One Day in Atlanta: Civil Rights & Intown History

Atlanta is often called the “cradle of the Civil Rights Movement,” and there’s no better way to understand the city’s soul than by spending one day tracing its history through the streets where it happened. This one-day Atlanta itinerary takes you from the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Sweet Auburn, through the Victorian beauty of Oakland Cemetery, into the historic charm of Inman Park, and finally to the buzz of Ponce City Market and the Atlanta Beltline. As a bonus, almost everything on this itinerary is free to visit. Whether you’re weaving this into a longer Atlanta trip or have just one day to spare, here’s exactly how to spend it exploring intown Atlanta’s civil rights history and neighborhoods.

Morning: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Atlanta is known as the “cradle of the Civil Right Movement.”  The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park celebrates the neighborhood and its residents who worked together to end segregation in the United States.   Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave his life to the fight for social justice, and his community are celebrated at this urban National Historical Park in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn and Old Fourth Ward Neighborhoods.  Historically this area was home to the vibrant and successful African American community that shaped King and his colleagues.

What to See at the Park

• Visitor Center – make this your first stop.  Sign up for the Birth Home Tour or reserve a spot for the Birth Home Presentation.  The earlier in the day that you arrive, the better your chance is of securing a tour of or presentation on the Birth Home.  The birth home is currently being renovated and is not open for tours.  Tour the exhibits at the Visitor Center to orient yourself and watch the short films. 
• The King Birth House – our guide took us around the house and told us stories of Martin Luther King Jr’s childhood antics.  He went into the bathroom to read comic books to avoid cleaning up after dinner.  This typical little boy grew up to be a great man! 
• Gift Shop – you will find the park store in a historic house next door to the King Birth home.  Even if you are not interested in shopping, it is an opportunity to see a home similar to the one in which the young King family lived. 
• Historic Fire Station No. 6 – learn the history of the desegregation of the Atlanta fire department in this historic fire station that dates from 1894.  Discover the 1927 American La France fire engine inside.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church – this church is the spiritual home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many other black Atlantans.  King was baptized in this church as a child, and he led the congregation as a co-pastor with his father.  To bookend King’s life, his funeral took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church as well.  The historic building was restored in 2001.   
• The King Center – the King Center continues to work to foster social justice across the world.  It is also the final resting place of Dr. and Mrs. King.  

Visiting Tips: Hours, Parking & MARTA Access

The park is free to visit, and it is open almost every day.  There is a playground here, if you need to take a break with your littles.  My family spent 3 hours exploring the park from 9am-noon.

You will find a free parking lot at 434 Irwin Street NE between Boulevard and Jackson Street.  Using MARTA, you can walk to the Visitor’s Center in roughly 15 minutes from the King Memorial Station. MARTA Bus Route 7 travels between King Memorial Station and the MLK Jr. NHP. Another option is to ride the Atlanta Streetcar from downtown to the King Historic District stop.

Lunch in the Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park

Lotta Frutta Fruteria

This Pan-Latin gourmet fruit house operates out of a corner store at Auburn Ave and Randolph Street. Is it steps from the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. It operates out of a small window and offers seating outside along the sidewalk. If the weather is good, I highly recommend eating lunch at this hidden gem!

I love the Queso Quartet (with ham) sandwich and the Lotta Mora smoothie with a base of coco crema. The Mucho Mango smoothie with a base of pineapple juice is the most popular one. The Cremolotta fruit cup is the most popular one, however the Dolce Vitta fruit cup is also delicious. Smoothies and fruit cups are served with tiny umbrellas. Plus they sell Cuban coffee.

Open from noon until 4 or 5pm daily except Mondays.

Krog Street Market Food Hall

This unique food hall offers local specialty cuisine on the Beltline. There are so many local concepts available to try. If you and your friends have different tastes – no problem – there is something for everyone!  The Krog District mixed-use district that straddles the Atlanta Beltline between Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park.  Check out everything that the Krog District has to offer!

A few favorite restaurants include:

• Varuni Napoli
• Gu’s Dumplings
• Superica
• Bell Street Burritos

How to get to the Krog District

You can access these restaurant and retail spaces from the Beltline. Paid Parking is available in the Krog Parking Deck at 73 Krog St NE, Atlanta. There is also a paid surface lot including Tesla chargers available at Krog Street Market on the corner of Lake Ave and Waddell St.

Afternoon: Oakland Cemetery

Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta’s spectacular Victorian garden cemetery.  It is the final resting place of many notable Atlantans including those from the African American community.  Visit this outdoor space during the most pleasant time of the day – depending on the season.  If you come in the summertime, you should enjoy the cooler morning temperatures touring the cemetery; but I recommend that you stop at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center to secure your tour of the King Birth House first. 

Notable Sections & Notable Residents

Notable sections of Oakland Cemetery include the Original Six Acres, Bell Tower Ridge – this is my favorite section to explore, Jewish Hill & Flat, the African American Burial Grounds, and the Confederate Burial Grounds.  Check out this printable map of Oakland Cemetery.  You can take an organized tour or use this Oakland Cemetery Guide to wander through the garden cemetery on your own.  Most visitors spend between an hour and three hours here.  

Some notable residents at Oakland Cemetery include:

• Margaret Mitchell Marsh – author of Gone with the Wind
• Maynard Holbrook Jackson – first African American mayor of Atlanta
• Kenny Rogers – country singer
• Bobby Jones – golfer

Visiting Tips: Hours, Parking & Tours

Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery hosts a variety of events and tours.  Check out upcoming special events as you plan your visit.  The cemetery is free to visit.  Paid parking (via the ParkMobile app at 342 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE) is available in a lot near the Visitor Center & Shop or you can park for free on the street; or take public transportation to MARTA’s King Memorial Station.

Afternoon: Explore Inman Park Neighborhood

If you have more time in the afternoon, check out the nearby Inman Park neighborhood. This is one of intown Atlanta’s oldest and most beloved neighborhoods.  Explore the Carter Center, walk the Atlanta Beltline, grab a treat in the Krog District or soak in the historic neighborhood architecture by visiting the Trolley Barn and taking a free self-guided walking tour of the Victorian Grand Dames.

Walking Tours of Inman Park

Step back in time and explore the Grand Dames of Inman Park and learn about the families who built these beautiful homes in the 1890s on this Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Inman Park. Are you looking for a more in-depth tour? Sign up for a guided tour with the Atlanta Preservation Center!

If you drive to Inman Park, there is free street parking available in most of the neighborhood.  It may be difficult to find near the retail districts.  Street parking is permit-only near the Little Five Points district.  You can also take public transportation to MARTA’s Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station.    

Paid Parking in Inman Park:

• Krog Parking Deck: 73 Krog St NE, Atlanta
• Krog Street Market surface lot on the corner of Lake Ave and Waddell St
• Inman Quarter Parking Deck: 299 North Highland Ave

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum

The Carter Museum and the Carter Center sit on 35 landscaped acres of Georgia’s rolling hills. The museum’s permanent exhibits walk you through the important milestones in President Jimmy Carter’s life and presidency. The replica of the oval office from Carter’s time in the White House is the highlight. The museum also displays two to four traveling exhibitions each year.

Parking is available onsite. Children 16 and under receive free admission. Learn more about visiting the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum on their website.  MARTA Bus Route 51 stops at the Carter Center. This line connects at the Civic Center Station and the Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station.

Evening: Ponce City Market and the Atlanta Beltline

Dinner and Rooftop Fun at Ponce City Market

Enjoy dinner at Ponce City Market.  You can make a reservation at a sit-down restaurant or simply grab a quick bite at one of the many food hall restaurants.  After dinner, you have options:

• Explore the retail shops at Ponce City Market
• Check out the carnival experience on the Roof at Ponce City Market
• Make a reservation for the 9 Mile Station – Ponce City’s Market’s rooftop bar and restaurant

An Evening Stroll on the Beltline

After a full day of history and exploring, an after-dinner stroll along the Atlanta Beltline is just what the doctor ordered. This repurposed rail corridor connects many of Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods, and the stretch near Ponce City Market and the Old Fourth Ward is one of the liveliest sections in the city.

Take your time wandering along the path as the sun sets and the city lights begin to twinkle. You’ll get some of the best people-watching in Atlanta here – joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, and fellow visitors all share the path in the evening. The Beltline also offers unique views of the Atlanta skyline and Ponce City Market’s iconic clock tower that you won’t get anywhere else in the city.

It’s a relaxed, low-key way to close out a day that started with some of the most powerful history Atlanta has to offer. No agenda needed – just walk as far as feels good, then loop back to Ponce City Market or head to your car or rideshare pickup.

Tips for Planning Your Day

Before you head out, a few things will help this day run smoothly.

Start early. Arrive at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center as close to opening as possible. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of securing a spot for the Birth Home Tour, and you’ll beat both the crowds and the heat if you’re visiting in summer.

Almost everything is free. The MLK Jr. National Historical Park, Oakland Cemetery, and a self-guided walking tour of Inman Park cost nothing to visit – budget your money instead for lunch, parking, and dinner.

Wear comfortable shoes. Between the Historical Park, Oakland Cemetery’s paths, and walking through Inman Park and the Beltline, you’ll be on your feet most of the day.

Use MARTA where you can. The King Memorial Station puts you within walking distance of Oakland Cemetery and within the vicinity of the National Historical Park and Krog Street Market, which helps you avoid Atlanta’s notorious traffic and parking hassles.

Plan around the season. If you’re visiting in summer, tackle Oakland Cemetery in the cooler morning hours if possible, and save shaded or indoor stops for the heat of the afternoon.

Budget your time realistically. The Historical Park alone can take 2–3 hours, and Oakland Cemetery can easily absorb another 1–3 hours depending on how much you explore. If you want to add the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, you may need to trim time elsewhere or extend into a half-day two.

Your Perfect Day of Atlanta History Awaits

This one-day journey through Atlanta’s Civil Rights history and intown neighborhoods is one of the most meaningful ways to experience the city. This itinerary offers powerful history, beautiful architecture, and some of Atlanta’s best local flavor, almost entirely for free. Whether you’re spending a single day here or folding it into a longer visit, this route captures a side of Atlanta that no first-time (or repeat!) visitor should miss. Ready to build out your full trip? Check out my complete 3-Day Atlanta Itinerary for downtown attractions, Midtown museums, and where to stay – and let me know in the comments which stop on today’s itinerary you’re most excited to visit!