In tribute to the legacy of the freedom fighters before us, we rounded up a few locations across America that mark some of the most important moments of our history. Visiting these locations can be a great way to reconnect with the past, and are accessible by Amtrak.
Amtrak is the best way to visit these places. Rather than traveling by road or air, Amtrak provides a unique experience offering customers a comfortable and relaxing travel experience. Amtrak connects more than 500 communities, enabling passengers to reach almost any destination with no airplane mode, no middle seats and without the stress and hassles of driving.
Spanning the East Coast, the Midwest and the West Coast, below are a few historic sites rich in black culture that we should all consider visiting.
1. New York, New York
New York is a great place to visit during Black History Month because it is the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance. You can visit the home of Langston Hughes or take a walking tour of Harlem. The Apollo Theater is also a great place to visit while you’re in the Big Apple.
The Apollo Theater
Photo: apollotheater.org
The Apollo Theater is one of the most famous performance venues for African-American performers. Entertainers such as James Brown, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye have set foot on its stage. It’s also home to the nationally recognized show “Showtime at the Apollo.” This historic site is the perfect place to visit if you are a huge fan of music, culture and entertainment.
2. Washington, D.C.
The next stop on the East Coast is the nation’s capital. Take Amtrak to Union Station, located just blocks from The U.S. Capitol. D.C. has breathtaking historic monuments, museums and sites dedicated to black history, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, a 30-foot statue that honors the prominent civil rights leader. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is another great place to visit while you’re in Chocolate City.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Photo: Washington.org
As the newest museum added to the National Mall, the highly anticipated National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of the top places to visit while in D.C. The museum holds almost 4,000 artifacts that help tell the story of not only black history, but American history. If you’re looking to visit, check out the multiple options to obtain a pass since advance tickets go very quickly when released.
3. Chicago, Illinois
The next stop on our journey is in the Midwest. In Chicago, visitors can explore many historic sites that recognize black history, like the DuSable Museum of African American History. It is the first and oldest museum of African-American history and culture. Visitors can also look forward to taking a trip to visit the Barack Obama Presidential Library, which opens in 2020. It will be located in Jackson Park. Want more places to check out? The Ida B. Wells-Barnett House is another great place to visit while you’re in the Windy City.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett House
Photo: flickr.com
Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist for a newspaper in Chicago and a 19th-century civil rights advocate. In her work, she brought attention to the lynchings of African-Americans in the South. Her home, while not open to the public, is located at 3624 S. Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago.
4. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is well known for its soul music and civil rights museums that tell the stories of civil rights history in the city. It is home to the Memphis Rock ‘n' Soul Museum. The museum has artifacts and exhibits that tell history through music, story and film. The National Civil Rights Museum is one of the most notable sites to visit while you’re in Memphis.
National Civil Rights Museum
Photo: bikeacrossamerica.org
The National Civil Rights Museum is located across the street from the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. This year, the museum will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of King’s death. Visitors can learn about the civil rights movement since the 17th century, Jim Crow and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
5. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles offers many sites for passengers to visit, such as Biddy Mason Memorial Park, which honors the former slave who became a prominent real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist in the 1850s and 1860s. The California African American Museum is another place to check out while you’re in Los Angeles.
California African American Museum
Photo: ileadexploration.org
The California African American Museum incorporates items from African-American history with contemporary themes and is the first black museum fully supported by a state. At the museum, visitors can view 4,000 items to learn about the important role black people played in the development of America’s West Coast.
Book your trip with Amtrak to visit these historical sites across the country during Black History Month or anytime during the year!
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