Washington DC Harlem Renaissance Walking Tour

* Starting February 2025, tour is offered the second Saturday of the month at 4pm.
This amazing walking tour will take you on a journey to an era in which U Street NW DC was the center of African American music and intellectualism. The sounds of jazz was everywhere, Langston Hughes and Jean Toomer were being established as the future writers of the day, and an effort to document the history of African Americans was underway. Take a journey through the Harlem Renaissance as it started in DC! Tour stops mid-way at the famous Ben's Chili Bowl, for optional refreshments and a bathroom break.

Meeting Point

The Howard Theatre

620 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA

The tour will begin in front of the Howard Theater on T Street NW.

What's included:

• 2 hours of incredible DC History with a knowledgeable guide.

Not included:

• Food and Drink purchased at Ben's Chili Bowl or Ben's Next Door

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Howard Theatre

620 T St NW, Washington DC, 20001-5117, District of Columbia

Howard Theater was the first theater in DC to offer a stage for African American performers, established in 1910. It has played a key part in the DC music and arts scene ever since.

10 minutes

Right Proper Brewing Company

624 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA

The site of the Frank Holliday's Pool Hall where Duke Ellington first started dabbling in ragtime and jazz piano.

5 minutes

1910 Vermont Ave NW

1910 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA

The former house of African American Opera Singer Lilian Evanti, who earned acclaim abroad before returning to her native Washington DC to make her mark on black contributions to classical music.

5 minutes

Bohemian Caverns

2001 11th St NW, , Washington DC, 20001-4013, District of Columbia

Former Jazz icon, Bohemian Caverns was a must visit during U Street's period as DC's "Black Broadway."

5 minutes

Lincoln Theatre

1215 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Major theater and show house during the Black Broadway era.

3 minutes

Ben's Chili Bowl

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Iconic eatery for three generations that has been the destination of Presidents and tourists alike, this is where the tour takes a refreshments break.

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

1901 14th St NW

1901 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Former site of Club Bali, a favorite performance spot of Billie Holiday.

5 minutes