Building Black Broadway: U Street Corridor Walking Tour Tickets

Once known as Washington’s “Black Broadway,” the U Street corridor has been the civic and cultural heart of the District’s Black community since the turn of the century. Rich in architecture, history and culture, U Street was developed by and for the then segregated Black community of the Federal Capital. Revered Jazz icons like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Cab Calloway once walked U Street, performing at nightclubs and glamorous music halls in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Beautiful buildings, largely designed by local Black architects, still stand as a testament to this self-sustaining community. On the residential side streets, a fascinating evolution of row house development and design is evident in the diverse and varied homes, some dating back to the 1860s! Join a neighborhood walking tour to trace the history of the area through its architecture-- from the Civil War to Black Broadway, from civil unrest, through local perseverance, and future plans. The tour begins at the African American Civil War Memorial at the corner of U Street and Vermont Avenue NW, and concludes in two hours in Meridian Hill Park near 15th and W St.

Distance:

• 1.5 Miles

What to Bring:

• Sturdy walking shoes, bottled water, and comfortable clothes are recommended!

Where to Meet:

• Find your guide at the African American Civil War Memorial at the corner of U Street and Vermont Avenue.
• GPS Address: 1925 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
• Your tour concludes in Meridian Hill Park near 15th St and W St NW.