USA, Georgia, Atlanta, Martin Luther King National Historic Site, birthplace of Rev. Martin Luther King, King family home

Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Martin Luther King Jr Birthplace

Atlanta


The home where Martin Luther King was born and spent the first twelve years of his life is now part of the National Historic Site. Free first-come, first-served guided tours take about 30 minutes to complete and require same-day registration.

Arrive early and stop at the visitor center at the site to check availability – there are only 15 spaces on each tour and slots fill fast. The tours can depart anytime between 10am and 4pm, but you are free to visit the rest of the park at your leisure before your designated tour time.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Atlanta attractions

3. First Ebenezer Baptist Church

0.15 MILES

Martin Luther King Jr, his father and grandfather were all pastors here, and King Jr's mother was the choir director. Sadly she was murdered here by a…

4. Ebenezer Baptist Church (New)

0.16 MILES

The new Ebenezer Baptist Church is the home of the congregation once led by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. As befits one of the most influential church…

5. Oakland Cemetery

0.47 MILES

In addition to holding the graves of author Margeret Mitchell, golf great Bobby Jones and Atlanta’s first African American mayor, Maynard Jackson, Atlanta…

6. Georgia State Capitol

1.04 MILES

The gold-domed capitol is Atlanta's political hub. Free self-guided tours give visitors a glance at state-level American politics.

7. Historic Fourth Ward Park

1.06 MILES

Behind Ponce City Market, this below-ground-level 17-acre urban park was one of the BeltLine's first projects. It features a storm-water retention pond…

8. Underground Atlanta

1.07 MILES

This shopping and entertainment district in the Five Points area touted itself as a 'city beneath the streets' when it opened on Atlanta's original post…