Commemorate Juneteenth: Best Travel Destinations for History, Culture, and Reflection

April 8, 2025

While many Americans now enjoy a day off for Juneteenth, not everyone fully understands the holiday's profound cultural and historical significance. Recognized as a federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth (observed each year on June 19) commemorates the end of slavery in the United States in 1865. More than just a long weekend, it offers a meaningful opportunity for African American individuals—and all those interested in history and social progress—to reflect on the legacy of emancipation and explore sites that honor this pivotal moment in American history.

As a result, anyone interested in a family-friendly or solo getaway on this long weekend should not only understand the more profound implications of this holiday but also choose a handful of travel sites that make sense for their budgets, locations, and interests. In this article, The Parking Spot will explore all these topics, give a better insight into a few solo and family-friendly getaway activities, and provide the historical context readers need to understand Juneteenth’s historical importance in America.

When Is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth offers hope and joy to millions of African Americans across the nation. While a relatively new summer holiday that was only federally recognized in 2021, this day (June 19) has a far deeper history than many realize: more on that later. It’s a beautiful and rewarding day of reflection and education. Many plan a solo or family-friendly getaway over the long weekend, including some genuinely engaging activities.

States celebrate this day in many ways, including:

A day off for state and federal employees (private employers can choose to opt in if they like)
Celebrations and festivals, including excellent African American food and music fests
Public readings by prominent African American scholars, historians, and celebrities
Shopping expeditions at Black-owned businesses or dining at Black-owned restaurants
Visits to museums to explore the difficult and often painful history of slavery in America
Trips to see family members and friends in the African American community

Note: If Juneteenth falls on a weekend (such as Saturday or Sunday), it’s typically moved to the nearest weekday.

Historical Significance of Juneteenth

If you’re unfamiliar with the history of Juneteenth, there’s a great deal to uncover—much of it moving, powerful, and essential to understanding American history. Historians trace it back to when Major General Gordon Granger entered Galveston on June 19, 1865, and issued General Order No. 3: all former slaves were now free.

This moment sent shockwaves through Texas and marked the actual end of slavery for the state over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Since then, Galveston has celebrated the holiday, with Texas organizing Jubilee Day (the first Juneteenth celebration) in 1866.

For many years, this small-scale holiday was a Texas tradition. Unsurprisingly, this empowering celebration quickly spread well beyond Galveston into surrounding states. In a massive moment for the nation, President Joe Biden signed a law making it an official federal holiday in 2021.

Undoubtedly, the historical and cultural heritage of Galveston’s first Jubilee Day is genuinely monumental. There’s no way Granger could have guessed his simple act would trigger a decades-long fight for Civil Rights. Nor would he know that it gave African Americans (who were still oppressed for long after the war) hope and pride in themselves and their progress as a group.

Traveling for Juneteenth: Logistics and Considerations

Whether you're planning a quiet, meaningful solo trip or a family-friendly weekend to engage with the history of emancipation, thoughtful planning is essential. To help make the most of your Juneteenth travels, The Parking Spot has compiled a few helpful logistics tips to support a smooth and respectful travel experience, including:

Booking early (months in advance, in late winter or early spring) to save yourself cash
Avoid the busiest airports by focusing on smaller ones not too far from your destination
Find airports with play areas for children to keep them engaged and excited
Pack properly (you won’t need cold-weather clothing for hot and humid Southern areas)
Prepare for potential flight layovers by bringing books and other activities
Research transportation options (flights, road trips, buses, taxis, trains, etc.)
Know the area’s parking and visiting etiquette, i.e., how you should behave while visiting
Understand how much to tip at festivals and restaurants (may vary based on the area)
Dress casually with light clothing (for festivals) and appropriately for cultural visits (like museums)

Top Destinations to Visit for Juneteenth

Now that you understand the importance of Juneteenth and why it's a federally recognized holiday, you can start planning your long weekend with The Parking Spot. We brainstormed some critically essential places to visit that reinforce this holiday's cultural and historical heritage. These include many family-friendly and solo getaway activities and tips on things like eating healthy while on the road or even exercising while traveling. Let's dive into it right away to learn more.

Galveston, Texas – The Birthplace of Juneteenth

As the birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston is an intensely powerful and rewarding place to visit to learn deeper historical and cultural elements of this moment in history. Anyone serious about learning more about this day should travel here at least once to immerse themselves in this movement's heritage and enjoy a long weekend getaway filled with educational activities.

Explore Many Historically Important Sites

As the historical birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston offers many exciting educational experiences for solo and family travelers. These include some complex cultural examinations of this movement and huge celebrations with the whole city. All these activities make Juneteenth an incredibly busy summer travel day for Galveston. Don't worry, though: planning can make visiting these sites seamless:

Juneteenth Historic Marker: Serious travelers often start their Galveston visit by checking out this historical marker, which celebrates President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Parents can discuss this plaque with their children—a powerful way to connect.
African American History Exhibit: Visit the Galveston Railroad Museum (on 3427 Sealy Avenue in downtown Galveston) to check out this exhibit, which includes essential details about highlighting the contributions and resilience of African Americans who shaped Galveston’s cultural and economic landscape, often in the face of systemic adversity.
Middle Passage Marker: Galveston residents know the history of the slave trade all too well: it's inescapable. It explores this complex past with the Middle Passage Marker, a lengthy and historically illuminating walk. Along this walk, visitors will learn more about how the slave trade impacted Galveston, even now.

Attend Juneteenth Parades and Celebrations

Every Juneteenth, Galveston hosts a parade and picnic, beginning and ending at Wright Cuney Park. This event offers historical insight and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Other celebrations include regular lectures, meet-and-greets, musical performances by the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, and the BLVD Juneteenth Poetry Show. Typically, celebrations begin around June 14 with the Galveston Island Juneteenth Festival and Celebration and last until June 21 or 22.

Nearest Airport: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – Approx. 42 miles away or a 46-minute drive.

Washington, D.C. – National Juneteenth Celebrations

The nation’s capital offers multiple Juneteenth getaway activities for an unforgettable long weekend. Whether planning a solo or family-friendly visit, check out important cultural and historical sites to fully embrace this holiday’s spirit. The Parking Spot found several highly popular destinations, activities, and events you can adapt to when traveling with kids or alone.

Stop By Some Historical Landmarks in D.C.

Few cities have the cultural heritage of Washington D.C., and the area embraces Juneteenth in family-friendly ways. Anyone who’s fully pumped about exploring the historical and cultural heritage on this glorious day can check out these getaway activities for both solo and family excitement:

National Museum of African American History and Culture: This historical site, a branch of the Smithsonian National Museum, offers moving and comprehensive insights into African Americans' struggles. Visitors often leave with a deeper emotional understanding of the African American experience—many describe the museum as profoundly moving.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: Few people fought harder for African American emancipation than Frederick Douglass: he changed the world. Celebrate his fantastic life in this beautiful and unforgettable museum.
Juneteenth Freedom Festival: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free”; this powerful quote alone proves the importance of Juneteenth. It’s also the Juneteenth Freedom Festival’s underlying motto: enjoy fantastic entertainment and educational experiences throughout this day-long experience.

Don’t Forget Fun Local Events

Beyond these historical and cultural celebrations, you can also visit the National Mall and local community centers to enjoy truly engaging vents, like:

The Home Rule Music Festival, featuring jazz favorites from around the capital
Folger Shakespeare Library events, including kid-friendly activities
The Out & About Festival, featuring LGBTQ-friendly celebrations

Nearest Airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – Approx. 5 miles or an 8-minute drive from downtown.

Atlanta, Georgia – A Hub of Black Culture and History

Atlanta is truly one of the biggest and best southern cities. It fully embraces the long weekend we all get on Juneteenth by providing activities of all types. Whether you’re interested in historical visits, want to engage with the city’s cultural heritage, or simply want to have a fun, romantic trip with your partner, Atlanta offers a dizzying array of unbelievable activities.

Get A Deeper Historical Background

No matter what your interest in Juneteenth (whether as a historical and cultural moment or simply a great long weekend), you should check out these sites to learn more about its impact on Atlanta:

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park: Few Americans know at least parts of the “I Had a Dream” speech. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a true hero, and Atlanta visitors can celebrate his life in this beautiful park.
APEX Museum: While many other African American museums exist in the nation, the Apex is entirely unforgettable. Exhibitions explore Atlanta’s history, discuss the harrowing details of the slave trade, and offer potent reminders of just how far our society has come since 1865.
Sweet Auburn Historic District: One of the world's largest and best-known historically black neighborhoods, Sweet Auburn Historic District highlights the importance of continued historic preservation and the impact of African Americans on Atlanta’s development.

Celebrate With Unforgettable and Joyful Events

Between visiting important historical sites, there are also opportunities to celebrate through community events, music, and art that reflect the resilience and joy of Black culture. The Parking Spot did the hard work for you and found a bunch of engaging activities that we think you’ll truly love:

Stop by the Atlanta Juneteenth Parade and Music Festival to have some family-friendly fun
Get some exercise by joining the Juneteenth Atlanta 5K Freedom Run for some solo fun
Attend the Royal Juneteenth Pageants and see the area’s best women representing the city
Listen to the fantastic RGB 400 Marching Band, a massive and highly professional group

Nearest Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Approx. 11 miles or a 15-minute drive from downtown.

New Orleans, Louisiana – A Cultural and Historical Celebration

In many ways, Juneteenth and its long weekend getaway activities represent a culmination point for the Civil Rights movement and the right for African American equality. Cities like New Orleans played a historical and cultural role in this change and provided a fantastic experience for anyone interested in this heritage. Whether traveling alone or with family, visitors to New Orleans will find powerful opportunities to connect with the city’s deep-rooted African American heritage and its legacy of resilience.

Unforgettable Historical Destinations

Planning a family-friendly long weekend in NOLA this Juneteenth requires breaking free of the “solo mindset” the city encourages and focusing, instead, on the historical and cultural heritage of the city. After all, New Orleans was once a major port in the slave trade and an active plantation state, meaning its historical connection to Juneteenth remains prominent through sites like:

Whitney Plantation: Once a prominent plantation in NOLA, this non-profit museum offers greater insight into the region’s history of slavery. Check out over a dozen historical structures and learn about the cultural devastation plantations wrought on African American lives.
Backstreet Cultural Museum: Though originally opened in 1999, this museum (which focuses on documenting Black cultural traditions) has a three-decade history celebrating the unique combination of cultural and historical elements that build NOLA’s African American heritage.
Congo Square: Few areas in NOLA have Congo Square's historical and cultural heritage. It was originally a site for a Native American Harvest festival and a gathering place for enslaved people. Now, it hosts multiple Juneteenth activities, including jazz concerts.

Celebrate NOLA’s Rich Cultural Spirit

Your Juneteenth long weekend getaway can be anything you want. After checking out the historical and cultural heritage sites listed here, jump right into a world of fun. Frankly, The Parking Spot knows of few places more joyful than NOLA to celebrate your Juneteenth experience by:

Dropping by the French Quarter to get some delicious African American food
Shopping Bayou Road to support Black-owned area businesses
Visiting any of the area’s many jazz celebration event centers
Stopping by Studio BE to learn more about the area’s African American artists

Nearest Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) – Approx. 15 miles or a 20-minute drive from downtown.

Charleston, South Carolina – A Reflection on African American History

Charleston is to South Carolina as Atlanta is to Georgia: the state’s cultural center. It provides a ton of economic viability and cultural elements, including multiple Juneteenth long weekend getaway activities for solo and family-friendly adventures. Anyone stoked to explore the city’s extensive (and often complex) cultural heritage will have lots and lots to do.

Check Out South Carolina’s Rich History

An interesting fact you probably don’t remember from your history books is that South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in 1860. The state has taken steps to acknowledge and educate visitors about its historical role in slavery and the Civil War, offering a wide range of museums and cultural sites that foster reflection and learning. As a result, there is a surplus of educational opportunities for visitors and residents alike. The Parking Spot did a lot of research to identify a few high-quality historical destinations for Charleston visitors, like the:

International African American Museum: As one of the world's largest and most respected African American museums, IAAM offers kid-friendly exhibitions and deeply dives into Charleston's complex historical and cultural heritage.
Old Slave Mart Museum: Few slave trade buildings (or “marts” as they were called) still stand, but the Old Slave Mart Museum is the most famous. It was established in 1938 to explore the complex nature of slavery in Charleston. It offers an eye-opening and sometimes devastating look at this past.
Gullah Geechee Heritage Sites: The Gullah Geechee are descendants of West and Central Africans brought to the nation as slaves. Their unique history includes dozens of cultural sites and is a powerful look at how many Africans adapted to life in America after slavery.

Engaging Long Weekend Activities for Solo and Family Friend Trips

When packing for or planning your Charleston Juneteenth long weekend, make sure that you book some fun activities. Yes, it’s vital to explore historical and cultural heritage sites. But you should also break up these visits with some truly fun and unforgettable experiences, such as:

Root of Soul, a music, food, and art celebration focused on African American emancipation
Juneteenth Family Fest, a June 18 day-long celebration at Riverfront Park (it’s free.)
Lowcountry Juneteenth Week, a large-scale festival with music, food trucks, and more
Concerts, speeches, and lectures throughout the city (great for family-friendly fun)

Nearest Airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS) – Approx. 11 miles or a 16-minute drive from downtown.

Book Your Long Weekend This Juneteenth With The Parking Spot

Juneteenth is a powerful day of reflection and recognition for all Americans, offering an opportunity to honor the past and engage with the ongoing story of freedom and equality. It gives Americans across the nation time to reflect on the impact of slavery, celebrate our progress since its end, and educate others who may misunderstand this day and its nature. Traveling to any of the destinations above (can deepen an individual’s understanding of African American history and provide even more context for today’s society.

Before booking your stay, though, it’s vital to a) plan your accommodations early, b) buy tickets ASAP to save money, and c) find a place to reserve a parking spot at or near the airport. Booking with The Parking Spot offers superior parking support and opens travelers up to money-saving coupons, free parking opportunities with The Spot Club, and even business traveler discounts.