Around the country, you can find tons of great attractions perfect for black history tours. If your group has an interest in this area, consider Atlanta, Washington, D.C., or Boston for a wealth of historic sites chronicling the role of African-Americans in our nation’s history.

Or, if you’re looking for a black history tour with a different kind of energy, a hip-hop tour in Harlem might be just the ticket. H3 Tours (that’s, Harlem Hip-Hop) offers tours and experiences all about hip-hop, Harlem history, and African-American culture that can be customized into amazing black history tours. Here are some of the attractions that can be customized into your tour.

The Apollo Theater – One of the most famous stages in America, the Apollo has launched the careers of Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, Stevie wonder, and so many more. A tour here showcases the history of the theater and memorabilia from its legends. You may even get a chance to perform onstage.

DJ Scratch Lessons – Technically, it’s called turntablism. Did you know that? With this experience, you’ll learn that and so much more about this iconic sound in authentic hip-hop music.

Hip-Hop On / Hip-Hop Off tour – A live DJ and a rapping MC are your guides for this hip-hop filled, official H3 Tours bus as you discover all the Harlem sites intrinsic to the history of hip-hop.

Music Studio Tour – Visit recording studios that are prominent in the world of hip-hop. You can even rap or sing for a souvenir recording of your own!

HOT 97 Experience Tour  - It’s the hottest radio station for the hip-hop scene in New York City and famous around the nation, and this tour lets you get behind the scenes.

Graffiti Hall of Fame – A part of the hip-hop on and off tour, the Graffiti Hall of Fame will make any guest a fan – or at least, an admirer of the art.

This is just the beginning. H3 Tours also offers shopping on the famous 125th Street in Harlem, hip-hop dance lessons, a classic Soul Food Lunch, and inspiring workshops in entrepreneurship at both the Applebees franchise and with the H3 Tours founder and CEO herself, Adrienne Smith. Harlem Hip-Hop Tours is a great way to go for fun and exciting tours with a high-energy focus on black history.

Photo by JJ & Special K on Flickr.

You know what words I like? Heritage and Legacy. One describes an understanding of where you’ve been, or at least of the people and events behind you that led to who you are. The other describes something left behind, either for you, or by you. I know neither are something most students sit and ponder for much of the day. But they should certainly figure in to student travel and educational tours.

Black history tours are some of our most popular along these lines. African-Americans have had an intense journey as US citizens. All US citizens come from a long line of independent thinkers and fighters of freedom. But for black Americans, that fight hit its peak in much more recent history. Students of black history are often very familiar with the stateside heritage of black Americans even before they travel. But how much more will that heritage come alive when they visit the places where civil rights heroes were birthed, the places where they spoke to thousands or to the places where African-Americans built churches, schools, and businesses that gave black Americans a place in the New World as well.

Boston, Massachusetts, is one exciting city for student travel that lends itself beautifully to a black history tour.

The Black Heritage Trail includes the African Meeting House, which served as both a church and a school until integration allowed students to be educated at the Phillips School – also part of the trail. These sites and others showcase the efforts of black Americans in Boston to build a legacy for their families, their children, and their future. All African-Americans in Boston were free by the year 1790, and the Black Heritage Trail lets that history shine.

The George Middleton House tells the story of black Americans in the American Revolution. Boston is rich with American Revolution history, and students will love learning about the role of black Americans in it. Middleton was said to have led the all-black company known as the Bucks of America. This site is part of the Black Heritage Trail. It’s located on Beacon Hill, a thrilling historic neighborhood in Boston that all groups should include in Boston tours.

The Harriet Tubman House is not just a tribute to that amazing icon of black history but to the architect who designed it. He was one of the few African-American architects at the time and won awards for his work.

Boston is filled with American history. It makes American heritage come alive for any student. And as you can see, students of black history can find extra value in this popular city for student travel.