60+ Local Black History Tours and Trails in the U.S.
Hey Fam!
As you can probably tell, I love tours! I feel like I learn more when I’m touring an area with an expert than if I wandered around by myself. It adds so much value to a trip to learn something new about the place I’m visiting. And learning something new about African American history makes it even better! That’s why I began compiling a list of Black owned Black history tour companies in different states. I don’t want to just visit the sites in each state. I want to learn more
Why black history tours? I think we can all agree that what we learned about Black history in school was lacking. There were so many stories that were left untold. Tours are a fun way to see a different part of the city and learn more about our shared history from a local perspective.
Why Black owned tour companies? There’s an African proverb that says, “until the Lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.” In short, it’s important to learn about our history from our point of view. And you’re more likely to have a positive, safe experience if the company is Black owned. Of course there’s always an exception to the rule.
As my Juneteenth gift to you, I’m sharing the list I have compiled so far in 19 states and Washington D.C. This is not an endorsement as I have not done all of the tours (though I would like to!).
For states that did not have tours offered by black owned companies, I provided the links to other black history tours, self-guided tours or tours from organizations committed to teaching Black history. This list is by no means exhaustive. I plan to add to it as I come across new tours. If you know of any tours that I missed, let me know!
Happy Juneteenth!
COLORADO
Five Points Business District Walking Tour Self-guided walking tour of various heritage sites in Denver
CONNECTICUT
The Connecticut Freedom Trail Home Self-guided tour of over 120 heritage sites in 50 towns
New London Black Heritage Trail Self-guided tour of various heritage sites
Westport Museum for History and Culture Black History Tour Guided walking tour of heritage sites in Westport
FLORIDA
Key2MIA Guided tours that let you experience Miami like a local. Check out her Melanin Miami tour
GEORGIA
ATL Black History Tours Guided tours highlighting Atlanta’s Black heritage.
Round About Atlanta Tours Guided tours including the Atlanta Black History and Civil Rights Tour
ILLINOIS
Chicago Mahogany Tours Guided tours of various heritage sites in Chicago
LOUISIANA
All Bout Dat Tours Guided tours on the history of Old New Orleans
Know NOLA Tours Guided walking tours of various heritage sites in New Orleans
MAINE
Portland By the Foot Guided walking tours, including a Black History tour
Portland Freedom Trail Self-guided walking tour of various heritage sites
MARYLAND
Baltimore Black History Tours Guided tours exploring various heritage sites
Chesapeake Tours Guided bus and walking tours, including several focused on Harriet Tubman
I Love Baltimore Tours Guided bus tours exploring Baltimore history, including a Black History tour
MASSACHUSETTS
About Black Boston Guided walking and driving tours of Black history and Black businesses
African American Heritage Trail of Florence, MA Self-guided and mobile walking tours honoring Sojourner Truth
African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard Guided driving and walking tours focusing on African American history
African American Heritage Trail – Mount Auburn Cemetery Self-guided tour highlighting the African American residents of the cemetery
Black Heritage Trail Self-guided and virtual walking tour through the Beacon Hill neighborhood
Hidden History of Black Boston Guided bus and walking tours of heritage sites in Boston
Live Like a Local Tours Guided walking tours of neighborhoods in Boston, including the Nubian Square Tour
Nantucket’s Black Heritage Trail Self-guided walking trail covering African American history in the area
New Bedford Black History Trail Self-guided walking trail of various heritage sites
Concord Self-Guided Walking Tour Self-guided walking trail of various heritage sites
Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail Self-guided walking trail of various heritage sites
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Guided walking, trolley and bus tours
Warner Historical Society Black History Walking Tour Self-guided walking tour
NEW JERSEY
African American Heritage Tour of Cape May Guided and self-guided walking tours
Cape May MAC Underground Railroad Trolley Tour Guided trolley tours of heritage sites in Cape May
Albert E. Hinds Memorial Walking Tour Self-guided walking tour of heritage sites in Princeton
NEW YORK
Black Gotham Walks Guided walking tours
Black Heritage Tours Guided tours of heritage sites in New York and Amsterdam
Harlem Heritage Tours Guided tours of heritage sites in Harlem
Inside Out Tours Guided tours of heritage sites across New York
NORTH CAROLINA
African American Experience of Northeast North Carolina Self-guided, digital tours of heritage sites in the northeast part of the state
Hood Huggers International, LLC Guided walking and driving tours covering heritage sites in Asheville
Journey Wilmington’s African American History Walking and Riding Tours Guided tours by appointment only
New Bern African American Heritage Trail and African American Heritage Tour Self-guided tours of various heritage sites
Queen City Tours Guided tours of heritage sites in Charlotte
Wilmington History Self-guided tours of heritage sites in Wilmington via app
WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tour Guided driving tour of various heritage sites
PENNSYLVANIA
African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania Tours Guided and self-guided walking tours of heritage sites in Lancaster
Gettysburg Licensed Town Guides Walking Tour Guided tour of various heritage sites. Check out their 8 Miles from Slavery Black History Tour
Sewickley Black History Tour Self-guided tour of various heritage sites via mobile app
The Black Journey: African American History Walking Tour Guided walking tour of various heritage sites
RHODE ISLAND
Providence Black History Walking Tour Guided tour of various heritage sites
Providence Walks: Early Black History Tour Self-guided tour of various heritage sites
Rhode Island’s Black Heritage Self-guided tour of various heritage sites
SOUTH CAROLINA
Frankly Charleston Black History Tours Guided tours of heritage sites in Charleston
Gullah Heritage Trail Tours Guided bus tours of heritage sites in Hilton Head
Gullah Geechee Tours Guided tours of heritage sites in Charleston
Gullah Tours Guided tours of heritage sites in Charleston
Lost Stories of Black Charleston Guided tour hosted by Professor Damon Fordham
TENNESSEE
Soul of America Tours Guided driving tours of various heritage sites
United Street Tours Guided Civil Rights tour of Nashville
VERMONT
Vermont African American Heritage Trail Self-guided tour of various heritage sites
VIRGINIA
African American Heritage Tours Self-guided tours of heritage sites in Alexandria
African American Tours of Richmond Virginia Guided tours of heritage sites in Richmond
Elegba Folklore Society Guided tours of heritage sites along the Trail of Enslaved Africans
Manumisson Tour Company Guided walking tours of heritage sites in Old Town Alexandria
Walking the Ward with Gary Flowers Guided walking tours of heritage sites in Historic Jackson Ward
Williamsburg Walking Tours Guided walking tour of heritage sites in Williamsburg
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Capital Buddy Tours (formerly dcblacktours.com) Guided tours of heritage sites in DC.
DC in Black Tours (Not to be confused with dcblacktours.com) 202-610-9999 Guided bus tours to various heritage sites in D.C. including a Civil War to Civil Rights tour
KB Tours Guided walking, virtual and personal tours of heritage sites in DC.