Civil Rights Trail Tour

Itinerary:

Begin your exploration at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy continues to inspire generations.

The Lorraine Motel Memorial

Walk through interactive exhibits at the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, capturing the faces of the movement through Ernest Withers’ powerful photography.

Then descend into the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, a preserved safe house that reveals the bravery of those who sought freedom long before the modern Civil Rights era.

Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum Sign

Round out the day at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where the story of sound, struggle, and triumph comes to life.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Highlights:

• National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel

• Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

• Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum

• Stax Museum of American Soul Music

• Beale Street history walk

Lodging: Home2 Suites Downtown

Dining Suggestion: Arcade Restaurant – Established in 1919 and recognized as Memphis’ oldest café, the Arcade combines vintage charm with Southern comfort—famously frequented by Elvis Presley—making it a rich cultural stop with hearty all-day breakfast, lunch, and nostalgic atmosphere.

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing Memorial

Itinerary:

Travel southeast to Birmingham, once known as the epicenter of America’s Civil Rights struggle. Here, powerful reminders of faith and courage mark every corner — from the 16th Street Baptist Church, where a tragic bombing galvanized a nation, to Kelly Ingram Park, where sculptures tell stories of bravery amid brutality.

Statue depicting the Birmingham Riots of 1963 in Kelly Ingram Park

Explore the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a deeply moving museum chronicling the fight for equality across the South.

The day concludes with a shared meal and time for reflection on how far the nation has come — and how far it has yet to go.

Highlights:

• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

• 16th Street Baptist Church

• Kelly Ingram Park

• Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Lodging: Home2 Suites Downtown Birmingham – Featuring spacious suites with moveable furniture and full kitchenettes, this modern hotel includes breakfast and is located close to key Birmingham civil rights sites—ideal for groups who want flexible, comfortable lodging.

Dining Suggestion: Perry’s Steakhouse – Set in a 10,000-sq-ft space complete with private dining rooms and award-winning steaks, Perry’s offers refined dining, original cocktails, and an upscale ambiance—perfect for a memorable group dinner in Birmingham.

Edmund Pettus Bridge

Itinerary:

Stand on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where peaceful marchers were met with violence on “Bloody Sunday,” and feel the weight of history beneath your feet. Visit Brown Chapel AME Church, the organizing hub of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, before continuing to Alabama’s capital city.

In Montgomery, trace the movement’s roots at the Rosa Parks Museum, Civil Rights Memorial Center, and Freedom Rides Museum, each illuminating the courage of ordinary citizens who risked everything for change.

End the day reflecting at the Alabama State Capitol, where the march for voting rights culminated in 1965.

Highlights:

• Brown Chapel AME Church | Edmund Pettus Bridge

• Civil Rights Memorial Center

• Rosa Parks Museum | Alabama State Capitol

• Freedom Rides Museum

Lodging: Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa – This AAA Four-Diamond property in downtown Montgomery features full-service spa amenities, an inviting lobby atrium, and proximity to major civil-rights landmarks—offering a premium stay with relevance to your tour’s theme.

Dining Suggestion: Martha’s Place – A nationally known destination in Montgomery, this buffet-style eatery serves comforting Southern dishes made from scratch—providing hearty, local flavor in a relaxed, welcoming setting ideal for tour groups.

George Washington Carver Museum, Tuskegee Institute

Itinerary:

Today’s journey honors the pioneers who uplifted generations through education, science, and leadership. In Tuskegee, explore the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, celebrating the bravery of the first African-American military aviators who flew with distinction in World War II.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

Discover the legacy of George Washington Carver at the museum bearing his name and tour The Oaks, the home of Booker T. Washington, visionary founder of Tuskegee University. In the afternoon, continue to Atlanta — the cradle of Dr. King’s dream and the final stop on this journey of remembrance and renewal.

Highlights:

• Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

• George Washington Carver Museum

• The Oaks (Home of Booker T. Washington)

• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church (en route)

Lodging: Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown

Dining Suggestion: The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View – Perched high atop Atlanta’s skyline, this tri-level dining complex offers 360-degree panoramic views, upscale cuisine, and a memorable ambiance—making it a standout dinner option for your finale night in Atlanta.

Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home

Itinerary:

Spend the day exploring the heart of the movement where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, planned, and inspired the world.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which includes his birth home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he and his father ministered.

Reflect at The King Center, where Dr. and Coretta Scott King rest side by side, and explore the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, connecting the past to present-day global struggles for justice.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site & Preservation District

A celebratory farewell dinner concludes your journey in the city known as the “Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement.”

Highlights:

• National Center for Civil & Human Rights

• Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home & National Historical Park

• Ebenezer Baptist Church | The King Center

• APEX Museum

Lodging: Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown – Located steps from major Atlanta attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium, this hotel blends modern suites, free breakfast, and a central location—making it an ideal base for your tour’s final nights.

Dining Suggestion: Paschal’s Restaurant – A storied soul-food institution in Atlanta that served as a haven and strategy base for civil-rights leaders, Paschal’s offers rich history alongside classic Southern fare—an ideal dining experience aligned with your tour’s theme.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Itinerary:

Take time to enjoy a pre-flight breakfast at the Atlanta Breakfast Club, known for standout dishes like crispy chicken & waffles and peach-cobbler French toast. This lively eatery brings bold Southern breakfast flavor, and a vibrant atmosphere reflects the profound experiences of the week — the people, the places, and the power of standing where history happened.

Group transfers will be provided to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for departing flights.

Guests leave not only with unforgettable memories but with a renewed appreciation for the resilience, hope, and humanity that define the American Civil Rights story.