Martin Luther King Jr National Site

The Martin Luther King Jr National Site in Atlanta, Georgia is dedicated to commemorating the life of the leader of the African-American civil rights movement and chronicling his campaign for racial equality.

History of Martin Luther King Jr National Site

Born on 15 January 1929, Martin Luther King Jr was a Baptist minister who came to lead a non-violent movement for equality amongst races in the United States. He is most widely remembered for the March on Washington, a demonstration in August 1963 which culminated in his “I have a dream” speech.

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr won a Nobel Prize for his work in battling racial segregation. He was the youngest ever person to receive this award.

Encompassing nearly 35 acres, The Martin Luther King Jr National Site is composed of landmarks, monuments, and exhibits.

Martin Luther King Jr National Site today

Visitors to the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site can visit Dr and Mr’s King’s crypt at the King Centre, view his birthplace, and see exhibitions and films about Dr King’s life and the civil rights movement. There are also exhibits about Gandhi, who inspired Dr King, and Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat on a bus was an iconic event during the movement.

Most of the tour is self guided, except for those who visit Dr King’s birthplace, which is led by a ranger (only fifteen people admitted per tour). This site also features as one of our Top 10 Tourist Attractions of the United States.

Getting to Martin Luther King Jr National Site

From the centre of Atlanta, Georgia, the site is a 4 minute drive via Auburn Ave NE, or a 25 minute walk via Piedmont Ave SW and Auburn Ave NE. There are also a number of public transport options available.

The entrance to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park parking lot is located on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue. Start your visit at the National Park Service Visitor Center, which is a short walk across Irwin Street and down the Promenade.