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U Street Food & History Guided Walking Tour

5 (248)
Washington, US
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U Street Food & History Guided Walking Tour

5 (248)
Washington, US
Share
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Discover the vibrant culture and history of U Street on this Food, History, and Street Art Tour. Immerse yourself in the heyday of "Black Broadway" and the Jazz Era as you explore the neighborhood's iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Marvel at the captivating murals, sculptures, and street art while learning about the talented artists behind them. Delve into the Civil Rights riots that shaped the city and its landscape, gaining a deeper understanding of the city's evolution. Indulge in a variety of cuisines that showcase the authentic flavors and history of this dynamic neighborhood. Don't miss the chance to experience U Street, a must-visit spot in DC. As you embark on this tour, know that a portion of each ticket sale goes towards supporting Bread For The City, an organization dedicated to reducing poverty in DC. Join this tour and embark on a sensory journey filled with culture, history, and delectable flavors.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 3 hours
  • Suitable for 2-4 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Discover DC's diverse culinary roots and history
  • Sample quintessential DC flavors
  • Reveal stories behind tucked away murals and sculptures
  • Learn about the Civil Rights riots that shaped the city
  • Explore the architecture and evolution of U Street
  • Lunch
  • Local/professional guide
  • Historical Content
  • Donation to our local charity partner - enough to feed a DC resident in need three full meals
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction:

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood of U Street in Washington, D.C. with the U Street: Food, History, and Street Art Tour. Step into the past as your experienced guide takes you through the heyday of "Black Broadway" and the Jazz Era, revealing intriguing stories about the area's iconic clubs and the famous artists who launched their careers here. Along the way, discover hidden gems of street art and sculptures that hold deep cultural significance. This tour is not only a culinary adventure but also an exploration of the profound impact of civil rights movements on the city's landscape. U Street is a place where history meets contemporary art and mouthwatering cuisine, offering an unforgettable journey through time and taste.

What to expect:

During the 180-minute tour, you'll explore the U Street corridor, a diverse neighborhood teeming with history. Meet your guide just outside the restaurant, where you'll embark on a culinary and cultural journey. As you stroll along the vibrant streets, your guide will bring the past to life, sharing fascinating stories and insights. Visit landmarks like the Lincoln Theater, learning about its historical significance. You'll also encounter the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, which holds profound tales of the African American community's struggle for freedom. Though the tour's emphasis is on history and street art, expect to indulge your taste buds with a variety of cuisines that reflect the neighborhood's cultural heritage.

Who is this for?

The U Street: Food, History, and Street Art Tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and foodies alike. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Washington, D.C., this tour offers a unique and immersive experience. If you appreciate the fusion of culture, art, and cuisine, you'll find delight in exploring the lesser-known aspects of U Street's history. This tour caters to a wide range of interests, from those who want to learn about the Civil Rights movement to those who simply want to taste the diverse flavors that define this authentically DC neighborhood. Everyone is welcome to join this captivating journey through time and the senses.

Why book this?

By booking the U Street: Food, History, and Street Art Tour, you'll gain access to a world that's often hidden to the average tourist. Discover the captivating stories and lesser-known facets of U Street's rich history. Your experienced guide will not only take you to the popular landmarks, but they will also unveil the hidden gems and the stories behind the stunning street art. Delight in the opportunity to sample a variety of cuisines that reflect the neighborhood's multicultural heritage. Furthermore, by booking this tour, you'll be contributing to a worthy cause—every ticket sale includes a donation to Bread For The City, an organization dedicated to reducing poverty in D.C. Through this immersive and authentic experience, you'll create lasting memories while supporting the local community.

Good to know:

When booking the U Street: Food, History, and Street Art Tour, please inform the organizers of any food allergies you may have. This will ensure that they can cater to your specific dietary needs and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The tour lasts approximately 180 minutes, allowing ample time to savor each moment and delight in the sights, flavors, and knowledge that await you. Remember to arrive five minutes before the scheduled tour time and meet your guide outside the designated restaurant. Inclusions and exclusions will be listed in the booking details, providing you with all the necessary information to plan your journey.

Reviews:

Previous participants in the U Street: Food, History, and Street Art Tour have sung its praises, highlighting the perfect mix of delicious cuisine and fascinating historical insights. Many appreciated the wealth of knowledge shared by the guides, making the tour an enriching learning experience. Travelers praised the well-curated itinerary, which balanced food tastings, artistic discoveries, and significant landmarks. Participants also expressed their appreciation for the tour's positive impact, as a portion of each ticket sale is donated to Bread For The City, helping alleviate poverty in D.C. Overall, reviews articulate the U Street tour as an exceptional way to delve into the heart and soul of one of D.C.'s most culturally significant neighborhoods.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

U Street

Our tour will take place predominantly along the U St corridor, which is rich with history. We'll stop in several places between restaurants to share the history and culture of this diverse neighborhood.

Lincoln Theatre

We'll stop outside of Lincoln Theater and speak briefly about the history of the building and events that have happened there.

African American Civil War Memorial Museum

(Pass by)

We'll point out the African American Civil War Memorial, outside of the Civil War Museum. We encourage everyone to return and explore the memorial and the museum on your own time.

Reviews

(248)

5 (248)

U7217GUtarar

As a DC local, I wholeheartedly recommend this guided food tour! It offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and transformation of U St, helping you understand its vibrant character today. The tour includes stops at four diverse restaurants, showcasing American, Ethiopian, Cuban cuisines, and ending with a delightful dessert. Our guide, Vanesa, was incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, eagerly answering questions and engaging with everyone. The walking route is mostly flat and covers just a few blocks, making it accessible for all ages. It truly offers a delightful experience with something for everyone to enjoy!

Peggy_S

The guide was fabulous, and the history was outstanding. The food was so-so - 4 stops with one being a regular ice cream store. Interesting foods, but not always tasty.

debbiedO2733EF

Such a great tour. We ate at 4 different unique restaurants and had a comprehensive tour of the U street area! Sanika and Vanesa were amazing tour guides. Super informative and fun.

Andy_H

1. Great food. Half-smokes were my favorite. My wife leaned towards the pastelitos. 2. Excellent tour guide in Rasheed - he was highly knowledgeable and shared a ton of local history and personal experiences with us. 3. Very cool area to walk around and learn about the food and culture. Overall great tour - THANKS!

Dolly_M

Loved the story telling and the deep learning every step of the way. Not only did we get the opportunity to taste the culture we were learning about but we truly felt like we walked away with more knowledge than we signed up for

Angela_P

The food tour with Blue Fern Travel was amazing! My boyfriend and I were extremely pleased with our tour guide Jim’s knowledge of the community, his personal stories about experiences he’d had in the U Street Corridor, as well as his desire to ensure we had a fantastic experience. We visited four selectively chosen spots that did not disappoint. This tour was certainly a focus on Quality vs Quantity; and my boyfriend and I were not disappointed. Our favorite stop was an Ethiopian cafe that is sure to please all. It was our first Ethiopian dining experience, even though we live in Houston, Texas and can easily access Ethiopian cuisine. The presentation of the food, cleanliness of the cafe, and eclectic spices used in the dish made our experience one to remember. You too will enjoy it. Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Colada were also superb. However, our last stop was Jeni’s Ice Cream, and it was the perfect finish. This ice cream was served in a warm waffle cone and made every bite worth the time we plan to spend in the gym working it off! Absolutely fantastic tour! We recommend this tour with Blue Fern Travel. You will enjoy it!

hi639623

I felt that the amount of walking was just right, and everyone was happy with the amount of food. Would have loved to learn more about the food itself. The cost of this tour is a bit high but the company is ethical and approaching things the right way so we're happy to support them.

JOy_B

The tour is a little light. Would enjoy *more* info about neighborhood history, what was going on in the U.S. in general at that time, additional mural visits (I think we visited 2), just more in depth info. Guide was nice and fun, however. We did 4 food stops. First two are neighborhood establishments (savory). Second two (dessert) seemed to be chains? Disappointed compared to other foodie tours we've taken, but we would still recommend to friends.

B9343PJkellyb

Pleasantly full is how I feel having just spent the afternoon in the U Street corridor with Jim. A food tour is never just about the food, and wow does this tour deliver. Get ready for a dive into the complex and beautiful story about U Street/ Black Broadway, the complex cycle of urban flight and regentrification, and the efforts of African American soldiers in the civil war. You will emerge knowing more about the city than you entered, and will have munched your way through it all. Arrive with an empty stomach, the first two stops serve full portions (and you will not finish the food at stop two…you just can’t). Starting a Ben’s Chili bowl, then traversing from its Trinidadian roots to Ethiopian cuisine is a culinary adventure. Also, any food tour that begins by giving you a full bottle of water warms my heart right away, and that will get you through stops 1 and 2, with a glass of water meeting you at stop 3 where you journey will evolve from savory to sweet. You’ll leave with a new friend (seriously, he told us to save his number and let him know how our food adventures go from here) and a list of Jim’s favorite DC area restaurants. We will definitely be looking for him on his Georgetown tour in the future.

Linda_C

The black history of the region was very interesting. It was a vibrant community with the blacks helping blacks. Then the riots happened and ruined a good community. We felt like it wasn’t a good value because the food did not justify the high cost. I understand the Ben’s is historical but half smoked dog, bottled water and a bag of chips wasn’t that good. Ethiopian Food and Cuban pastries were thoroughly enjoyed by all. The ice cream was ice cream , not really historical or ethnic.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-23 10:26