As Black History month comes to a close, the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on civil rights and social justice continues to resonate in destinations near and far. Although born and raised in the South, Mr. King spread his message of equality and peace throughout the United States and abroad. For my family, a myriad of U.S. road trips included destinations that played an integral role in shaping this man. We didn’t set out on ONE trip that included ALL the destinations that shaped this man’s history. For my family, the historical “connect the dots” was after we returned, when we reminisced about our trips. This post is not a comprehensive list of all places in MLK’s history and life but those places that my family visited so far. Join us as we travel in the footsteps of Martin Luther King starting with…
ATLANTA, GEORGIA…
is King’s birthplace and his final resting place. And because of this, Atlanta has the biggest claim on his legacy. Most sites related to this man are clustered together at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of downtown Atlanta. Sweet Auburn was once the epicenter of African-American life in Atlanta.
Within MLK Jr’s National Historical Park are the following sites:
MLK’s Birth Home…
is the two-story house where he was raised. We were lucky enough to tour the inside of the building and see where Mr. King was raised. Currently, indoor tours are not operating but keep checking their website for updates: https://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm
Ebenezer Baptist Church:..
is where he was baptized and where he co-pastored with his father starting in 1960. Restored inside and out to how it appeared in the 1960s, this is a perfect place to pray and reflect.
The MLK Jr.Center For Nonviolent Social Change…
was established by Coretta Scott King in 1968. Vsitors can learn about the Kings’ public and private lives and pay their respects at their tombs, the reflecting pool and the eternal flame.
Once you’ve completed touring this historic park, you can head over to…
Morehouse College…
which is King’s alma mater. He, along with other relatives, attended this college. Stroll the campus grounds and imagine what is was like when Mr. King studied here.
We continue to travel in the footsteps of Martin Luther King with our next stop…
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
In March 1968, King came to Memphis in support of striking sanitation workers. He and his group were booked at the Lorraine Motel. This motel was supposedly a safe and welcoming place to stay for black travelers at the time. On April 4, King was standing on the balcony outside of room 306 when he was shot and killed.
Today, the Lorraine Motel is the site of the…
National Civil Rights Museum
Here, you can learn about civil rights history as well as see the room where King spent his final living hours. Check the museum’s website for details and to make reservations.
After visiting, you may wish to stop for a bite to eat. Head over to…
The Four Way…
a soul food restaurant where King often ate. Since 1946, this eating establishment has served Southern favorites such as fried chicken, turnip greens and lemon meringue pie (said to be an MLK favorite).
Memphis has so much to offer in addition to the legacy of MLK. Head over to my post to read all about my family’s Memphis adventure:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=2649
Our next stop is…
WASHINGTON D.C.…
is of course an extremely powerful place to visit for many reasons. It seems inevitable that King’s march for justice took him beyond the Deep South to our nation’s capital.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
is the first memorial to honor an African American individual on the National Mall. Opened to the public in 2011, it features a powerful 30-foot statue of King emerging from boulders. You can also read inspirational quotes made in carvings on the site.
The Lincoln Memorial
is where King gave his most famous speech — “I Have A Dream.” In his speech, he recalled the memory of Lincoln, the emancipation of the slaves, and the “shameful condition” of segregation in America 100 years after the American Civil War.
The National Museum of African American History & Culture…
opened in 2016. It contains artifacts directly related to King as well the many contributions and tribulations of black Americans.
FUTURE TRAVEL FOOTSTEPS …
My journey to learn more about this man and legacy has not ended. As with all travelers, we know there is so much to see and learn about in this world. And I realize there are places in the United States where his impact was tremendous and I have yet to visit. So here I provide some places that are still are on my list and should be on yours starting with…
Alabama
It’s very difficult to overstate the impact of King’s time in the segregated capital of Alabama during the mid-1950s. He coordinated the bus strike after Rosa Parks famously refused to yield her seat.
Today, Montgomery has numerous must-see civil rights attractions, including:–
- National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which explores the history of lynching, Jim Crow laws and more.
- Legacy Museum is located on a site where Black people were forced to labor in bondage.
- Rosa Parks Museum
- Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where he served as its pastor from 1954 to 1960. It was from here he planned the bus boycott and other efforts to dismantle segregation.
- Dexter Parsonage Museum is the clapboard house where King lived. It was bombed multiple times during the civil rights struggle.
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