In the morning board your coach for your transfer to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, dedicated to showcasing the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in the United States. The museum opened to the public in 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in the city. It features over 37,000 objects, including artifacts, photographs, and documents, that tell the story of African American history from slavery to the present day.

The museum is arranged into several different exhibitions that cover a wide range of topics, including the slave trade, segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the cultural contributions of African Americans in music, art, and literature. There are also interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and immersive experiences that bring history to life.  Explore the museum's community galleries, which highlight the experiences of African Americans in different regions of the United States, as well as the museum's extensive collection of photographs and documents

One of the most powerful exhibits in the museum is the Slavery and Freedom exhibit, which includes artifacts and stories from the lives of enslaved people in the United States. The museum also has a collection of artifacts from the Civil Rights Movement, including the Emmett Till Memorial, which honors the memory of a young boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955.

Some of the highlights include - Harriet Tubman's hymnal; Nat Turner’s bible; A plantation cabin from South Carolina; Guard tower from Angola Prison; Michael Jackson's fedora; and works by prolific artists such as Charles Alston, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, and Henry O. Tanner. 

Return back to the hotel.  Rest of the evening is at leisure. Washington, DC has a vibrant food scene with many excellent restaurants to choose from. Try some local cuisine, such as Maryland crab cakes or a half-smoke sausage, or explore the many international options available

Overnight in Washington

Breakfast at the hotel.

9:00 Am Meet your tour Guide and Travel back in time to some of the most iconic moments from the civil rights movement on an African American history tour of Washington DC. You will pass by the famous Emancipation Statue, the National Council of Negro Women, and more while learning about the history of the city from your guide. 

Washington DC has been a center of African-American history and culture since the creation of this “ Federal District”. Visit the sites rooted in our nation’s history thanks to the contributions of freed and enslaved African-Americans. Find out how they shaped our city and our country. Stand exactly where Civil Rights heroes and icons stood, and changed the history of our great nation!

This tour explores the rich and often untold history of African Americans in our Nation's Capital. Beginning in the 17th century when African-Americans were first brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619; they have contributed to the creation and flourishing of our Nation's Capital. This tour highlights significant areas starting with a drive to Cedar Hill in the historic community of Anacostia, the home of the famous freed slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a renowned civil rights activist, lawyer, and writer during his life.

After taking a glimpse into the past with the visit to the home of Frederick Douglass, we will visit Howard University, which is one of the oldest black universities in the United States. On the way to Howard University, we will drive by Lincoln Park to visit the statue of educator, activist, and founder of the National Council of Negro Women, Mary McLeod Bethune.

Following the visit to the beautiful Howard University campus, we will drive through LeDroit Park, Shaw Neighborhood, and historic “U” Street. These areas of D.C. showcase the vibrant and unique local culture that still thrives in these neighborhoods. Home to the largest urban African-American community in the United States in the early 1900's it created its own “Black Broadway,” a home to entertainment legends from past and present.

Next, see the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum to discover how the course of the Civil War was impacted by these disenfranchised soldiers. You will then take a journey into downtown DC to the sites of the national headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women, Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

Once downtown, enter the Logan Circle historic district to see the historic Metropolitan AME Church and the Mary McLeod Bethune Council house. Finish the tour at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Enter inside and explore the absorbing artifacts and exhibits at your leisure.

Return back to your hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Washington

After breakfast, meet your tour guide and begin your reserved entry into the U.S. Capitol Building for a 45-minute tour of one of the most symbolically important and architecturally impressive buildings in the nation. On your guided walking tour of the Capitol, you will see the Crypt, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall, and also spend time at the U.S. Capitol's Visitor Center. On your way to the next stop (the White House), you will pass the Newseum, the Canadian Embassy, and the National Gallery of Art. When arriving at the White House (outside only), you will see the Executive Residence of the President and his family, as well as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. This stop also includes a walk past Lafayette Park, honoring the Marquis de Lafayette, leader of French revolutionary forces. Your next stop is the National World War II Memorial. Along the way, you will see the headquarters of the American Red Cross, and the Organization of American States (OAS) - representing the U.S., Canada, and 35 Latin American countries. Onward, to the Jefferson Memorial. Once you have marveled at the Jefferson Memorial and have taken photos, we will visit the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial – dedicated in 2011 – just across the Tidal Basin. On the walking part of the tour, you will visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and via a nice stroll along the tree line, you will emerge in front of the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Enjoy some free time for lunch (own expense). Post lunch board your cruise and discover the most Spectacular Views of Washington, DC from the Potomac River.  Post-cruise, take a fascinating look at the interior of the National Archives as the final attraction of the tour.

Overnight in Washington

After breakfast, proceed to discover the enduring tribute to the men and women that have dedicated their lives to defending the ideals of the United States of America with a tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Explore more than 600 acres of hallowed ground that once belonged to George Washington's adopted son, George Washington Parke Custis. In 1857, Custis left the property to his daughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis, when it became the family home for her and her husband Robert E. Lee. Throughout its history, the grounds have been used for various purposes, including serving as a camp and headquarters for Federal Troops during the Civil War, and as a safe haven for slaves transitioning to freedom after abolition. Arlington National Cemetery held its first military burial on 13 May 1864, and is now the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Honor the men and women who gave their lives in service at 3 stops which include the JFK Gravesite, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and The Arlington House.

Enjoy your breakfast. You will be transferred to Washington Airport depending upon your flight departure time. (Standard check-out time is 11:00 am)