Prepare to Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site - Capture The Dream. On 1/15/1929, a son was born to the Reverend and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Sr., in an upstairs bedroom of 501 Auburn Ave, in Atlanta.
Things To Know Before You Come
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic site was established to preserve and interpret the places where Dr. King was born, worked, worshipped and is buried. Places to visit include the Visitor Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, The King Center (Freedom Hall), Fire Station No. 6, Dr. King's Birth Home and the restored Birth Home Block. Admission: Free
Vehicle Parking: Free parking is available on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue between Jackson Street and Boulevard.
Bus Parking: Free parking is available in two specially designated bus parking lots on the north and south sides of John Wesley Dobbs Avenue between Jackson Street and Boulevard.
Bus Loading & Unloading: Buses should load and unload at the designated area on the south side of Irwin Street between Jackson Street and Boulevard. Parking in this area is permitted for 10 minutes only.
Logistics: Most of the park is self-guided. The only guided tour is of the Birth Home. Tickets are free and may be obtained at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center on the day of your visit. By accessing the Visitor Experience Guide (PDF, 238 KB), you can tailor your visit at the park based on the time you have.
Restrooms: Restrooms are located in the Visitor Center, Freedom Hall, and Fire Station No. 6.
Lost and Found: Located at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.
Park Maps: Maps are available free at the Visitor Center. They can also be downloaded by clicking here.
Cameras: Photography, including videos, is permitted in all park buildings EXCEPT the Birth Home.
Birth Home Tours: Reservations for touring the Birth Home are handled on a first-come first-served basis the day of your tour, in person. No advance reservations can be made. There are only 15 persons permitted on a tour. Tours fill up quickly, so arrive early in the day. Groups can reserve up to three spaces (45 persons) the day of their tour. Register at the Visitor Center Information Desk.
Groups: The park can easily accommodate groups from 5 to 500. No special arrangements are needed since most of the park is self-guided. However, reservations are required for all educational programs.
Phone & Address
Phone: Headquarters/Visitor Center 404-331-5190 and Visitor Information (Recorded Message) 404-331-6922. Address: 450 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30312-1525
Operating Hours, Seasons & Phone Contact
Winter operation hours start mid August and last through mid June. The park opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm daily. The first tour of Dr. King's Birth Home starts at 10 am. and the last tour for the day is 5 pm. The Birth Home tour lasts 30 minutes and is conducted every hour.
Summer operation hours start mid June and last through mid August. The park opens at
9 am and closes at 6 pm daily. The first tour of Dr. King's Birth Home begins at 9:30 am and the last tour is 5:30 pm. The Birth Home tour lasts 30 minutes and is conducted every half hour.
Register at the Visitor Center Information Desk. Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission and parking are FREE.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site Attractions 
