Top 5 Destinations to Visit for Black History Month

Each February, Black History Month invites people to travel with purpose. From museums reflecting centuries of resilience to streets where culture was shaped and movements began.

These places let visitors walk through history, honor struggles, and celebrate achievements. Here are five top experiences for this Black History Month.

1. International African American Museum – Charleston

Located on the historic Gadsden’s Wharf, the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston is where thousands of Africans first arrived before becoming part of the United States. This museum is quickly becoming a popular travel destination in the American South.

Opened in 2023 after two decades of planning, IAAM immersive galleries trace the journey from pre-enslavement West Africa to the Deep South’s Lowcountry. The museum provides a deeply emotional experience for visitors of all backgrounds.

Exhibits like African Roots/African Routes use artifacts, multimedia, and art to tell stories often overlooked in traditional travel guides. Historian Dr. Tonya Matthews, president of the museum, explains that IAAM honors “the enormity of the African American experience in both memory and potential,” giving travelers not just facts but also transformation.

2. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History – Detroit

In the heart of Detroit’s Cultural Center, Charles H. Wright Museum stands as a testament to endurance and identity. As one of the largest institutions of its kind, The Wright contains over 35,000 artifacts chronicling centuries of Black experience, from Underground Railroad documents to letters from Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.

Visitors during Black History Month can look forward to special programs, community events, and performances that highlight both historical depth and contemporary cultural innovation.

This museum serves as a living space rather than a static archive. Whether exploring genealogies or attending a jazz performance, travelers leave with a deeper understanding of Detroit’s role in American racial history.

3. National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis

Memphis is central to the civil rights movement in the United States. At the heart of it is the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.

The museum’s impactful exhibits cover more than five centuries of Black history, including slavery through Jim Crow and the civil rights movement. This provides a sobering but vital narrative of struggle and perseverance.

Beyond civil rights, Memphis celebrates the spirit of Black artistic achievement. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music honors legends like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes, reminding us that cultural innovation and social change often co-exist.

4. Harlem – New York

Harlem is not just a neighborhood; it symbolizes Black cultural growth. Its legacy began in the early 20th century during the Renaissance, when writers, musicians, and artists transformed American culture.

Today, the Apollo Theater showcases performances honoring icons from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown, while local restaurants and cultural tours keep Black creativity thriving.

Sylvia’s Restaurant has been a culinary landmark since 1962, feeding generations of visitors, artists, and activists. Its soul food is just as much a part of Harlem’s identity as jazz and literature.

5. Selma – Alabama

Selma is known for the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which offers one of the most powerful experiences for Black History Month travelers. Crossing the same bridge where protesters marched in 1965 connects visitors both physically and emotionally to the fight for voting rights.

The National Voting Rights Museum at the bridge’s foot enriches that connection. It outlines the long struggle for civic participation and civil rights. Special commemorative events for key anniversaries often happen during Black History Month, highlighting the ongoing importance of Selma’s legacy.

Why Travel Matters This Black History Month

These destinations are more than just places to visit, they are where stories, identities, and futures meet. Cultural historian Lonnie Bunch III said, “the African American experience is the lens through which we understand what it is to be American.”

Traveling to these sites during Black History Month can serve as both education and remembrance, building connections through shared histories.