Martin Luther King Day Travel in the NE 2009
Northeast Vacations Celebrating African-American History
Jan 5, 2009
On January 19, many will celebrate and honor the life of Civil Rights Activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Numerous businesses, schools and governmental offices will be closed to commemorate the occasion. As a result, some will have a day off from work or school, making for an extended weekend and a great time for a family getaway.
In the northeast USA there are many places to visit and things to do in honor of King day.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Chicago
The Chicago area will be hosting a variety of events in honor of Dr. King. Some activities to consider include:
- Mavis Staples in Concert - Northwestern University in Evanston/Chicago, Illinois will host gospel singer Mavis Staples on King Day at noon. The university will also conduct various lectures and workshops in honor of King Day.
- The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago - The museum will be open the Saturday before King Day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday from noon - 5 p.m., and from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Southern Ohio
Families visiting the Dayton/Cincinnati area of Ohio can celebrate MLK day with various educational tours and activities including:
- The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio - A relatively new museum, the Freedom Center is a good place to visit. The museum will not be open on King Day, but is open on Saturday, January 17th from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Wilberforce and Central State Universities - Just blocks from each other in southern Ohio, these universities offer a wealth of African-American history. While on campus be sure to visit the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in New York:
There will be various performances in the New York area held in honor of Dr. King. These include:
- A Martin Luther King Celebration will be held on MLK Day at the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill. There will be a performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir with a special tribute to Dr. King. The program will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 per person.
- The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan will sponsor a night of music featuring musical performers Abraham, Inc. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
On January 20th, the first African American President will be sworn into office in Washington, D.C. Consequently, Dr. King Day will be very special in D.C. this year. Various programs and activities will be held in honor of Dr. King. Some suggestions for the long weekend include:
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in the Greater D.C. Area
- Baltimore's Martin Luther King Day Parade - Celebrate the holiday by attending a parade in honor of the memory of Dr. King. The parade will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street. Participants include high school marching bands, floats, balloons, choirs and more.
- Visit historically black colleges and universities in the D.C. area including Morgan State, Bowie State and Howard Universities - All of these historically black colleges are in the greater D.C. area. There are various sites to see such as museums and historical sites, as well as campus programs scheduled in honor of MLK day.
- Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore will offer various activities throughout the weekend in honor of Dr. King.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Detroit
Detroit is another special place to visit during the Martin Luther King holiday. While in town consider the following programs and activities:
- The Museum of African American History in Detroit will host a King Day Breakfast Celebration. Beginning at 8 a.m., tickets for the breakfast are $35 for non-museum members, and $30 for members. The program will consist of a speech given by Byron C. Moore, Pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church of Detroit, and performances by various dance, drama and singing groups.
- The Ypsilanti Library will offer activities for all ages. Beginning at 1 p.m., families can commemorate the life of Dr. King with special readings, movies and musical performances.
