Juneteenth is almost here and there is no better time to plan a quick outing to discover the abundance of Black history around the D.C. area. Even with gas prices on the rise, there are plenty of places to explore in our own backyard. The day trips we’ve suggested all have different ways of providing an enhanced understanding of American history. If you’ve worked up an appetite after all that education, we’ve also got some Black-owned restaurants — and others that are owned by people of color — to recommend. (Looking for more options? Check out our wider-ranging guide of lesser-known D.C.-area day trips.)
Annapolis, Maryland
In less than an hour you could be in the heart of historic Annapolis to watch the boats sail by and enjoy the gentle breezes coming from the Chesapeake Bay.
At nearby City Dock, you can see the Kunta Kinte – Alex Haley Memorial that pays tribute to the Haley family’s ancestor that was documented in the book Roots and its related TV mini-series. It is also a physical dedication to all the African ancestors that endured the middle passage and arrived on the shores of the Americas as enslaved people. Make sure to mark your calendar for the annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival in Annapolis in September, which showcases African American culture through food, music and fellowship.
Downtown Annapolis is the perfect place to discover unique boutiques that sell everything from Maryland memorabilia to nautical attire. If you’re visiting Annapolis on a weekday, another landmark to check off your list is the Maryland State House. In addition to seeing the halls of government, you can also view the room where George Washington resigned his position as the Commanding General of the Continental Army. There are also statues of Frederick Douglass and Harriett Tubman within the chambers.
Looking for a pit stop to round out your day trip? Consider stopping at Sweet Eden Bakeshop in Severn, Maryland. Kendra Eden is a classically trained pastry chef trained at Johnson & Wales University. All her pastries, from the custom cakes to the creatively flavored macarons, are baked on site with the freshest ingredients. A couple of Sweet Eden’s best sellers are the red velvet cupcake and the chocolate macaron.
By car is your best bet for getting to Annapolis on weekends, though there are commuter buses that go there on weekdays through the Maryland Transit system.
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is known as being an authentically colonial town that is steeped in historic heritage. Chatham Manor is the perfect example to learn about the juxtaposition of the opulence of the plantation owners and the enslaved community that built the house and sustained its operations. The historic house and grounds are under the care of the National Park Service (NPS) and the agency has done an excellent job of strategically placing informative signage that explains the daily lives of the enslaved community. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week and there is no admission fee.
As for food, you have to check out … Foode! (Pronounced Foodie.) This community gem from Chef Joy Crump is in the former National Bank Building in Fredericksburg’s historic downtown. The restaurant offers American Southern cuisine and is well known for their fried chicken, as well as creative cocktails that round out the meal. When making your reservations, request to be seated in the bank vault to make your visit a memorable experience.
Getting to Fredericksburg is a direct drive down Interstate 95 that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on the time of day. Alternatively, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) or Amtrak both drop you off in the historic area of Fredericksburg.
Orange County, Virginia
Centrally located between Fredericksburg and Charlottesville in the piedmont region, Orange County, Virginia, might not be the first place you think of when you think of Black history. But Gordonsville’s The Exchange Hotel & Civil War Museum is a must-see.
At the conclusion of the Civil War, the Freedmen’s Bureau used The Exchange building as an outpost to assist the formerly enslaved community in settling disputes with former plantation owners, educate the African American youth in the county and provide medical care. Now, the museum offers exhibits that illuminate that history — as well as some “paranormal tours” in the evening. (Entrance fee is $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-8.) Be sure to check out signage located outside the museum that touts Gordonsville as the Chicken Capital of the World. This title comes from the many African American women who were vendors that sold chicken dinners to train passengers.
You cannot visit Central Virginia without doing a wine tasting at a Virginia winery. Sweet Vines Farm Winery is an optimal choice after a stop in Gordonsville, as it is believed to be . True to its name, the establishment, owned by Seidah Armstrong, specializes in wines that are on the sweeter side. Six wines are currently in rotation and range in price from $25-$30 per bottle.
The best option to access the area is by car, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
To some people, West Virginia may seem like a world away. In reality, it is only a little over an hour drive through Maryland on I-270 — definitely possible for a day trip.
If you’re headed to Harper’s Ferry, Storer College, the former Historically Black College/University (HBCU), is a must-see. The college was founded after the Civil War and had abolitionist Frederick Douglass as a member of the board of trustees. One of the most significant historical accomplishments that occurred at Storer College was the Niagara Movement of 1906 which spearheaded the creation of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The college closed down in 1955 The campus grounds are open every day from sunrise to sunset and there is no admission fee.
As for other things to do, Harper’s Ferry offers the chance to check the National Park’s archeological sites, do some shopping at the town’s antiques shops, or for the more outdoorsy, hike up to a scenic overlook showing where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet.
If you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to neighboring Charles Town to check out Cocina Plantasaurus, a Puerto Rican vegan restaurant that brings all the traditional flavors of the Caribbean island to West Virginia. Food — which comes in plentiful portions — is made fresh to order and you can actually watch as the mofongo is being shaped in a wooden mortar. Prices range from $5-$17.
Alexandria
For a day trip a little closer to home, take the short car, train, water taxi, or even bike commute to Old Town Alexandria and you can immediately begin to traverse the cobblestone streets of the city that’s been recognized by Southern Living Magazine as one of the “South’s Best Cities on the Rise in 2022”.
To maximize your time and get a comprehensive interpretation of Black history in the city look no further than Manumission Tour Company. This Black-owned company was founded by native Alexandrian and Alexandria City Council member John Chapman. Choose from one of three walking tours that focus on different areas of the city and stop by historical sites such as the Freedom House, which was the former Franklin & Armfield Slave Pen that was a thriving slave trading business from 1828-1861. Each tour costs $15 for adults and $12 for children. All tours can be booked online.
After all that walking, Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats is the perfect indulgence to round out your visit in Alexandria. The retro vibes and classic R&B music coming from the old school ice cream truck often parked outside puts you in a good mood and ready to devour their infamous “ice cream donutwich.”
