AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

1. Stand in the footsteps of great abolitionist Frederick Douglass at Cedar Hill, his recently renovated former home. While there, take in a great aerial view of the city. Tours are free with a small booking fee. Make a reservation by clicking here or call 1-877-444-6777.
2. Spend an inspiring moment at Freedom Plaza, across the street from the Willard InterContinental Hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous, "I Have a Dream Speech." Then head over to the Lincoln Memorial to stand in the spot where he delivered it.
3. Explore Cultural Tourism DC's African American Heritage Trail to learn about lesser-known sites of significance to DC's black history. Consider the house in LeDroit Park where accomplished poet and writer Paul Lawrence Dunbar lived after his marriage to wife Alice in 1898, or The True Reformer Building on U Street, an architectural testament to black economic development. Completed in 1903, it was conceived, financed, designed, built and patronized by African Americans.
4. Stroll through the U Street Corridor to reflect on yesterday's Black Broadway and see the venues (like Bohemian Caverns) that played host to musical performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and more. While you're there, stop at the African-American Civil War Memorial.
5. Have breakfast at Busboys & Poets on a Sunday morning, or visit any Tuesday night at 9pm to hear spoken word at the venue's open mic night.
6. Experience history through visual art at the Howard University Gallery of Art. Located on campus, the Gallery's African American Art Collection is free, and one of the most comprehensive representations of black artists in existence.
7. Consider a cupcake ($3.25/each) from Cake Love, a black-owned bakery on U Street with an owner that gave up a successful career in law and replaced it with one in baking.
8. Feel the city's soul power at any of DC's many nightspots that offer entry free of charge, including Marvin (inspired by Marvin Gaye), Zola, OYA or Tabaq Bistro.
9. Attend a Sunday morning church service at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, the national church of the AME denomination.
10. A taste for soul food should lead you to Oohhs and Aahhs near Howard University, where you can get a soulful meal of ribs with house-made barbeque sauce, macaroni and cheese and collard greens for under $10.