Domestic Destinations To Explore Your Roots
President Donald Trump has moved to have The United States Department of State (DOS) minimize Black History Month by highlighting the “valuable contributions of individual Americans throughout U.S. history,” but to do so in a manner that keeps the “spirit” of anti-DEI orders. With the current political climate, those who are able should make it a point to do the opposite.
“While someone has tried to cancel Black History Month… that is NOT happening in our office. If there was any time to highlight our accomplishments, it’s now,” wrote Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett on social media in the wake of Trump’s orders.
This means supporting local Black-owned businesses, sharing important facts online, and being intentional in supporting marginalized people within the community. Another opportunity to do so is through exploration.
A trolley passes the site where civil rights icon Rosa Parks was arrested December 1, 1955, for not giving up her bus seat to a white man October 28, 2005 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
You may have never heard anyone say “Pack your bags, it’s Black History Month,” however the 28-day recognition of history, and culture is the perfect moment to venture out and learn new information, as well as uplift and uncover stories that are little-known or untold.
According to Trip Advisor and GroupBlack’s Black Travel Today report, 70% of Black travelers out of 1000 surveyed say they are more likely to consider a destination that highlights its inclusion efforts. This means that whether going near or far, Black people prefer to be in spaces where we are not only present, but also destinations that recognize our cultural contributions.
Church sign on building as guest arrive to attend the 60th Commemoration of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing on September 15, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Butch Dill – Pool/Getty Images
A road trip or a quick weekend getaway via air travel might not only be the perfect escape, but also a fulfilling experience with respect for the rich history established by Black Americans across the country. While some cities such as Birmingham, AL., Atlanta, Washington D.C., or Detroit might be obvious choices, several cities capture the spirit of Black excellence of the past, present, and future.
Read below for seven travel destinations to explore Black History.
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Baltimore, Maryland
Image Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Nicknamed The Charm City, Baltimore has several places of African-American interest, including the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum. Additionally, visitors can stay at the Ivy Hotel in Mount Vernon, the only Black-owned luxury hotel in Baltimore.
Baltimore Museum of Industry, the B&O Railroad Museum, the James E. Lewis Museum of Art, Morgan State University Student Center, the Sankofa Children’s Museum, and the Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum are also great choices to explore Black History.
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Chattanooga, Tennessee
Image Credit: John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images Memphis and Nashville might be more known, however Chattanooga, TN holds its own as a vibrant city with cultural relevance. For Black History Month, look into The Bessie Smith Cultural Center for info on the “Empress of the Blues” and other important Black figures. Also, during Black History Month, the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center pays homage to Tennessean and Medal of Honor Recipient George Jordan.
Additionally, there are several murals near the Tennessee Riverwalk that also depict Black history and a handful of nearby Black-owned restaurants to satisfy all cravings.
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Image Credit: Mike Simons/Getty Images Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Northern Kentucky region is often referred to as where “north meets the south.” Home of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, for Black History Month 2025, the Freedom Center has multiple events planned throughout the month.
Additionally, the Queen City is home to the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame founded by Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece. The interactive monument pays respect to musicians born and raised in Southwest Ohio (Cincinnati, Dayton, Hamilton, Middletown, and Springfield), as well as acts that were greatly influenced by the area, such as The Deele, L.A. Reid and Babyface, Louise Shropshire, Philippé Wynne, James Brown, Midnight Star, Penny Ford, Hi-Tek, Wilbert Longmire, Bootsy Collins, The Isley Brothers, Dr. Charles Fold, and Otis Williams.
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Louisville, Kentucky
Image Credit: David Lutman/Getty Images Lousiville, KY offers several experiences that pay homage to Black history.
The Frazier Kentucky History Museum offers a tour focusing on Black Americans’ contributions to the bourbon industry, and The Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company invites visitors for a tour and tasting, as does Brough Brothers, the first African American-owned distillery in the city.
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory highlights stories from the Black baseball players. Visitors to the Ville can also check out the Muhammad Ali Center, now part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail which honors over 100 historic sites, including the newly added SEEK Museum in Russellville and Louisville’s Downtown Civil Rights Trail.
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Greensboro, North Carolina
Image Credit: John Bordsen/Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images In Greensboro, NC., visitors can find the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, located at the very spot where the famous 1960 sit-in at the Woolworth’s lunch counter took place. There is also the Historic Magnolia House, a restored inn, which served as a sanctuary for prominent figures during the Green Book era of Black travel.
Additionally, extend the road trip with a side mission to Charlotte, NC to visit the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture.
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St. Louis, Missouri
Image Credit: Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images A trip to St. Louis offers a full itinerary, including a visit to the National Blues Museum, the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, where members of the 56th U.S. Colored Infantry are honored, and the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing with insight into the Underground Railroad.
There is also the Field House Museum, a National Historic Landmark where Dred and Harriet’s fight for freedom began.
Additional places to visit include the Missouri Civil War Museum, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, and the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre.
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U.S. Virgin Islands
Image Credit: Dennis Frates/Avalon/Universal Images Group via Getty Images During Black History Month, the U.S. Virgin Islands hosts Agrifest in St. Croix, described as the largest agricultural fair in the Caribbean, celebrating the agricultural heritage of the island and its connection to African, Taino, and European traditions.
Visitors can also visit the Estate Whim Sugar Mill on St. Croix to learn more about the islands’ sugar plantation history, or Annaberg on St. John, the park’s most accessible historic site and a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the history and heritage.
There are also dining opportunities at Gladys’ Cafe and the Caribbean Fish Market on St. Thomas and on St Croix, La Reine Chicken Shack.
