African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket
Description
KB Tours is a one of a kind African American Heritage tour operator in Washington DC that takes visitors to explore the historic African American neighborhoods in all four quadrants of the city, often going off the beaten path. With knowledgeable guides who are passionate about sharing interesting facts and captivating stories of Washington DC's black history, KB Tours prides itself on providing an engaging and entertaining tour experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to stop and visit iconic landmarks and monuments in the city, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Capitol, the White House exterior, and tour the Frederick Douglass when opened. KB Tours' guides are committed to keeping visitors of all ages engaged throughout the tour, encouraging young children to participate in the tour activities. The tour includes a ticket the Museum of African American History and Culture. You must take the tour to join us for entrance to museum.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is a historic building located in Washington D.C., United States. The NCNW was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights leader, to promote the rights and welfare of African American women and their families. The organization has been headquartered in the same building since 1953 and it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The building is located at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in the heart of the nation’s capital, just a few blocks from the White House. The building was originally constructed in the late 19th century as a commercial office building. In 1942, the building was purchased by the National Council of Negro Women with the help of a loan from the Federal Housing Administration.
You will be able to stand where the inauguration of President Obama took place. You will hear stories of how slaves help build the Capitol and the White House. You will hear how the Supreme Court which was in the Capitol made several decisions that affected people of color for decades .
This iconic building is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. African Americans have also played an important role in the White House, from the enslaved workers who built the house to the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama.
One of the most significant events to take place at Constitution Hall was a concert by the renowned African-American contralto, Marian Anderson, on April 9, 1939. Anderson had been scheduled to perform at Constitution Hall, but the DAR, which owned the hall at the time, refused to allow her to perform there because of her race. The incident sparked a national controversy, and eventually, with the help of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was able to perform on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, in front of a crowd of 75,000 people. The concert was a landmark event in the struggle for civil rights and helped to bring attention to the issue of racial discrimination in the United States.
The tour guide will give information about the Lincoln Memorial as well as information about the historic African American events that have taken place at the Memorial. You will hear stories about the March on Washington, Marion Anderson Concert and Robert Moten giving the dedication speech for the opening of the Lincoln Memorial
Tour guide will show and explain the Inscription wall with 14 quotes and statements, the Mountain of Despair and the Stone of Hope. You will be told interesting and facts about the making of the King Memorial .
Our tour will include a walking tour of inside the Frederick Douglass house (Tuesday, Wednesday , Saturday.) The other days we will drive past the Douglass home and tell the history of the home.
LeDroit Park is known for its rich cultural history. The neighborhood originally was built for the white professors of Howard University. LeDroit Park to homes were sold to both black and white buyers, making it one of the first integrated neighborhoods in the city. LeDroit Park also has a rich history of cultural and intellectual activity. The neighborhood was home to many prominent African American leaders, including Mary Church Terrell, the first president of the National Association of Colored Women, and Duke Ellington, the legendary jazz musician. In the early 20th century, the area was known as "Black Broadway" for its thriving entertainment scene, which included nightclubs, theaters, and music venue
You will learn about the 209, 000 African American troops and sailors that fought during the Civil War. The memorial was dedicated in 1998 . You will be able to read the plaques that have the names of all the USCT that were in the 166 regiments . You will able to see the statue call Sprit of Freedom which was done by Ed Hamilton.
Dunbar High School is a historic public high school located in Washington D.C. The school was founded in 1870 as the first public high school for African Americans in the United States. Dunbar High School has a long and proud history of academic excellence and has been instrumental in the education and success of many notable figures, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
he Howard Theatre is a historic theater located in Washington D.C. The theater was originally opened in 1910 and was one of the first theaters in the country to be designed and operated by African Americans. The theater quickly became a popular destination for African American performers and audiences during the segregation era and played a pivotal role in the development of African American music and culture. Over the years, the Howard Theatre hosted many of the most famous African American performers of the time, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Marvin Gaye. The theater was also an important venue for comedians and was known for its "Chitlin' Circuit" shows, which featured African American comedians and performers.
We will drive past one of the great universities in the United States. Howard University was established in 1867. The University has 13 schools . Some of the graduates of Howard are Thurgood Marshall, Elijah Cummings,, Taraji Henson and Toni Morrison .
we will drive past the Carter G. Woodson House, the home of the “Father of Black History.” Woodson was a prominent African American historian and scholar who is credited with creating Black History Month.
We will drive past the Bethune Council house. Mrs Bethune bought the house in the 1943. The design of the house second French Empire . We will stop and tour the house Thursday-Saturday time permitting
At the end of the 3 hour 30 minute tour you will be given tickets to the Museum of African American History and Culture. The tickets will be same day tickets. Once inside the museum you will be able to stay up until 5:30 when the museum closes. Once you arrive at the museum the tour is over. You must take the tour to get the ticket to the museum
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(412)
On 7/11/2026, a hot day in Washington DC, I stepped into a very comfortable air conditioned Bus Tour hosted by KB Tours. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and had a great sense of humor. The pace of tour was perfect and I never felt rushed. KB went above and beyond to give us a first class experience. He stopped at all the popular historical sites such as the National Mall, Lincoln & Washington Memorial, the US Capitol and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The tour headed to South DC and I saw the famous Big Chair in Anacostia. KB enlightening us on the different evolving housing architecture, the iconic Frederic Douglass National Historic site and the Howard theater. One of my favorite part of the tour was the visit to the famous Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic site. The grand finale on the tour was the National Museum of African America History and KB encouraged us to visit the lowest level and move upwards through the museum’s history - very good advice. Thank you KB Tours for a memorable experience.
This tour was disappointing and did not provide the value we expected for the price. As a family of six, this was a considerable expense, and unfortunately, the experience fell well short of our expectations. The driver seemed annoyed by the responsibility of both driving the bus and providing the historical narration. Instead of an engaging, educational tour, the commentary felt minimal, and much of the experience consisted of being dropped off at various locations to explore on your own. Most stops lasted only 15–20 minutes, which wasn't nearly enough time to meaningfully experience the sites or learn about their historical significance. If you're interested in visiting African-American historical landmarks, I would recommend skipping this tour altogether. With a little research, you can create your own itinerary, spend as much time as you want at each location, and save a significant amount of money. Unless the tour adds knowledgeable guides, more meaningful historical storytelling, and adequate time at each stop, it's difficult to justify the cost.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I am sorry that the tour did not meet your expectations. I would like to respectfully address a few of your concerns. Our tour is designed to last approximately three and a half to four hours, and it covers all four quadrants of Washington, D.C. Because of the distance between historic sites and the realities of city traffic, we must carefully balance travel time, narration, and time at each stop. If we were to spend 45 to 50 minutes at every location, the tour would become a much longer experience, likely closer to six hours. Regarding the narration, I take great pride in the historical content I provide. After more than 30 years of giving African American history tours in Washington, D.C., I have worked hard to offer guests meaningful context, insight, and perspective. While I understand that every guest may have a different expectation, it is rare for someone to say that I am not knowledgeable. I would respectfully encourage you to read past reviews, including many from guests who praised the depth of knowledge and historical information provided, even when they may have had other criticisms. You are correct that with some research, a person can create their own itinerary. However, what I strive to offer is not simply a list of locations, but the insight, historical connections, and lived experience that come from decades of guiding visitors through the city’s African American history. I understand that I will not please everyone, but I will continue to do my very best, as I have done for more than 30 years, to share the powerful and important stories of African American history in Washington, D.C. Thank you again for your feedback.
African Americans have been left out of the history books to some extent. Many of their contributions have not been recognized or acknowledged. Enjoyed seeing the house where Frederick Douglas lived.
Thank you
Well the tour had good info and places it took you around the city. But ☝🏾 hopefully the man that conducts the tour has more than you. I scheduled this tour for me and my son as we visited DC from New Orleans. We had other tours and plans lined up to do. But I received a phone call from the tour conductor telling me that we were the only people for Wednesday and could we switch to Thursday. He then began to tell me that gas was to high and he wouldn't be making hardly any money with just 2 people on his tour that day. He said if not he would give a refund. Which meant we would miss out on the tour. So, I had to go through changes moving other things around. It was very frustrating to say the least.
My daughter's are repeat guest, but as my first time it was a FANTASTIC trip, with a very knowledgeable guide! Thanks again. P.s. my 3rd grader says hello :)
Thank you very much. Tell my favorite 3rd grader that she made my day. Safe travels
Great experience. Impressive, informative, enlightening!!
Be careful when booking this tour. I booked it and received a Booking Receipt number and a confirmation number when the funds were withdrawn. I left my hotel at 8:00 AM, drove 45 minutes to go 15 miles in heavy stop and go traffic. (if you know anything about DC-VA morning rush hour traffic). The pickup point was supposed to be at the US Navy Memorial at 701 Pennsylvania Ave NW on Wednesday May 21, 2026 at 9:30 AM. I secured parking and paid $20 to park close to the pickup location. I arrived at the pickup location at 9:10AM. It started to drizzle rain and at 9:30 the transportation wasn't there. Then at 9:45AM they still were not there. I called the tour company that operated this tour. I was informed that they didn't have a tour scheduled for the 21st of May. The man that I spoke with (I won't mention his name) said he would call me back. Then I called Viator Customer Care and explained what the tour company told me. I was placed on hold while the Viator representative called the tour company. The tour company didn't answer the phone call. As my call to the Viator rep ended she said that I would probably get a refund, but she would need to speak with the tour company. I did receive a refund of the $175.00 I paid for the tour. I had to eat the $20.00 I paid for parking and I lost my time which is something you can never get back.
I would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience the customer may have experienced. There was a mistake made on my part, and I take responsibility for that. However, I would also like to clarify several statements regarding what occurred. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 9:31 a.m., I received a call from the customer stating that he had an African American History Tour scheduled with KB Tours. At first, I informed him that I did not have any tours scheduled for that day. After gathering more information from the customer, I realized that a scheduling mistake had been made. During that same 9:31 a.m. conversation, I informed the customer that he would receive a refund. I also asked him for his email address so I could send him tickets to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Although I was only responsible for refunding the customer’s money, I provided the museum tickets because I felt it was the right thing to do. At the time, I was already conducting a previously scheduled private tour that had been properly booked. Viator called me while I was conducting that tour, but I was unable to answer the phone at that moment. By 9:50 a.m., I emailed the museum tickets to the customer. As a result, he was able to visit and enjoy the museum from approximately 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. This gave him significantly more time at the museum than he would have had if he had taken the original tour. There are a few additional details I would like to make clear. My obligation was to provide a refund, not to secure museum tickets. I did that as a courtesy and in good faith. I also explained to the customer that, had the booking been handled correctly on the schedule, I would not have accepted a tour for only two people. With diesel fuel costing nearly $6 per gallon, it would not have been practical or financially reasonable to operate that tour for only two guests. In summary, the customer received tickets to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which were not required as part of the refund process. He also received a $170 refund. In his final text message to me, he indicated that perhaps next time he would take the tour. KB Tours has been in business since 1996. We are not perfect, but we always try our best to treat customers fairly, act responsibly, and correct mistakes when they occur.
Although it was chilly and raining, our guide was cheery and very knowledgeable. He made the experience a memorable one for myself and my spouse. We learned some new things about our people in the DC region which we will now share with our family. Great tour!! I’ve already shared with friends and family.
Kenny was energetic, polite , knowledgeable and insightful. Knows the areas history and inside story. 5 stars
Thank you
This was a great opportunity to see DC and learn about AA History... Specifically in DC. The host (Ken) was very accommodating which is necessary when you are new to a city.
