Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Start at the visitor center and then work your way around the three main sites in this historic park: the home in which the leader of the Civil Rights movement in America was born, the church where he preached and the memorial site where he is buried. A major Atlanta attraction, the park draws some 500,000 visitors each year.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,489 reviews
Excellent
2,455
Very good
813
Average
180
Poor
33
Terrible
8
Kate D
18 contributions
Mar 2023
If you are in Atlanta, you definitely need to go to the MLK National Historic Site - you can do a tour of his birth home (admittedly, the guided tour we were on was very quick and crowded, not sure if they are all like that or it was just a time crunch since we came at the end of the visiting hours that day), see some exhibits on his life and legacy at the Visitors Center, see his final resting place and see a few other sights in the neighborhood like Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Written March 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
valliam13
Sorrento, FL380 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
I recommend starting here and listening to the movie and touring the museum. Or you can end here if you want to see the other sites first. We went on the guided tour of the boyhood home and it was very good. I learned a lot! Even though there is already a ton of info out there already about MLK I still learned more. We got to see almost every room in the house. She did say that they’re getting ready to do more restoration on the house so you may want to call before you go. They also picked up more property in the area and are working on restoring more places there. We also visited the fire station and the church and walked by the eternal flame as part of the King Center. I recommend coming here and learning more about the man and his humble beginnings. We were here 4+ hours easy and feel like we didn’t see it all.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EPottawa
Ottawa, Canada448 contributions
Feb 2023
We weren't aware that the whole block is a national historic site. It was very moving. The Parks staff are clearly committed to their work and imparted a lot of information with the gravitas required of such an incredible place.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hatzlacha
Virginia864 contributions
Dec 2022
It just seems that anyone serious about learning more about the civil rights movement needs to visit this park. I think it's quite cool that NPS is working to preserve entire blocks of this area, not only to keep the MLK Jr aspect alive, but also to show what life was like for residents during that time. Very well done.
Written December 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Geoff H
Sissinghurst, UK12,145 contributions
Oct 2022
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park should be a "must see" on the 'to do' list of anyone visiting Atlanta. Here, there are exhibits and tableaus charting the life, teachings and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Personally, I found it extremely moving, especially seeing the cart on which his coffin was conveyed. Apart from what is inside the building, outside there is the "Behold" Monument and the "I Have A Dream" World Peace Rose Garden, both of which are also worth having a look at.
Written December 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alyssa P
4 contributions
Nov 2022
This National Park is such a beautiful site! The preservation work on the neighborhood makes you feel like you're back in the 1950s. Definitely sign up for a free tour of his childhood home and take your time through the museum in the Visitors Center!
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karen A
Matteson, IL38 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Amazing place to visit with lots of untold stories. It’s free to visit, the staff is great and a great place to visit if you’re in the area. It’s a good experience for the entire family.
Written November 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FlyAtNight
Brooklin, Canada3,409 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
This is a must see attraction when in Atlanta. I started at the visitor center where I spent an hour or so, which included a powerful short film about Dr. King. From there it was a short walk to his birth home, then Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, and finally back to the King Center where his body rests. Parking and admission to this wonderful site is free.
Written October 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Coach Payne
3 contributions
Oct 2022
What an amazing experience to see the house where MLK was born and raised! I would highly recommend visiting!
Written October 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sundncr
Washington DC, DC1,059 contributions
Oct 2022
One should do the whole tour. You can start from the Visitor Center and walk up to the house of Dr. King, see the historic firehouse, then walk down to the memorial pool and down to the Church.
The site is very well preserved and it is in a historic neighborhood. A pretty short drive from the Center of Atlanta.
I visited on a Sunday and most of the sites were closed. You can see a lot from the outside. It is a serene place and the weather was wonderful.
Physically, one has to walk up hill and downhill and it does take some energy to walk the whole site.
Some parking was available on the street. I parked at strip mall location paying the attendant for it.
The site is very well preserved and it is in a historic neighborhood. A pretty short drive from the Center of Atlanta.
I visited on a Sunday and most of the sites were closed. You can see a lot from the outside. It is a serene place and the weather was wonderful.
Physically, one has to walk up hill and downhill and it does take some energy to walk the whole site.
Some parking was available on the street. I parked at strip mall location paying the attendant for it.
Written October 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DiverM
Jupiter, FL544 contributions
Do I need to arrive well before the visitors center opens to get tickets for the tour? How early if so? Are there open house hours to see the house on a self guided tour? Planning to visit either the afternoon of Sat 3/21 or morning of Sun 3/22. We have limited time so we can’t wait all day for our slot. If the chances of getting morning tickets are slim we may just opt to do the self guided tour outside.
Jeffrey W B
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico226 contributions
Unless there has been a recent change, there is no advance booking of home tours, either by phone or online. You must show up in person at the visitor center to get tickets and reserve a time slot. Arrive a few minutes before opening during the off season.
HOWEVER.....
It is completely possible, even likely, that because of the COVID-19 situation that NO home tours are being offered. Be prepared for disappointment. You might have even cancelled your vacation already.
ClonedPickle
Mountain View, CA54 contributions
How is the overall area of the Hisotrical Park? Does it feel safe? I've read some reviews about there being a handful of homeless and panhandlers around the area. Not that I'm personally really bothered by it, but just asking because I will be visiting Atlanta in April and it's more because my parents are kind of the paranoid type.
Maclavarela
Almere, The Netherlands52 contributions
Hi! I was last November. I was the only one participant of the walking tour, so we were two women and I felt safe. Yes, you see some homeless people around, but the tour guide (sorry forgot her name 😞) was keeping very calm and ignoring them , so nobody bothered us.
I highly reccomend taking this tour, gave me sich much better understanding how big MLK was, as a man, as an activist.
Candy
Bronx, NY271 contributions
How early should I be at the Visitor Center on a Sunday morning to get tickets for my family of 4 to tour MLK's Birth Home?
jinnistravel
Washington DC, DC53 contributions
As early as possible, Sunday can be very busy and tours can book rather quickly. It closes at 5pm
Brittney R
Beeville, TX14 contributions
Are dogs allowed here? They are for sure allowed in the outside areas right?
Hussam S
Cairo, Egypt487 contributions
I don´t know ... Can ask the free museum
Brittney R
Beeville, TX14 contributions
Are dogs allowed here? They are for sure allowed in the outside areas right?
chicke2006
Atlanta, GA10 contributions
No, not on the site outside of the grounds yes
katyleigh
tahlequah281 contributions
Do you have to book a tour to see the outside of the house, the cemetery, and, the church?
Matarsha C
21 contributions
No, you don’t have to book a tour. You can visit these places on your own.
AnonymousVBG
Boston, MA359 contributions
How early do people typically start queuing for spots on the home tour? Is 8:45am too late?
micahkimler
Thomasville, GA154 contributions
We arrived at 11am and we were told that the next available tour was at 3:30 that afternoon.
Leslie J
Slidell, LA14 contributions
We'll be visiting Atlanta on the weekend of Oct 20th, and wanted to visit Dr. King's historic site. What's open and what's closed due to renovations? Will it be worth us making a trip if major components are under renovation
Wanderlust_ff_2016
Hamburg, Germany82 contributions
Hi,
to be on the safe side, I would like to recommend the website 'nps.gov/malu' to you.
Last week everything was open (King Center, Church, Birth Home...) - but with the exeption to the 'Visitor Center' on Peace Plaza! This is closed for renovation. Currently, there is only a small exhibition at the 'Historic Fire Station No. 6' which I liked and where you can book the guided tour to the birth home (but maybe it's better to book in advance).
Best from Hamburg, 'Wanderlust'
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site (Atlanta) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 29 Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site:
- Dr. Martin Luther King's Tour (From $36.99)
- Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour (From $40.00)
- 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Trolley Tour in Atlanta (From $36.00)
- Atlanta's Black History and Civil Rights Tour (From $69.00)
- Roundabout Atlanta Sightseeing City Tour (From $69.00)
- Hotels near Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site:
- (0.11 mi) Historic Charm in Old Fourth Ward - Welcome to the Beltline
- (0.19 mi) Modern Industrial Chic Home in downtown Atlanta-Old Fourth Ward
- (0.70 mi) Sugar Magnolia Bed & Breakfast
- (0.82 mi) The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton
- (0.25 mi) Spacious 5BR/5BA in the heart of Old Fourth Ward
- Restaurants near Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site:
- (0.09 mi) Georgia Beer Garden
- (0.10 mi) Cafe 458
- (0.12 mi) Edgewood Corner Tavern
- (0.13 mi) Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium
- (0.12 mi) Cafe Circa
- Attractions near Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site:
- (0.03 mi) Civil Rights Tour Atlanta
- (0.06 mi) The King Center
- (0.06 mi) Ebenezer Baptist Church
- (0.10 mi) Havana Cigars
- (0.11 mi) Fire Station No. 6