There are plenty of places for history, or culture, or entertainment in D.C., but there are few where all three collide so well as on U Street.  Once the center of the city’s African American community, U Street has become a bustling spot for restaurants, bars, music and historic sites from the neighborhood’s past.

The area just north of downtown originally began as Civil War encampments housing freedom seekers in the 1860s.  Nearby Howard University attracted black intellectuals and artists from around the country in the following decades, and by the early 20th century the area was the center of D.C.’s black community. 

The birthplace of musician Duke Ellington, U Street was also a mecca for jazz and attracted greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday and Miles Davis.  Many played the landmark Howard Theater, still located in the neighborhood.

Other historic spots of interest include the African A

Read More >>