African-American Heritage Tour
Half-Day Itinerary:
• Start the day off at the National Constitution Center, making sure not to miss the live production of “Freedom Rising.” Just a short stroll away is the Liberty Bell and the President’s House Commemorative Site, which will honor the nine enslaved Africans who worked for President George Washington on the site of the nation’s first White House.
• For lunch, savor dishes from cheesesteaks to soul food at Center City Philadelphia’s authentic farmers market – Reading Terminal Market.
Make It a Full Day:
• Tour the Philadelphia Doll Museum, the only museum in the nation that showcases an impressive collection of black dolls depicted throughout history, or tour the Johnson House in Germantown, an important station on the Underground Railroad, featuring an interpretive experience.
• Listen to the sounds of blues, jazz, or gospel at one of the city’s live music clubs, such as World Café Live.
Make It a Weekend: Day 2
• Attend a service and be sure to tour the lower-level museum of Mother Bethel A.M.E. church, located on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans, and the birthplace of the A.M.E. faith.
• Head to Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Café, a charming BYOB featuring down-home Southern comfort cuisine in an upscale atmosphere.
• Create your own walking tour of Philadelphia focused on African American history in Philadelphia, including the African American Museum, the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the first major museum designed by a black architect.
• Watch a world-renowned performance at the Freedom Theatre, see PHILADANCO (the Philadelphia Dance Company) at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, or visit The Sound of Philadelphia gift shop, followed by dinner along the Avenue of the Arts.
See our Multicultural Attractions Profile Sheet for more great options.
