In order to understand the complete history of a place, we must study the stories of prominent figures and ordinary citizens alike from every background. We celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of important black figures throughout history and around the world, from abolitionists like Harriet Tubman and to civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., to music legends like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Each of these programs includes distinctive lectures, historical sites or museums that focus on black history.
Step into the stories that shaped a nation. At Road Scholar, our black history tours take you beyond the pages of a textbook and into the places where history was lived, challenged and changed. Walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, stand along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. or explore the cultural legacy of Memphis.
Along the way, expert faculty and local voices bring depth and perspective to each moment. These aren’t just visits to historic places; they’re meaningful journeys into the people and movements that continue to shape our world.
Traveling through key sites of black history offers a powerful way to connect past and present. Our black history programs make stops at places where change was made. In cities like Atlanta and Birmingham, guided experiences highlight the Civil Rights Movement through places where pivotal moments unfolded, such as the Carter Center and the Civil Rights Institute. Thoughtfully designed programs combine site visits, lectures and conversations with historians and local experts, helping you understand not only what happened, but why it still matters. Each journey is paced to allow time for reflection and deeper engagement.
African American history tours are designed as experiential learning programs that blend education and meaningful travel. You can expect a balance of guided excursions led by knowledgeable instructors, engaging presentations by expert faculty and opportunities to engage directly with historic sites while sharing discoveries with like-minded travelers.
Visits may include time spent at museums, memorials and neighborhoods that played a central role in shaping American history. Just as important, these programs foster conversation and shared discovery among participants, creating a space to reflect, ask questions and connect the past to the present in a thoughtful way. You can also find online history adventures that serve as a great starting point to learn about black history before your adventure, so you can have a foundation of knowledge to work from.
Whether you’re interested in solo travel or a family experience, we have a range of black history travel programs across the United States. Along the way, you’ll make stops at pivotal Civil Rights landmarks and vibrant cultural institutions, so you can connect stories and people in ways that feel immediate and lasting.
Walk the ground where history unfolded. In Selma, you can walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge, famous for “Bloody Sunday,” where state troopers attacked peaceful protestors fighting for equal voting rights, or head to Birmingham to visit the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the first black church in Birmingham that was later at the center of a deadly bombing that sparked outrage that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These sites offer powerful insight into the courage and determination that defined the Civil Rights Movement.
On black history tours, you’ll visit museums and cultural centers that provide essential context and perspective. Visits to places like the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. help bring history to life through exhibits, artifacts and storytelling that span generations.
Beyond landmarks, there are entire communities you’ll be able to explore that tell really important stories. In cities like Memphis and Atlanta, neighborhoods, churches and public spaces reveal how local activism, culture and resilience shaped broader movements and national change.
These journeys bring to light the individuals and ideas that moved history forward. On these trips, you’ll learn about influential leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, as well as artists and educators, to better understand how these important voices had lasting impacts across generations and contributed to progress and cultural identity.
Ready to experience these stories in a deeper, more meaningful way? Find an adventure at Road Scholar today in our collection of black history programs that speak to your curiosity. Through our experiential learning collection, you’ll join fellow lifelong learners, engage with expert faculty and step into the places where history continues to shape the present.
