In January of each year, the country pauses for a day of remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These travel destinations feature Dr. King prominently, and visiting any of these offer the opportunity to learn more about his life and his work.
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel- Memphis, TN. This is the site of Dr. King's assassination in April of 1968. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is so much more. There are interactive permanent exhibits, including a bus that mimics that of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, an original lunch counter that allows visitors to "experience" hecklers and hear boycott stories from across the country, 260 original artifacts, oral histories, and so much more. The tour of the museum culminates in a visit to the hotel room in which Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The room is staged to reflect how it looked in April of 1968, and, admittedly, it's quite somber. Still, a visit to this museum is a must on any list of civil rights sites.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's death. On April 4, 2018, all eyes will turn to Memphis, Tennessee, to remember the tragic event that occurred 50 years prior. That shot would reverberate throughout the world, and on April 4, 2018, the world remembers the tragedy that occurred at approximately 6:01 p.m. CT. The National Civil Rights Museum wants to help the world reflect with an MLK50 event of remembrance. This event will feature daylong activities in the Museum Courtyard with main stage entertainment and speakers. Then, at 6:01 p.m. CT, there will be a 50th Anniversary Commemoration, with national speakers, musical/vocal/spoken word tributes, and more. This event is free to the public.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site - Atlanta, GA. At the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site, visitors can see the boyhood home, church, and final resting place of the renowned civil rights leader. Full tours are offered of Dr. King's birth home, and also of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized and later served as pastor. The Visitor's Center offers a great visual history of the movement, as well as some of Dr. King's personal items. It also features a "Children of Courage" exhibit, which tells about the children of the Civil Rights Movement.
The center will host MLK birthday events this month, and in April, the site will host a week-long commemoration of Dr. King's death. Visit www.mlk50forward.org for a complete schedule of events.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial - Washington, DC. Younger children will see this as another monument, but if you're in the Washington, DC area, it's worth a visit. It's a monument, yes, but it features many of Dr. King's most famous quotes and, majestic in stature, it's just a great site to see. As with all National Parks Service sites, Park Ranger tours are available. And, the adjoining memorial to Franklin Delano Roosevelt is also worth a visit. Free.
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church - Montgomery, AL. Dr. King served as the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church from 1954 - 1960. Visitors can see the church and pulpit from which Dr. King preached, as well as visit the actual home where Dr. King and his family resided from 1954 - 1960. A permanent exhibit in the adjoining Interpretive Center includes photos, historical accounts, and more.
Visit our roundup of more Civil Rights sites to visit* for more travel education and inspiration.
*Portions of this article were originally included on our list of Civil Rights Sites to Visit, published April 2015.
