-guided tour: Black History of Arlington National Cemetery. This is a great way to further your exploration of the cemetery.
5. Stand on Black Lives Matter Plaza
The block of 16th Street NW north of the White House has been renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza, with large yellow letters permanently installed on a pedestrian section of the road.
This location has been the site of numerous protests and demonstrations for social justice and equality.
6. Visit the Frederick Douglass House (currently under renovation for 2023)
This might be the first time you're hearing of this place, but the Frederick Douglas House is an incredible museum in the home of the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglas.
He lived there from 1877 until his death in 1895 and is a National Historic Site located in Anacostia.
The home is free to visit and has guided tours running throughout the day.
7. See Where MLK Delivered 'I Have a Dream' Speech
Inscribed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is the dedication to where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' Speech after his March on Washington in 1963. Stand where history was made and take in the view of Washington, DC.
We'll tell you exactly where to find the inscription on our National Mall walking tour and go into detail about the president who ended slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation.
8. Take a tour of Anacostia SE DC
Join local tour guide Craig, a resident of SE DC for 50 years, to learn about the history of Anacostia, a neighborhood in SE DC across the Anacostia River.
9. Learn about the Black Women Who've Contributed to History
On our LeDroit Park tour we learn about Mary Church Terrell, Julia Cooper, Alice Dunbar and more.
You can visit Mary McLeod Bethune's Council House and her memorial in Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill.
10. Learn About the Enslaved Persons of Mt Vernon
Like a lot of our Founding Fathers, our first president George Washington enslaved people on his plantation. You can visit Mount Vernon and learn about them. Mount Vernon is located in Alexandria, Virginia, but it is easy to get there by car or metro.
Mount Vernon offers an 'Enslaved People of Mount Vernon' specialty tour and you can reserve tickets for those here. You can also visit the enslaved persons' memorial located near George Washington's tomb.
