PARK OVERVIEW
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park preserves a two-block area of Auburn Avenue in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, that was significant to the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The park includes the home where he was born, Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was baptized and later became co-pastor until his death in 1968, the King Center and the tomb of King and his wife Coretta, and Fire Station No. 6, the fire station that served King’s Auburn Avenue neighborhood from 1894 until 1991. All are open to the public, though the King birth home can only be seen on a guided tour. The National Park Service recently acquired King’s last home on Sunset Avenue and the Prince Hall Masonic Temple, the first national headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (an early Civil Rights organization headed by King), though neither are open to the public at this time.
GETTING THERE
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is located in an urban setting, so those traveling to the park by vehicle must deal with downtown Atlanta traffic. However, there is a free parking area a block from the Visitor Center on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue near the corner of Boulevard NE.
For those coming by MARTA (Atlanta’s “subway” system), the closest stop is King Memorial on the East-West line. From there it is a .7-mile walk (15 minutes) to the park. Exit the station onto Decatur Street and take a right, then a left a few blocks later on Jackson Street; Jackson passes right by the park.
Visitors can also get off at Peachtree Center on the North-South line and take the Atlanta Streetcar. This trolley follows a circular route and includes a stop in front of Ebenezer Baptist Church. At the time of this writing, there is a $1/person charge that is most easily paid in cash. If you plan to take the trolley, be sure to bring two $1 bills.
OPERATING HOURS
All attractions at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, including the Visitor Center, are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The King Center’s Freedom Hall has extended hours until 6 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
Times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to get the current schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the park.
FEES
There are no fees for any of the attractions at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
Visitor Center
allow 1 to 2 hours
Birth Home Tour
allow 1 hour
Ebenezer Baptist Church
allow 30 minutes
Fire Station No. 6
allow 30 minutes
King Center and Tomb
allow 45 minutes
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Last updated on February 18, 2020