Martin Luther King Jr US Road Trip
One of the most influential people of our modern day United States history is Martin Luther King Jr. The best way to understand the life and impact of historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr is to visit the places that have direct ties to the events of their life. We have taken the opportunity to visit many of these places in the United States and have more on our list. Here is the ultimate Martin Luther King Jr US Road Trip!
This post includes affiliate links.
Martin Luther King Jr US Road Trip
This trip covers almost 2,000 miles, so you probably can’t do it all in one trip. Just pin the post, print it off or put it in your vacation planner so you can work these stops into your next road trip! Let’s learn about history by walking in the steps of our American heroes!
National Civil Rights Museum
The farthest western stop in this road trip is Memphis, Tennessee where you see over 260 artifacts, more than 40 new films, oral histories, interactive media that guide visitors through five centuries of history — from the beginning of the resistance during slavery, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow, and the seminal events of the late 20th century that inspired people around the world to stand up for equality.
450 Mulberry Street
Memphis, TN
Website
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
When you leave Memphis, drive to White Hall, Alabama where you can trace the march toward freedom on the 54-mile trail and connect with their stories at the Interpretive Center.
7002 U.S. Highway 80 West
P.O. Box 595
White Hall, AL 36040
Website
When planning to visit the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, allow sufficient time to stop and see the sights, envision the march, feel the tension, cross the bridge, follow the paths of the foot soldiers, and end in triumph…
 |
 |
 |
Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site
Plan to spend some time in Atlanta at the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site where you can visit his birthplace home, tour the Ebenezer Baptist Church and see the gravesite of King and his wife.
Read our full visit to the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site
A young boy grows up in a time of segregation…A dreamer is moved by destiny into leadership of the modern civil rights movement…This was Martin Luther King, Jr. Come hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child. Walk in his footsteps, and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds. Marvel at how he was an instrument for social change.
450 Auburn Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
Website
Martin Luther King Jr Birthplace
Get there early and get your tickets so you can tour the birthplace home. On our visit, we were too late in the day to secure a tour. But you can still walk past the home, get pictures and learn about early life of Martin Luther King Jr.
MLK Burial Site
Walk through the museum and then over to the gravesite of both Martin Luther King Jr and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Take some time to sit and absorb history at the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Lincoln Memorial
When you arrive in Washington DC, you can stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr delivered the historic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Traveler tip: Take a few minutes to look for the plaque at the Lincoln Memorial where King actually stood during the speech! Can you believe that we were there and we didn’t take the picture?
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
End your Martin Luther King Jr Road Trip at the MLK Memorial. There’s something incredibly powerful when you stand at the memorial and look out across the Tidal Basin. The Memorial is massive and the white granite walls stand out against the blue skies. Truly a perfect place to honor the influential man who did so much in his short life.
See our full visit to the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in Washington DC
1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Many cities have monuments, bridges and memorials dedicated to the life of Martin Luther King Jr. When we were in Roanoke, Virgina we walked across the Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge and and took a few minutes to honor this man’s life and work in Roanoke.
How do you honor, remember and teach the next generation about the men and women who have been instrumental in shaping the direction of our country?
Looking for other historical road trips? Take a look at this plan for the Ultimate Abraham Lincoln US Landmarks Road Trip.
