Where to Go for Atlanta Black History (tours, museums, historic sites)

Want to plan an Atlanta Black History travel itinerary but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. Any day is a perfect day to learn about Black history in the United States — including while you travel! I created this Atlanta Black History travel list to help you plan your next trip.

While many US destinations gloss over both the dark side of American history as well as the achievements of Black folks in the United States, Atlanta is quite the opposite. I’ve been to Atlanta a few times and always make a point to visit a Black historic site, museum, and Black-owned businesses while there.

Use this guide to find museums, monuments, and more in Atlanta. These destinations will help you learn about historic people and places beyond Black History Month.

What is the story behind Black History Month?

For decades, Black History Month was actually only observed for one week. That is, until its official recognition and transition to a month-long observation in the mid-70s.

Here’s the history of Black History Month + why we celebrate it:

Black History Month was created by historian Carter G. Wilson (and what is now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) in 1926.

Initially, the studying and celebration of Black History stood as a one-week observation in February: called “Negro History Week”.

Wilson and the Association believed: “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”

In 1976, this dedicated week of honoring African American history was officially recognized by the U.S. government and established as “Black History Month”. President Ford urged citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” (source: TIME)

Significance of Atlanta in Black History

Atlanta, Georgia is rooted in Black History. Not only is Atlanta the location of significant events in civil rights history, it has also preserved countless historical sites. It is even affectionately coined “The Black Mecca”, thanks to its achievements in Black education, entrepreneurship, entertainment, community, and more.

The U.S. National Park Service says it best when discussing the importance (and existence) of Atlanta, Georgia as it pertains to Black History.

“The history of African Americans in Atlanta is synonymous with the history of Atlanta itself, and is one of progress and perseverance.”

Here is a list of top-rated Atlanta Black History activities and sites to explore during your visit. Many places listed in this guide (and more) are located in the Sweet Auburn Historic District. It spans 1.5 miles in the center of Atlanta, and has a rich history in the city.

In fact, in 1956, Fortune Magazine considered Auburn Avenue the “Richest Negro Street in America”.

From walking tours and museums, to heritage sites and modern attractions, you can truly fill up your itinerary celebrating all things Black while in Atlanta. Add these to your list:

1. Visit the Center for Civil and Human Rights

Kick off your Black History itinerary with a visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta. To make the most of it, I recommend you spend about 2-3 hours exploring the center’s exhibitions about civil and human rights.

The exhibits are interactive (I left shaking in the “peaceful sit-in” experience) and offer a great overview of not only important moments within the Civil Rights Movement but also highlights of Atlanta’s past. It will help tie together the other historic sites and monuments you visit later.

• Tickets: $16 per person, which you can buy directly or include in an Atlanta City Pass

2. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site includes a few locations: MLK’s Birth Home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center. They are all free to experience, but you can also book a 2.5 hour guided MLK tour of the sites to walk you through it all.

MLK’s Birth Home

Visiting the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. requires some flexibility, as it is the only tour led by NPS rangers. The complimentary tours of Dr. King’s childhood home are 30 minutes long, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and are first-come, first-serve basis.

Note: No reservations are allowed and only 15 people can join each tour. Arrive early but expect to adjust your day around their availability. 

Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a member of this church, baptized here as a child, ordained as a minister, and eventually became a co-pastor here with his father. Upon his death, Dr. King’s funeral was also held in this church.

The King Center

Dr. Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta Scott King’s tombs are both at the King Center. Here you can pay your respects to them, view the Eternal Flame, and browse exhibits on nonviolent social change.

3. Stop By the Atlanta University Center

If you are a fan of HBCUs or want to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, then you’ll want to add visiting Atlanta’s West End to your list. The Atlanta University Center is located in this area, which is essentially the college and university campuses of Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta.

While this isn’t a tourist attraction, there are plenty of ways to experience the campuses respectfully, including visiting their art museums!

• Tickets: The Clark Atlanta University Art Museum and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art are both free with suggested donations of $3-$5.

4. Pay respect at the African American Burial Grounds

The African American Burial Grounds is located at Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta’s oldest public park. Because the cemetery was created and further developed during slavery and segregation, there is a separate historical burial area for African Americans from that time.

While it is free to visit, there are a number of interesting tours you can reserve for a fee. If you are a private group of five or less people, you can even reserve a golf cart for a flat tour fee of $60 during the week, to help you get around.

• Guided Tours: $12 per person, $6 for students

Expert tip: during Black History Month (February) check their website for a list of free guided tours available

5. Tour the APEX museum

If you want to learn more about the history of Auburn Avenue and stories across the African diaspora — including slave trade, Atlanta’s political history, and African exhibits — I recommend you tour the APEX Museum. The African American Panoramic Experience museum tells history from a Black perspective and is Atlanta’s oldest Black history museum.

• Tickets: $5-7 per person (though you can find deals on Groupon)
• Open hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-3pm

6. Shop + dine at the Municipal Market

While in the Sweet Auburn Historic District, be sure to visit the Municipal Market (also known as “Curb Market”) for delicious bites. This building has been open since the 1920’s and the market has been in operation since 1918.

From baked goods and sweets to savory finds, it’s a perfect stop to buy lunch from independently-owned businesses.

While its food may pique your interest, be sure to acknowledge Sweet Auburn Curb Market’s history too: it got its name due to Black vendors having to sell their products on the curb outside of the market walls during the Jim Crow era. Despite this, they still drew large crowds of customers.

• Hours: Open every day except Sundays

7. Celebrate Atlanta’s first black millionaire, Alonzo Herndon

Just as Black History did not start with slavery, it is also not solely riddled with pain and plight. Let’s celebrate Black wealth and entrepreneurship with a visit to the Herndon Home: a 15-room Beaux Arts mansion from Atlanta’s first Black millionaire.

Alonzo Herndon was a former slave who became a barbershop entrepreneur, invested his money in real estate, and later founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company (which is still the United States’ only Black-owned and privately held stock company of its kind). You can check tour availability and reserve tours here.

• Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10am – 4pm

8. Take a photo alongside the John Lewis Hero Mural

The late Congressman John Lewis was a notable change-maker and activist whose civil rights legacy and beyond left a lasting impact in this country. You can find this mural, along with a John Lewis quote from his speech at The March on Washington, located along Auburn Avenue close to other street murals.

• Location of John Lewis mural: 219 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

9. Tour the Tyler Perry studios

While the pandemic halted any public tours from debuting at the new Tyler Perry Studios, it is still a place we think you should add to your list for the future.

Right now visitors can only access the parking lot and visitor center, but don’t worry — Tyler Perry has announced that the studios do aim to start hosting public tours.

In the meantime, check out this video from the iconic Tyler Perry, who has continuously supported Black artists (and their fair wages) for decades.

10. Explore the Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center is 33 acres of beautiful buildings, extensive gardens, as well as award-winning exhibits and a history museum atrium. While it covers non-Black contributions to Atlanta’s history, you’ll be sure to find plenty of interesting exhibits dedicated to African-American Atlanta history too.

• Tickets: $19-23 per person
• Open hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 4pm

11. Dine at Paschal’s Restaurant

This restaurant has rich history and tasty soul food! During the civil rights movement, Paschal’s was a common meeting place for our historical Black icons: including activists, entertainers, and more. They’ve since expanded significantly — you can read all about it on their significant contributions on this timeline.

12. Visit Historical Black Churches

There are countless churches in Atlanta — many of which hold significant influence in Black History. Here are a few you might want to visit:

• Big Bethel AME Church: considered the mother church of African Methodism, as is the oldest in Sweet Auburn
• Wheat Street Baptist Church: historic Black Baptist Church in Sweet Auburn
• Ebenezer (as mentioned in tip #2, at the MLK National Historic Site)

13. Celebrate Black Fine Art at Hammond House Museum

The Hammond House is a beautiful fine arts museum and historical residence of Dr. Otis Thrash Hammonds, who was a distinguished Black physician and art collector in Atlanta, Georgia. The Victorian home is located in Atlanta’s West End and features over 450 works from artists across the African diaspora.

• Tickets: $5-10 per person
• Hours: Friday-Saturday 11am – 5pm, Sundays 12pm-5pm

14. John Wesley Dobbs Monument

While people flock to the well-known MLK monuments, the John Wesley Dobbs monument is often overlooked. John Welsey Dobbs was a civil rights leader and the person who named the area you’ll be exploring, “Sweet Auburn”!

He was also a Prince Hall Mason, as well as co-founder of the Atlanta Negro Voter League — part of his historic contributions to Black suffrage. Honor him with a visit to the John Wesley Dobbs Plaza and look through the monument’s eyes to see sweet, Sweet Auburn Ave.

Location of John Wesley Dobbs Monument: John Wesley Dobbs Plaza, Fort St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

I’m a fan of DIYing my itineraries and creating self-guided tours — the list of 15 things to do in Atlanta for Black History that I provided is one way I’d start the DIY itinerary.

But sometimes guided tours are just what you need when visiting a destination you aren’t familiar with, or if you are overwhelmed with planning. This both helps support local businesses and guides, as well as allows local perspectives to lead the way!

If you want to learn about Atlanta Black history, I highly recommend you book at least one Atlanta Black History tour during your stay. I’ve provided a list of a few below for your reference:

1. Atlanta History Tour From Civil War to Civil Rights by DTours

For a comprehensive private tour of ATL’s history from the Civil War to Civil Rights Movement, consider booking a top-rated Atlanta Black History tour from DTours. Their detailed Atlanta History Tour offers the benefit of private transport, knowledgeable guides, and enough information to help you truly learn your surroundings and be able to explore more even beyond the tour.

• Tour duration: 3 hours
• Transportation and pickup: private transport and pickup included

2. African American Atlanta Culture Tour by Luxury Car by Explore Atlanta Tours

Contrary to popular belief, Black history is not only comprised of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. So much of American popular culture is both influenced and driven by Black culture.

That’s why I recommend the African American culture tour for a good perspective on life as an African American living in the early 1900s through the present day.

• Tour duration: 1.5 hours
• Transportation and pickup: Luxury transport is provided and hotel pickup is available

3. Atlanta Black History & Civil Rights Tour by Roundabout Atlanta

Enjoy an in-depth tour with Atlanta locals through this family-owned tour and transportation company called Roundabout Atlanta. Along with a slew of other tours, their Atlanta Black History & Civil Rights Tour guides you along the footsteps of great leaders and change makers, and historic offers two departure times five days a week (morning and afternoon), allows you to choose your hop-off stops.

• Tour duration: 4 hours
• Transportation and pickup: Group transport included with 2-3 stops (max 14 people), designated meeting point required. 

Which Atlanta Black History tours will you choose first?

I hope you found this Atlanta Black History tours and museums guide useful for your next visit to ATL. It is a great way to become more intimate with the city and its history, and a fantastic way to honor Black contributions to the city and advancement of this country.

Enjoy! xx

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