Top Atlanta sites that honor the legacy of Martin Luther King

13.01.2024 - 07:29 / lonelyplanet.com

Atlanta, Georgia is the birthplace and final resting place of one of America's most pivotal and charismatic historical figures – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It was here that King’s crusade for equal rights was born and bred. His early life centered on Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn district, which served as the cultural cradle of the city’s African-American community throughout the 1900s.

Dwarfed by the towering skyscrapers of downtown, today the area offers a fascinating and sobering glimpse into some of America's toughest struggles. Along with attractions in neighboring Alabama (Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma), Sweet Auburn stands as a preserved and poignant reminder of how far we have indeed come – without letting us forget there is still work to do.

With Dr. Martin Luther King JR. day (the third Monday of January) taking place on January 15, 2024, here are five Atlanta sites that celebrate King's life and honor his Civil Rights fight.

The Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park is home to Atlanta's main King-related sites. Covering a 35-acre area, the park has held the status of a National Historic Site since 1980. The Visitor's Center should be your first stop – not only to sign up for a tour of Martin Luther King Jr's Birthplace but for its featured exhibit, “Courage To Lead,” an excellent overview of the segregation, systematic oppression and racial violence that inspired and fueled King’s work.

If you have kids in tow, there is also the “Children of Courage,” exhibit, which focuses on children's roles in the Civil Rights Movement. You'll also find ongoing videos, brochures and all information available to best experience the National Historic Site as well as the D.R.E.A.M. Gallery, home to temporary exhibitions.

It makes sense to begin at the beginning – and that is exactly what this gorgeously preserved two-story Queen Anne-era home at 501 Auburn Avenue is. MLK was born here in 1929 and lived here for 12 years.

Built in 1895, MLK's paternal grandparents purchased the home in 1909 for a whopping $3500. The home is best appreciated on a free 30-minute tour led by National Park Service rangers (otherwise, you will only be able to view its exterior).

The first-come, first-served tours run hourly between 10 am and 4 pm. Limited to 15 people per tour, they do not run on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day. It is the only attraction in the National Historical Park that requires a guide. You can visit earlier in the day for a shorter line, but be prepared to wait a while for your turn. Besides the home, the entire block of houses, as well as Historic Fire Station No 6 (built 1894) and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, are preserved as part of the site.

After a multi-million dollar restoration