Washington DC Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour - U Street Corridor memorials, museums, theaters & restaurants
Places: 22 POIs
Distance: 1.31 mi
Duration: 1h:10m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Tour #199
About this English self-guided 1h:10m walking tour in Washington, DC
Let's explore some historic and iconic sites around the U Street Corridor!
We've got theaters, restaurants, memorials, museums and of course somewhere to stop and grab a drink or two. Experience the rich history and influence of African American culture through some of the oldest and most influential landmarks in the U Street Corridor. Let's go!
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.04mi
, Attraction : Metro station
U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo, 1240 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
U Street/African-American Civil War/Cardozo metro station
Our first stop on this tour is on this corner,
at the U Street/African-American Civil War/Cardozo metro station.
It is hard to believe that at some point this massive infrastructure used to be the home to several establishments including The Republic Theatre.
Back in 1921, it was located at the heart of the U Street African-American shopping district,
and was known as a ‘negro’ theatre, during America’s segregation era.
Its auditorium seated around 1,250 people.
The theatre was demolished in 1976 to make room for the new Metro system.
And don’t get me wrong, I do love the Metro system, but it’s too bad that the Republic Theatre no longer exists.
As commuters and visitors are busy bustling through the station, in a previous life this landmark housed a quaint and stunning theatre where African-Americans enjoyed the latest movies and cinema.
Our next stop is right across the street at The Lincoln Theatre. So head across the street and I’ll see you there.
at the U Street/African-American Civil War/Cardozo metro station.
It is hard to believe that at some point this massive infrastructure used to be the home to several establishments including The Republic Theatre.
Back in 1921, it was located at the heart of the U Street African-American shopping district,
and was known as a ‘negro’ theatre, during America’s segregation era.
Its auditorium seated around 1,250 people.
The theatre was demolished in 1976 to make room for the new Metro system.
And don’t get me wrong, I do love the Metro system, but it’s too bad that the Republic Theatre no longer exists.
As commuters and visitors are busy bustling through the station, in a previous life this landmark housed a quaint and stunning theatre where African-Americans enjoyed the latest movies and cinema.
Our next stop is right across the street at The Lincoln Theatre. So head across the street and I’ll see you there.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.02mi
, Attraction : Historic Theatre
1215 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
The Lincoln Theatre
Here we are at the Lincoln Theatre,
to our left.
Let's stop here for a moment while I tell you some stories.
Designed by architect Reginald Geare in 1921, and opening it's doors in 1922, the theatre was a cultural center in D.C., historically known for being headlined by Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey,
yet were joined by nationally acclaimed artists such as Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong.
If you haven’t heard of them, you should look them up!
Prior to its live performances and stage recognition, the Lincoln Theatre showcased silent film and vaudeville to DC’s African-American community.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt often celebrated his birthday and threw parties at the Lincoln Colonnade, a party hall once located at this theatre.
It closed shortly after the 1968 race-related riots. When it reopened, it served mostly as a movie theater until 1983.
Restored in 1994, it's been active ever since,
and now hosts some of the city’s most attractive musical acts and performers including Peter Frampton, Kendrick Lamar, and Billy Idol.
I think the only thing those three artists might have in common is that they’ve all performed at The Lincoln Theatre.
So you see how diverse the entertainment is that this theatre attracts.
I’ve seen numerous comedy acts there that had my sides hurting for days from all the laughter.
You really should check out some of the city’s live performances here and continue supporting the history of a vibrant cultural space!
Our next destination is about 10 paces to the east.
to our left.
Let's stop here for a moment while I tell you some stories.
Designed by architect Reginald Geare in 1921, and opening it's doors in 1922, the theatre was a cultural center in D.C., historically known for being headlined by Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey,
yet were joined by nationally acclaimed artists such as Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong.
If you haven’t heard of them, you should look them up!
Prior to its live performances and stage recognition, the Lincoln Theatre showcased silent film and vaudeville to DC’s African-American community.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt often celebrated his birthday and threw parties at the Lincoln Colonnade, a party hall once located at this theatre.
It closed shortly after the 1968 race-related riots. When it reopened, it served mostly as a movie theater until 1983.
Restored in 1994, it's been active ever since,
and now hosts some of the city’s most attractive musical acts and performers including Peter Frampton, Kendrick Lamar, and Billy Idol.
I think the only thing those three artists might have in common is that they’ve all performed at The Lincoln Theatre.
So you see how diverse the entertainment is that this theatre attracts.
I’ve seen numerous comedy acts there that had my sides hurting for days from all the laughter.
You really should check out some of the city’s live performances here and continue supporting the history of a vibrant cultural space!
Our next destination is about 10 paces to the east.
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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
U Street/African-American Civil War/Cardozo metro station
Place 2
The Lincoln Theatre
Place 3
Ben's Chili Bowl and Ben Ali Way
Place 4
True Reformer Building
Place 5
U Street Music Hall
Place 6
Lee's Flower Shop
Place 7
African-American Civil War Memorial
Place 8
T Street and Vermont Ave check-in
Place 9
Maya Angelou School
Place 10
All Souls Bar
Place 11
Right Proper Brewing and Mural
Place 12
The Howard Theater
Place 13
Duke Ellington Statue & Graffiti Wall
Place 14
The Kiss Lounge
Place 15
The Bible Bookstore
Place 16
801 Restaurant
Place 17
Nellie's
Place 18
Dirty Goose/Velvet Lounge
Place 19
Murals & More UCPlaces Tours
Place 20
Wet Dog/9:30 Club
Place 21
Howard University
Place 22
Florida Avenue Grill
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 22 stops, covering top attractions such as U Street/African-American Civil War/Cardozo metro station, The Lincoln Theatre, Ben's Chili Bowl and Ben Ali Way, True Reformer Building, U Street Music Hall.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at U Street/African-American Civil War/Cardozo metro station (Address: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo, 1240 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!