Day 1
Check in at the LEED Gold-certified Conrad Washington, DC. Spend the afternoon exploring the National Mall, including visits to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, the historic site of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Conclude the day with dinner at Oyster Oyster, a renowned plant-forward, sustainability-focused restaurant.
Day 2
Spend the day exploring Washington, D.C.'s rich African American heritage with a guided tour. The tour covers iconic sites, including the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the Howard Theatre, culminating in a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. For dinner, enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Founding Farmers.
Day 3
A mostly free day to explore Washington’s monuments at your own pace. We recommend booking the "Harlem Renaissance in DC" walking tour to discover the African American cultural scene of the early 20th century and learn how the U Street corridor earned its reputation as "Black Broadway." Conclude your evening with dinner at Ris.
Day 4
Make your way to Atlanta by car, flight, or train. Upon arrival, check into The Candler Hotel, a property recognized for its LEED Gold certification. After settling in, head to South City Kitchen for dinner to enjoy their renowned local, Southern-influenced cuisine.
Day 5
Dedicate your day to exploring the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, including the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, The King Center, and the surrounding Auburn Avenue district. We recommend checking availability for a tour of Dr. King’s Birth Home, as these sites are central to understanding his legacy. Conclude your evening at Polaris, the Hyatt Regency’s iconic rotating restaurant, where you can enjoy Southern-inspired cuisine paired with panoramic 360-degree views of the Atlanta skyline.
Day 6
Spend the day exploring the profound legacy of the civil rights movement, beginning with an immersive visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Afterward, join a comprehensive Black History and Civil Rights tour of Atlanta to see iconic landmarks and historic neighborhoods that define the city’s heritage. Conclude your day with a sophisticated, Southern-inspired dinner at the historic Auburn Angel.
Day 7
Drive to Montgomery. Stay at Elevation Convening Center & Hotel if available; the Equal Justice Initiative created it for visitors to the Legacy Sites and is an adaptive reuse project with reflective public spaces. If time permits, stop at nearby Tuskegee on the Civil Rights Trail and visit Tuskegee University, founded by Booker T. Washington, the Tuskegee Human & Civil Rights Multicultural Center, and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Center. After checking into your hotel, conclude your day with dinner at Perennial, a local farm-to-table restaurant.
Day 8
Spend your day at the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, keeping in mind that these EJI sites are typically open Wednesday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays. If time permits, include a visit to the Rosa Parks Museum before concluding your evening with dinner at Vintage Year.
Day 9
Begin your day by visiting the Civil Rights Memorial Center, followed by a reserved tour of the historic Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and the Dexter Parsonage Museum, where Dr. King resided during his tenure as pastor at the church. Afterward, explore the Alabama State Capitol to learn about its pivotal role in the state's political history. Conclude your evening with dinner at Central Restaurant, located in the heart of Montgomery’s downtown entertainment district.
Day 10
Travel to Selma and follow part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. Explore the National Voting Rights Museum and walk across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge, reflecting on the courage of those who marched for equality. Afterward, continue to Birmingham, the site where Dr. King wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Upon arrival, check in at the Elyton Hotel and enjoy a contemporary Southern dinner at Helen.
Day 11
Start your day at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which serves as the anchor for the city's historic Civil Rights District. Participate in a comprehensive walking and driving tour that explores pivotal landmarks, including Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of the 1963 bombing that tragically claimed the lives of four young Black girls. Conclude your day with a farm-to-table dinner at the locally-focused Brick & Tin.
Day 12
Travel to Memphis and check in at The Peabody Memphis. Spend the afternoon exploring the historic South Main neighborhood or taking a stroll along the riverfront. For dinner, enjoy a sustainable meal at Farm Burger Memphis, known for its grass-fed beef and commitment to eco-friendly practices. Conclude your day by soaking in the iconic atmosphere of historic Beale Street.
Day 13
Spend your final full day at the National Civil Rights Museum, housed at the historic Lorraine Motel. This essential site chronicles the broader Civil Rights Movement and offers a profound reflection on Dr. King’s final days in Memphis. Continue your exploration of the Civil Rights Trail at the nearby Mason Temple Church of God in Christ, the site of King’s historic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” sermon. Conclude your journey with an elegant dinner at Felicia Suzanne’s, celebrating the city's culinary culture.
Day 14
Depart, or spend a final slow morning at the riverfront before leaving.