The stories of Black neighborhoods and historic districts are integral to American history. These neighborhoods have been scarred by some of the most brutal chapters of history, but they also tell stories of innovation and resilience. They’re the birthplaces of iconic figures in Black history and global movements in the arts, and many continue as thriving epicenters of Black culture and heritage.
Tours of these neighborhoods offer groups multicultural dining, shopping and entertainment experiences, but above all, a chance to learn more about lesser-known yet essential aspects of America’s history.
Harlem
New York City
Traditional tours of New York City often overlook one of its most authentic experiences: a visit to Harlem. This Upper Manhattan neighborhood covers about three square miles. It’s been home to many different people and cultures: first a Dutch village in the 1650s, then to Jewish and Italian immigrants in the 19th century, followed by African Americans, who moved in during the Great Migration in the 20th century. During the 1920s, Black literature and jazz flourished there, as a cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance began. Today, Harlem is known for its Black culture and history, with plenty of jazz clubs, eclectic eateries and beautiful, historic architecture.
Perhaps the best way for groups to experience Harlem is on a walking tour. Harlem Tours founder Carolyn Johnson started the company in 2004 to build awareness of what Harlem has to offer.
“Tourism was starting to come back in Harlem, and I wanted to give a true perspective on it because there were a lot of outsiders,” said Johnson. “It lets them get out of touristy places like Times Square to see the beauty of Manhattan and the boroughs.”
Tours are kept small to create a more intimate experience. Larger groups can be split into smaller ones with additional guides. Tours touch on different topics, from Civil Rights to the Harlem Renaissance to jazz. One of the most popular is the gospel and brunch tour, where a Black gospel concert is paired with the other famous sights and sounds of Harlem, such as the Apollo Theater. All tours make stops for meals at local restaurants.
Black Wall Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was such an economically prosperous Black community in the early 1900s that it earned the nickname “Black Wall Street.” The self-sufficient neighborhood had grocery stores, doctor’s offices, hotels and more in 35 square blocks. But in 1921, it became the site of a horrific tragedy, the Tulsa Race Riot, also known as the Greenwood Massacre. The violence began after a Black shoeshine was falsely accused of assaulting a white elevator operator. White rioters invaded Greenwood, burned and looted businesses and homes, and killed residents. The violence ended only after the Oklahoma National Guard was called in. The riot was devastating; As many as 300 Black residents died, more than 10,000 were displaced and property was destroyed or damaged.
Over the next several decades, the community was rebuilt, and when segregation later ended, African Americans began to spread out into the Tulsa community. Today, Black Wall Street is remembered for the tragedy it endured and the resilience of its Black community.
The Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce does group tours for up to 15 of this once-thriving district. Tours may include Greenwood Rising, also known as Black Wall Street Museum; street art, including murals and sculptures commemorating the neighborhood’s past; the Black Wall Street Memorial; and Vernon AME Church, which survived the riots. Shops and restaurants can be stops along the way.
West Oakland
Oakland, California
West Oakland, California, has a long history of multiculturalism. In the late 19th century, African Americans from the southern United States migrated to the area, joining the diverse population of immigrants already living there. The neighborhood’s success grew over the next few decades alongside its Black population. West Oakland’s Seventh Street, its main strip, was the center of the community. During its prime, West Oakland was a prosperous Black neighborhood with an exceptional entertainment scene. Jazz clubs and other nightlife drew in renowned performers like Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin. Though the neighborhood’s prosperity waned in the mid-20th century, it’s currently undergoing a resurgence fueled in part by an interest in preserving its roots.
David Peters founded Black Liberation Walking Tours in 2019 after he moved back to Oakland and noticed a cultural change in the neighborhood.
“The tour came out of an event my wife and I had out of our home, and some older residents started telling stories about what the neighborhood was like when they were younger,” Peters said. “A hush fell over the room. There was a hunger for this information, and I realized I had an opportunity to record the voices of our elders, to save that for posterity, to share that with others in our community.”
The tour began as a self-guided audio walking tour with narratives from Oakland residents and an interactive map. Demand grew, and Peters began offering guided tours for groups of up to 30 on the third Saturday each month, May–November, in addition to private guided tours. Whether groups opt for a guided experience or the self-guided walking tour, they’ll hear firsthand stories of West Oakland’s past and get to know some of the businesses, art and culture that are propelling it forward.
Hayti District
Durham, North Carolina
The Hayti District in Durham, North Carolina, was founded in the latter half of the 19th century by African Americans who moved there to work in tobacco warehouses. The community was organized around two churches and a growing number of businesses. Eventually, some residents bought the land their growing community was built on, and large homes and other community assets, including a hospital and library, were built. The neighborhood flourished, becoming self-sufficient and prosperous, until the late 1950s, when it was partially demolished for a new freeway and other urban development projects. Today, the neighborhood’s history is preserved at the Hayti Heritage Center. Groups visiting Durham in early March won’t want to miss the annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival, which showcases films produced by and starring African Americans.
Founded by Aya Shabu, a dancer and teaching artist who lives in Durham, Whistle Stop Tours leads tours of the Hayti District through a partnership with the Hayti Heritage Center. The walking tours last about 75 minutes and stop at sites like St. Joseph’s AME Church, one of the cornerstone institutions of the neighborhood, and the Carolina Times, Durham’s only newspaper for Black residents. Inspiring stories of the neighborhood’s history are performed by guides. The tour company also does tours of two other prominent Black neighborhoods in Durham. A motorcoach tour of all three neighborhoods can be arranged.
Sweet Auburn Historic District
Atlanta
Located along Auburn Avenue in eastern Atlanta, the Sweet Auburn Historic District is steeped in history. Following the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906 — when white rioters killed Black residents and destroyed homes and businesses in downtown Atlanta — the city’s Black businesses primarily migrated to what’s now known as the Sweet Auburn Historic District. The district became a thriving epicenter for the city’s Black community as early as the 1920s and achieved great success in the 1940s and 1950s. The moniker “Sweet Auburn” was coined by John Wesley Dobbs, a Civil Rights activist, and in 1956, Fortune magazine named it the wealthiest Black neighborhood in the country. Martin Luther King Jr. was born there, and his activism made it a critical site for the Civil Rights Movement.
The neighborhood was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and today it’s home to museums, art and heritage sites that pay tribute to its rich history. There are self-guided walking tours, and Roger’s Red Jacket Tours also offers guided tours. Its Sweet Auburn Walking Tour, for groups of up to 12, tells some of the neighborhood’s most powerful stories. Several U.S. Civil Rights Trail sites are in the district, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, King’s birth home and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Other tour stops include the Atlanta Life Building and the office of the Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta’s oldest Black newspaper.
