Martin Luther King Jr. Day is far more than a holiday. Instead, it offers a powerful opportunity to reflect and walk in the footsteps of those who shaped America’s moral compass. Rather than observing from a distance, you can immerse yourself in the geography of the Civil Rights Movement itself. Together, these ten sites invite you to experience history firsthand while renewing your dedication to justice.
Places to Visit on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel – Memphis, Tennessee
Your journey begins at the National Civil Rights Museum, a place forever marked by tragedy yet fueled by hope. Immediately, the preserved mid-century architecture and the white wreath outside Room 306 establish a somber mood. More importantly, this room is where Dr. King spent his final hours before an assassin took his life. Rather than simply presenting artifacts, the museum draws you into the story through immersive exhibits that deepen your understanding of the movement.
See a Replica of the Rosa Parks Bus
Afterward, you board a replica bus and sit beside Rosa Parks, feeling the tension and courage that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Next, you walk through the boarding house where the fatal shot was fired, tracing the last moments of history. Then, as you stand behind the glass of Room 306, the weight of sacrifice becomes impossible to ignore. Ultimately, these exhibits challenge you to reflect on the cost of change while inspiring you to continue Dr. King’s legacy.
Related: Five Places to Visit on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial – Washington, D.C.
In the heart of the nation’s capital, you encounter the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. To begin, you pass through the granite “Mountain of Despair” and emerge at the hopeful “Stone of Hope.” From there, Dr. King’s towering likeness gazes toward the Jefferson Memorial, symbolizing the enduring connection between freedom’s promises and its realities. In addition, the Inscription Wall features fourteen powerful quotes that urge you to move the “Stone of Hope” forward in your own life. Especially at night, the softly lit memorial invites deep reflection and reminds you that the struggle for justice continues today.
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church – Montgomery, Alabama
Next, travel to Montgomery, where you step into the modest sanctuary where Dr. King once served as pastor. Here, the Montgomery Bus Boycott took shape and ignited a national movement. During a guided tour—often led by longtime congregants—you visit the basement where organizers crafted strategies that reshaped America. Then, at the Dexter Parsonage Museum, you see the scar left by a bombing, which starkly illustrates the dangers faced by those who challenged injustice. As you sit quietly in the pews, you realize that ordinary people, united by faith and courage, powered the movement’s extraordinary success.
Edmund Pettus Bridge – Selma, Alabama
In Selma, walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the infamous “Bloody Sunday” march in 1965. Step by step, climb toward the crest while imagining the fear marchers felt that day. At the top, you see where John Lewis and others suffered brutal attacks, and suddenly the courage required to demand voting rights becomes clear. Although the bridge once honored a Klan leader, it now stands as a symbol of transformation. By the time you cross to the other side, you reflect on the sacrifices behind the right to vote and recognize that collective action truly reshapes history.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham’s Civil Rights Institute brings the city’s turbulent past vividly to life. As you move through the galleries, you experience the daily humiliations of Jim Crow and walk among protestors in the Processional Gallery. Then, you stand before the jail cell door where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Nearby, the charred remains of a Freedom Riders bus remind you that progress often comes at a painful cost. Ultimately, these immersive exhibits compel you to consider your own responsibility in confronting injustice today.
16th Street Baptist Church – Birmingham, Alabama
Just across the street, the 16th Street Baptist Church memorializes the four girls killed in the 1963 bombing. First, you enter the sanctuary and the memorial room, where the radiant “Wales Window” celebrates forgiveness and resilience. As you sit quietly, you feel the emotional core of the movement and the urgent need to protect children from hatred. The church’s story powerfully demonstrates both the human cost of violence and the strength required to respond with love.
Ebenezer Baptist Church – Atlanta, Georgia
In Atlanta, make sure to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. King’s spiritual home. Inside the Heritage Sanctuary, you listen to recordings of his sermons and sense the enduring influence of the Black church on social justice. Then, across the street, the modern sanctuary illustrates how his philosophy of nonviolence continues to guide the congregation. Together, these spaces encourage you to consider how faith communities still shape movements for change.
The King Center – Atlanta, Georgia
Only steps away, The King Center—founded by Coretta Scott King—serves as a place of pilgrimage. To start, you walk beside the reflecting pool toward the marble crypts of Martin and Coretta King, where the Eternal Flame burns. Next, inside Freedom Hall, you view Dr. King’s Nobel Prize and personal effects while learning about the vision of the “Beloved Community.” By the time you leave, you may recognize your own role in carrying forward his unfinished work. Lastly, don’t forget to visit Dr. King’s childhood home, just a short walk away.
National Voting Rights Museum and Institute – Selma, Alabama
Returning to Selma, you explore the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, which honors the “foot soldiers” of the movement. As you read personal testimonies and study the “Jail Cell” exhibit, history becomes deeply personal. Because many staff members lived through the struggle themselves, the museum reinforces the idea that voting is both a hard-won right and a sacred duty.
Rosa Parks Museum – Montgomery, Alabama
Finally, you conclude your journey at the site of Rosa Parks’ arrest on the Troy University campus. Rather than portraying Parks as a tired seamstress, the museum reveals her as a determined activist. Through interactive exhibits and a “time machine” experience, you witness the planning behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott and realize that meaningful change often begins with one brave refusal. You leave empowered, ready to honor her legacy through action in your own community.
Related: Places to Visit During Black History Month
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
