Courtesy of <civilrightstravel.com>
No location is so closely linked to Martin Luther King, Jr. as his hometown of Atlanta, Ga. Most civil rights road trips inevitably will find their way to the city.
Given its history and unofficial status as the capital of the South, a traveler will find much to see here, starting with a walking tour of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward.
Outside the historic neighborhood, you’ll notice that even the freeways honor civil rights heroes, like the section of Interstate 20 named for Ralph David Abernathy, who worked with King. And Atlanta itself is rich in attractions. You could spend days here exploring its history, restaurants, and museums.
But the top civil rights sites can be visited in a day on a walking tour of Atlanta. You’ll probably spend most of your time in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, home to the National Park Service King Historic Site, which includes King’s birthplaceand childhood home, along with historic Ebeneezer Baptist Church, his home pulpit. And of course, there’s the beautiful grave site, on the grounds of the King Center, where he and his wife Coretta Scott King are buried.
In addition, it’s worth a visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which is located downtown near Atlanta’s top museums and attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.
Beyond the urban core, you might want to see the home where King lived as an adult.
To understand the scope of Rev. King’s legacy, one only need visit the National Park Service’s Martin Luther King Historic Site. Exhibits expertly capture Dr. King’s era and follow him from childhood to his historic role on the international stage. Introductory films offer a moving biography along with excerpts from his most famous speeches. If you have time, consider the fascinating tour offered by Tom Houck, a former driver for Martin Luther King, Jr. Not only will he point out the sites, but he’ll also share his personal stories about working for King and witnessing first-hand some of the most important events of the civil rights era.
While the visitors center is certainly worthwhile with thoughtful exhibits and films, a highlight is being able to visit King’s birth home, where he spent the first 12-years of his life. A walk through the home, located a block from the center at 501 Auburn Ave., humanizes King and brings him to life. Visitors learn that King was a typical young boy, who didn’t like piano lessons, and rushed through grace at dinner time when he was hungry.
It’s clear King grew up in a loving family. His father and grandfathers were ministers and the neighborhood was part of Atlanta’s Black middle class. While the home dates to 1895, it has been restored and is wheelchair accessible.
Unfortunately, getting tickets for the 30-minute tour may be the toughest part of your visit. The ranger-led visits are limited to 15 people per tour, and run from 10 am-4 pm. Worse yet, no advance tickets are available, and groups can get up to 45 tickets, which means available slots can go fast. Tickets are usually gone by 11 am, and on school days, they may all be claimed even earlier.
To get tickets, the National Park Service offers the following tips:
• Visit early in the day.
• Be prepared to wait several hours for the next available tour.
• Visit early in the week or Sunday morning.
One other way to visit is on Saturday open houses, which are held throughout the year. Check with the park for scheduled dates.
The good news is that you don’t need tickets to visit the park’s other main sites, such as King’s home pulpit, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized and his father and grandfather served as pastor.
Located across the street from the King visitor center, the church is now preserved as a historic site (the current church is located next to the visitor center.)
The self-guided tour includes a 20-minute film in the basement fellowship hall with an interview with King’s sister, Christine King Farris. Visitors also can walk through the sanctuary, where King preached. It’s also where King’s funeral was held.
In total, allow up to 30 minutes for a visit.
Officially called the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the King Center includes exhibits on his wife Coretta Scott and Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of non-violent protest inspired Dr. King.
Rev. King was originally buried in Atlanta’s South-View cemetery, but his wife had him reinterred at the center in 1970.
She too is buried here at a moving memorial, surrounded by water. At anytime, you’ll find visitors from around the world pausing to meditate on his legacy and courage.
Inside the King Center, you’ll find exhibits devoted to King and his wife, along with Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi. Highlights include a replica of King’s Nobel Peace Prize. The Center is also notable for having the most extensive gift shop in the entire park complex.
Just a few blocks away, it’s worth driving by Prince Hall Masonic Temple, where King’s organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Council, housed its offices. This is where King went to work on days he was in Atlanta. It’s located at 330 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30303.
While you’re in the neighborhood, you’ll also find an impressive statue of King outside the Georgia State Capitol.
Located a few miles away from the King site, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is not a historic site. The impressive free-standing museum is part of the downtown Atlanta’s Centennial Park, which holds a cluster of popular tourist attractions including the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.
Its location assures a steady flow of visitors, and its offerings, which include historical artifacts and interactive exhibits, are worthwhile if you’re in the area.
The most notable exhibit is the lunch counter, which literally puts visitors in the seats of protesters. Guests sit down at the replica counter, don headphones, and place their hands on the counter. They are immediately subjected to taunts and threats, giving a hint of the abuse sit-in protesters faced. A timer measures how long visitors can keep their hands on the counter. It’s an effective and shaking experience, which remains with you. The experience is reminiscent of visiting the lunch counter at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, N.C., at the site of the original Woolworth’s counter sit-in.
Other exhibit areas include Martin Luther King, Jr.’s letters and papers, including the early drafts of some of his famous speeches, and his Letter from the Birmingham Jail.
The center costs from $15 to $20 per person. If you’re planning to visit several other city sites, including the aquarium, consider buying a ticket book from Atlanta CityPASS, which offers considerable cost savings.
Other sites worth checking out include the home where King lived as an adult with his wife Coretta and their children. It’s located at 220 Sunset Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30314, in the Vine City neighborhood, near the Atlanta University Center, and the imposing Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons.
King’s home isn’t yet open to visitors, but it has been purchased by the National Parks Foundation, and will eventually offer tours.
Nearby, is the Atlanta University Center, the largest contiguous consortium of Black schools in the nation. The center consists of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College (King’s alma mater), and the Morehouse School of Medicine. Not surprisingly, the campus was the scene of protest activity, and is scattered with historic markers and statues.
Several miles outside of town is South-View cemetery, Atlanta’s oldest Black burial ground. This is where King’s parents are buried, and where King himself was originally interred before his body was moved to the King Center. The graveyard has faced vandalism over the years, and you can even see where gunshots scarred the graves of the elder Kings.
Perhaps more civil rights history was planned inside Paschal’s restaurant than in any other place in the world. Paschal’s, located at 180 Northside Dr. S.W., is where King and his colleagues came at all hours to refuel, and to set strategy. Come to this Black-owned eatery for fried chicken, greens, and other soul food specialties. But make sure to check out the signs, pictures, and plaques.
To learn more, go to civilrightstravel.com.
