On the third Monday of January, we in the U.S. observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday. You probably learned about this day in elementary school and the reason everyone had the day off. But how much do you really know about the man and the cause he dedicated himself to?

On MLK Day, we honor the man who dedicated his life to the civil rights movement in the United States. Visiting the historical places where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born, led movements, and was tragically assassinated is both educating and inspiring.

If you find yourself down south in the U.S. on this recognized day or any other day of the year, then you should definitely check out the historical places listed below to enrich your understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy.

Dr. King’s Birth Home — Atlanta, Georgia

King Birth Home, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta, Georgia by Ken Lund licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

The house at 501 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta was once the home of one of the greatest leaders of our time. Take a tour and see where Dr. King was born and spent the first 12 years of his life. Tours are on a first-come-first-served basis. Upon entry, you’ll see that the home has been restored to look as it did when King resided there. The tour will take you upstairs to the location where Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929. Put this first on your list MLK tour list if you’d prefer to follow his life from the very beginning.

Ebenezer Baptist Church — Atlanta, Georgia

Interior of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church by Adam Jones licensed under CC by 2.0

Ebenezer Baptist Church is a historic place of worship, where Martin Luther King Jr. served as co-pastor, making the church the spiritual center of the civil rights movement from 1960 to 1968. Dr. King’s father and grandfather also served as pastors here prior to and during his service as co-pastor. It’s certainly a place for you to put on your MLK tour list as it’s where King served as reverend until his funeral, which was also held here.

The King Center — Atlanta, Georgia

Tomb of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia by Ken Lund licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The King Center was established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King, and is also referred to as the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This museum, memorial, and educational center is dedicated to the beloved civil rights leader and his cause. The King Center holds important memorabilia, including King’s Bible, a handwritten sermon, and the key to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis where he was assassinated. You can find the world’s largest collection of books on the civil rights movement in the library here. You can also visit the final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., located outside in Freedom Plaza with an epitaph from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech: “Free at Last. Free at Last. Thank God Almighty I’m Free at Last.”

Dexter Parsonage Museum — Montgomery, Alabama

The Dexter Parsonage Museum stands on the site of the home to King and his young family between 1954 and 1960 in Montgomery, Alabama. On your tour, you’ll see the same furniture that MLK and his wife Coretta Scott King filled their house with. You’ll also visit the study where King would prepare for his Sunday sermons. The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church is where King first preached as a young pastor. Both locations hold a strong history of MLK’s effect on the civil rights movement.

National Civil Rights Museum — Memphis, Tennessee

The Lorraine Motel by Reading Tom licensed under CC by 2.0

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he stepped out onto his balcony at the Lorraine Motel. This site later became the National Civil Rights Museum. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the museum mainly focuses on the struggles of African-American freedom and equality. As you tour, you’ll come across a few rooms from the hotel that were left as they were during King’s time.

FAQs:

Q: What are the operating hours for the King Birth Home?
A: The King Birth Home is open for tours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Q: Is there an admission fee for the Ebenezer Baptist Church?
A: No, there is no admission fee to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church. However, donations are welcome to support the church’s maintenance and programs.

Q: Are photography and video recording allowed inside The King Center?
A: Photography for personal use is allowed inside The King Center, but flash photography and video recording are not permitted.

Q: Can visitors participate in any activities at the Dexter Parsonage Museum?
A: Yes, visitors can engage in interactive exhibits and listen to audio stories from people who knew Dr. King, providing a unique insight into his life and work.

Q: What accessibility accommodations are available at the National Civil Rights Museum?
A: The museum offers wheelchair accessibility, sign language interpretation (by appointment), and audio guides for visually impaired visitors.

Q: Are guided tours available at these historical sites?
A: Yes, guided tours are available at most sites, including Dr. King’s Birth Home and the Dexter Parsonage Museum, offering detailed insights into Dr. King’s life and the civil rights movement.

Q: Is there a specific time of year that’s best for visiting these MLK Jr. sites?
A: While these sites can be visited year-round, a visit during Black History Month in February or around MLK Day in January can be particularly meaningful and often includes special events and exhibits.

Have you been to any of these MLK Jr. sites? Tell us about it in the comments.