Have you ever considered taking an Amtrak train ride? If not, would you reconsider if it led you to underrated Amtrak travel destinations rich in Black history and culture?
For some, Amtrak routes are simply a way to get from point A to point B. For others, the Amtrak route is the journey. Whatever brought you here, as someone who has taken over 30 Amtrak rides, I can tell you it is worth it.
Train travel offers a completely different experience compared to flying:
The biggest benefit is that it invites you to travel more intentionally.
Now imagine pairing that experience with Amtrak destinations that let you explore Black history, culture, and community in meaningful ways. Need further convincing? Check out my podcast interview with Sojourner White, aka Train Travel Queen: She Chooses Trains Over Planes…Here’s Why!
Why visit:
Indianapolis had its own jazz culture that played an important role in shaping the city’s Black cultural scene, even though it is often overlooked today.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
Take a sneaker design class with Kicasso. This is a unique experience where you create your own custom sneakers and leave with something you can actually wear. This is an example of Celebrate Black & Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Cincinnati, OH, sits along the Ohio River and offers beautiful waterfront views. The river also holds deep connections to the Underground Railroad, something you will feel throughout the city. You can also explore two states in one trip by walking or riding across the bridge into Covington, Kentucky.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
Visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH. This museum thoughtfully covers the history of slavery, connects it to modern-day forms of oppression, and highlights Black excellence. There are also powerful film experiences throughout. This is an example of Learn Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read Blog Posts for More Information
Why visit:
Milwaukee offers a meaningful opportunity to explore Black life rich in community, culture, and everyday experiences.
Amtrak route:
Black-owned must-do:
Enjoy a tea experience at HoneyBee Sage. The space is peaceful, the tea is flavorful, and the presentation makes you want to slow down and savor the moment. This is an example of Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read Blog Posts for More Information
Why visit:
Cleveland is a city rooted in community with a growing focus on revitalization and local impact.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
Visit Chateau Hough Vineyard. It is Cleveland’s only urban vineyard & winery, created with a mission to provide job skills and education, particularly for formerly incarcerated individuals. This is an example of Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
From its deep roots in Blues music to its role in shaping conversations around racial justice with the Dred Scott decision, this is a city where you can both learn and feel the impact of Black stories, past and present.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
For a uniquely St. Louis food experience, try snoot at Smoki O’s, where it was invented. It is a mix between pork skins and bacon, made from the pig’s nose, grilled until crisp, and served like a chip. It reminded me of pork rinds. This is an example of Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Traveling While Black: St. Louis Black-Owned Guid
Why visit:
Detroit is the birthplace of Motown and a city where you can experience the legacy of Black music, culture, and entrepreneurship while seeing a city in the middle of an exciting comeback.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
Listen to live music at Raven’s Lounge & Restaurant, a very intimate, laid-back spot that offers Southern soul food, drinks, and live blues acts from Thursday to Saturday from 9 pm – 2 am. As Michigan’s oldest Blues Bar, it has been around since the 1950’s. It is also one of Detroit’s last live blues venues. This is an example of Celebrate Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Traveling While Black: Detroit Black-Owned Guide
Why visit:
Lancaster is often associated with Amish culture, but it also has deep connections to Black history and was listed in the Green Book.
Amtrak routes:
Support BLACK must-do:
Take an African American Heritage Tour in Lancaster through the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania. This experience challenges common assumptions about the area and highlights stories of Black resistance and movement that many people do not expect to find here. Also, visit the new Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center. This is an example of Learn Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Harrisburg offers a mix of history, culture, and underrated local spots worth exploring.
Amtrak routes:
Support BLACK must-do:
Visit Urban Churn. This is some of the best ice cream I have had. It is incredibly smooth and features unique flavor combinations. This is an example of Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Wilmington, DE is a small but culturally rich city with deep ties to Black music and jazz history.
Amtrak routes:
Support BLACK must-do:
Attend the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz festivals on the East Coast, honoring legendary trumpeter Clifford Brown. This is an example of Celebrate Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Delaware blog posts
Why visit:
Harpers Ferry is a powerful historic site with very unexpected deep connections to Black history, education, and resistance.
Amtrak routes:
Support BLACK must-do:
Take a Harpers Ferry Park tour and request a focus on Black history. One of the most surprising things you may learn about is Storer College and its significance as West Virginia’s first historically black college. This is an example of Learn Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Located just outside Washington DC, Alexandria offers a charming environment layered with complex Black history and culture.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
Eat at Café Du Soleil. The ambiance is inviting, and the breakfast sandwiches are a standout. This is an example of Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Traveling While Black: Alexandria Black-Owned Guide
Why visit:
Baltimore is a city rich with Black history, culture, and creativity. From the legacy of leaders like Frederick Douglass to its thriving arts, food, and music scenes, Baltimore invites you to explore the stories that shaped the city and celebrate the communities continuing to shape it today.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned must-do:
Visit the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, a one-of-a-kind cultural institution and the first wax museum of African American history in the nation. Founded in 1983, the museum features more than 100 wax figures and historical scenes, including a full-size replica of a slave ship representing the Atlantic Slave Trade, as well as exhibits highlighting the contributions of important Black Marylanders throughout history. This is an example of Learn Black and Amplify Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Traveling While Black: Baltimore Black-Owned Guide
Why visit:
Williamsburg is widely known for colonial history, but there are also opportunities to explore Black and Indigenous narratives that are often overlooked.
Amtrak routes:
Support BLACK must-do:
Grab a cookie from Cookie Chris. These are some of the best cookies I have had, crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside with creative toppings. This is an example of Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Also, take a walking tour with a local guide, Trish, who centers Black and Indigenous history. This is essential if you want a fuller understanding of the region. I highly recommend This is an example of Learn Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Newark is one of those cities that people overlook because of its proximity to NYC, but it’s full of Black history, culture, and a growing entrepreneurial scene that feels very community-driven.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
One of the most unique things you can do is visit the Krueger-Scott Mansion, once owned by Newark’s first African American female millionaire, Madame Louise Scott. Today, the space has been reimagined by Makerhoods, bringing new life to her legacy through co-working spaces, events, workshops, and community-centered programming. You can take a monthly tour with Have You Met Newark Tours, and if you’re there on a Sunday, check out their farmers market featuring BIPOC entrepreneurs. This is an example of Learn Black, Amplify Black, and Knowingly in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Rhode Island might not be the first place you think of, but that’s exactly what makes it special. There’s a strong Black community here, and you can also explore some really cute small towns that give that classic New England feel.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
Visit the African American Museum of Rhode Island. Their exhibit, “Mapping Black Providence 1940s–1970s,” traces the vibrant community life of Black Rhode Islanders across Fox Point, Lippitt Hill, University Heights, and South Providence during one of the city’s most important periods of growth and change. Also, visit the RISD Museum, which features diverse artwork, including Black art. This is an example of Learn Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Traveling While Black: Rhode Island Black-Owned Guide
Why visit:
Like Providence, New London is one of those places you might not expect to have a strong Black history, but it’s there and being intentionally highlighted. From the New London Black Heritage Trail to the annual Black history boat tour, the stories are there if you take the time to explore. Plus, it has that classic New England waterfront feel.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
If you can, plan your visit around the White Sails, Black Hands boat tour for a deeper look into the area’s maritime history. I also recommend supporting a Haitian-owned spot, Favorite Bistro Bar. This is an example of Learn Black and Buy Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
New Haven is a smaller city with a strong sense of community and a growing space for Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and cultural events that bring people together.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
Check out their yearly Black Wall Street Festival, which focuses on supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs and creatives. It’s all about building community and creating more opportunities for economic growth in New Haven. This is an example of Buy Black, Amplify Black, and Celebrate Black in action in my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
San Diego offers beautiful weather, coastal views, and a growing Black cultural scene that’s easy to tap into as you explore the city.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
There are plenty of Black cultural spaces to explore in San Diego. Start with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts (SDAAMFA), which focuses on preserving and showcasing African American art. You can also visit the Casa del Rey Moro African Museum in Old Town, home to a wide collection of artifacts spanning African history from ancient to modern times. This is an example of Learn Black in action within my Support BLACK framework.
Read blog post for more information: Exploring “America’s Finest City:” A Guide to San Diego, CA
Why visit:
Mobile is one of those underrated Southern cities with deep Black history, strong cultural roots, and is actually the birthplace of Mardi Gras, which often gets overlooked.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
Visit Africatown Heritage House to learn the story of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S., and the community built by its survivors. You can also take a local tour for a deeper experience. If you can, plan your visit around Mardi Gras in Mobile. This is an example of “Learn Black” and “Celebrate Black” in action within my Support BLACK framework.
Why visit:
Jackson is a cornerstone of Black history and the Civil Rights Movement, with powerful stories and spaces that still shape the city today. Jackson is a must-visit for understanding the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of Black resistance in America.
Amtrak routes:
Black-owned thing to do:
You can explore the Farish Street Historic District, once a thriving hub for Black-owned businesses, music, and culture, as it undergoes revitalization. While there, stop by Marshall’s Music and Book Store, the nation’s oldest Black-owned bookstore, and grab a bite at Big Apple Inn, a Jackson staple since the 1930s known for keeping its menu simple and consistent. This is an example of “Buy Black” in action within my Support BLACK framework.
Traveling by train offers a different way to experience the United States. It allows you to slow down, reflect, and engage more deeply with the places you visit.
These underrated Amtrak travel destinations show that meaningful Black experiences are not limited to major cities. There is history, culture, and community everywhere if you take the time to look. You may consider these destinations as your main trip, or you may consider them as a sidequest, whether it’s a day trip or weekend trip, to a major city.
Whether you are planning a solo trip, a micro-cation, or your journey across all 50 states, consider taking the train.
For this episode across platforms, check it out here.
Because sharing is caring and it costs nothing!
Welcome to the Franny the Traveler blog! I’m Dr. Franny, a national award-winning educator, entrepreneur, author, and Black travel enthusiast on a personal mission to make every destination a Black-owned destination. As I visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50, this Black travel blog is a growing collection of Black-owned city guides, itineraries, travel tips, and reflections on traveling while Black for the conscious traveler. I’m so happy you’re here!
