Martin Luther King Jr. History Tour: Explore Influential Atlanta Locations
5.0
500 Ratings
Atlanta
Embark on a fast-paced, unforgettable 2.5-hour tour of Atlanta's influential locations tied to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Authorized by the King Center, this tour offers a deep understanding of the people and places that changed the world.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ebenezer Baptist Church - Exterior only of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site - The tour meets and ends at the National Historic Site, and includes an overview of the site, as well as detailed walk through various areas on the site.

Due to potential staffing shortages, all National Park buildings are subject to closure at any time.

  • Prince Hall Grand Lodge - Exterior only of the historic Prince Hall Grand Lodge, location of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s and Congressman John Lewis’s offices, as well as a historic Madam CJ Walker Beauty Salon
  • Jackson Street Bridge - Take in the city’s most famous views at the iconic Jackson Street Bridge.
  • Sweet Auburn - The tour takes place entirely in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood and includes numerous visits to points of interests
  • The King Center - Hours of operation are 7 days a week from 10-5pm
  • International Civil Rights Walk of Fame - Guests will make connections from prominent Civil Rights leaders that they learned about on the tour as they see their shoe prints along the Walk of Fame
What's Included
  • Entertaining and immersive stories of Dr. King and Civil Rights leaders
  • Insights into Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
  • Phenomenal views from the Jackson Street Bridge
  • Exterior of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center
  • Exploring the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, a hidden gem of Civil Rights history
What's Not Included
  • Birth Home Tour (currently closed until 2025 )
  • Inside of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church Heritage Sanctuary
  • We do not provide transportation to or from the tour
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience the engaging story of Martin Luther King Jr. in a captivating and unforgettable 2.5 hour journey that showcases how Atlanta and the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood ignited global change. This essential tour, operated by Unexpected Atlanta Tours, takes you to inspiring locations such as the Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center, including hidden spots not known to even the locals. We ensure your visit to the King Historic District is maximized, and you are aware of all the key sites.

Gain an in-depth appreciation of the individuals and areas that ignited the Civil Rights Movement on this tour. We, being the only tour in the city officially endorsed by the King Center, offer you privileged insights into this remarkable neighborhood.

[Please Note: This tour does not feature indoor visits to King Birth Home or Old Ebenezer Baptist Church. The tour involves a 1.7-mile walk and considerable standing, please let us know if you have any physical restrictions.]

  • Not recommended for travelers with inability to walk and stand for long periods of time
Location
450a Auburn Ave NE
Auburn Avenue Northeast
We meet next to the Behold Monument, a statue of a man holding a baby to the sky, located across the street from Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church at the outdoor amphitheater. Your guide will have an orange Unexpected Atlanta tote bag. DO NOT GET ON A BUS.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(500 Ratings)
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Compass640154
May 25, 2024
Good to know history - This was a very dynamic and vivid history. Ray brings this with energy and enthusiasm and his own way of storytelling and jokes. So brilliant. You feel the vibe. Thank you Ray for all this knowledge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Asia_s
May 20, 2024
Paris is great! Take this tour! - Paris was the highlight of our trip. She was so knowledgeable and went the extra mile to share specific details and anecdotes that made this walk memorable. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jody_s
May 18, 2024
MLK’s life and how Atlanta changed the world - Paris, our tour guide, was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about MLK’s life story and the movement for racial equality. The stories were told with flavor and vigor that enhanced our tour. I highly recommend the tour and our hats are off to Paris!
Review provided by Viator
Jehan_e
May 13, 2024
I want to do it again! - Meaningful and memorable. So many thoughtful touches, such as audio and pictures. Jen was fantastic.
Review provided by Viator
Ren
May 10, 2024
A Wonderful Walking Tour Through History - Kristin was a wonderful guide. I learned more on her tour than I ever learned in school. The tour was just the right length, and the break at Carissa Cafe was a delightful rest. I really enjoyed walking through the historic neighborhoods and meeting new people in our tour from New York, Canada, San Francisco and California like me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnbg8536gf
May 10, 2024
Learning about MLK Jr. and Atlana's history of inclusion. - Kristin was fantastic! Her knowledge and experience made the history come to life. The pictures and recorded speaches added to the experience. I would definitely reccomend this tour to anyone interested in learning more about Martin Luther King Junior and Atlana's influence on this part of history. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Darshna_p
May 8, 2024
10/10 would recommend - I signed up for the 03/24/24 tour with Zoe and it was a memorable experience. I was arriving to Atlanta the same morning and getting to the meetup site was going to be on a tight timeline. I reached out the to the guide and communicated my arrival details and felt comfortable that they would still accommodate me. Zoe was a fantastic and knowledgeable tour guide and I learned so much from her. After leaving Atlanta, I watched Genius MLK/X, and it similarly brought up many things she mentioned which was a great reminder. I didn't find too many comprehensive MLK history tours so was pleased to find this one and satisfied with the breadth of knowledge that was presented to us. Also, thank you for taking and sharing pictures of us Zoe!
Review provided by Viator
Maxes6365
May 4, 2024
Brilliantly challenging, factual and ultimately uplifting tour about world wide human rights through Martin Luther King - Our guide @Jen H was absolutely fantastic! She promised us a story and told it with eloquence, passion, respect, sadness and real emotion. The tour was full of facts and took in all the sights expected but Jen H brought the whole tour alive. It was deeply saddening that she spoke from true experience of prejudice and hate as a black woman growing up still many years after the demand for human rights that Dr Martin Luther King Jr spoke out for, but inspiring that she clearly wanted to speak so strongly for the values he embodied despite those personal experiences. As a white British man I can never understand what it’s truly like to be judged by the colour of your skin or by your gender but Jen H helped me see something of that through her eyes and the history of the Civil Rights movement which she told us about so well. Whilst I have long admired the life and influence of MLK, Jen H helped us understand fully what challenges black people went through to get the basic human rights many of us take for granted. Whilst the tour revealed the brutality and bewildering injustices black people faced (and still do world wide) it embodied the hope that MLK inspired that love, kindness, celebration of difference and respect for everyone’s humanity through non-violent demand for equal rights in real terms, can be fulfilled despite the continuing barriers. I would thoroughly endorse taking this short walking tour with Unexpected Atlanta and if you get Jen H then it’s guaranteed to both challenge and ultimately uplift you in the belief that humanity has the capacity to rise above all the hate in the world!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G7217tymegans
May 4, 2024
So much knowledge, highlight of our trip - Jenny was the most amazing tour guide. She was so knowledgable and adapted so well to the group and was just generally a really kind and considerate person. She taught us so many new things about the life and legacy of MLK, and about Coretta Scott, his wife. Such an engaging speaker and teacher. It was the highlight of our time in Atlanta. You must do this if you have the chance!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zacp829
Apr 23, 2024
Great Tour! - Arielle was such an amazing tour guide. A really meaningful tour, and we saw so much. Arielle was incredibly knowledgeable about MLK, Atlanta history, the Civil Rights Movement, and importantly, Coretta Scott King's contributions. Arielle even stopped to get us water on a hot day. Highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
May 2024
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