Visiting The King Center in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change—known locally as The King Center—is one of Atlanta’s most important historic and cultural sites. Whether you live in metro Atlanta or are visiting for a few days, this is a place that helps you understand both the city’s past and its ongoing role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Located in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood just east of Downtown, The King Center is more than a museum. It’s a living memorial, an educational center, and a space where people come to reflect, learn, and get involved.

Where The King Center Is and How It Fits Into Atlanta

The King Center sits within the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park area, close to downtown Atlanta and the Old Fourth Ward.

Main location:

• The King Center
• 449 Auburn Avenue NE
• Atlanta, GA 30312

The King Center is part of a larger cluster of civil rights landmarks, including:

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birth Home
• Ebenezer Baptist Church (Historic and Horizon Sanctuary)
• Historic Fire Station No. 6
• Freedom Hall
• Dr. and Mrs. King’s tomb and reflecting pool

If you’re planning a visit to Atlanta focused on history, civil rights, or Black culture, this area is typically at the top of the list.

What The King Center Is (and Isn’t)

The King Center is:

• A historic site and memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King
• An educational center focused on nonviolence and social justice
• A museum-style experience with exhibits, artifacts, and video presentations
• A quiet reflection space, especially near the crypt and Eternal Flame

It is not:

• An amusement attraction
• A conventional “theme museum” focused only on artifacts—it’s also about ideas, training, and ongoing work

If you’re an Atlanta resident, The King Center can be a meaningful place to return to over time, especially if you’re raising kids here or work in education, community organizing, or public service.

Key Areas to See at The King Center

1. Freedom Hall

Freedom Hall is one of the core buildings at The King Center. Inside, you’ll typically find:

• Exhibits on Dr. King’s life and work
• Displays about Coretta Scott King, including her role in civil rights and global human rights
• Exhibits highlighting other leaders in nonviolence and social justice
• Art, photographs, and multimedia presentations

Most visitors who want a deeper understanding of Dr. King’s legacy in Atlanta spend a good amount of time here. It’s a good starting point if you’re short on time.

2. Dr. and Mrs. King’s Crypt and Reflecting Pool

Outside, on The King Center grounds, you’ll see the white marble crypt where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King are entombed. The crypt is set in the center of a reflecting pool, which creates a peaceful atmosphere.

Nearby, you’ll also see the Eternal Flame, symbolizing the ongoing work for justice and nonviolence.

This area is usually quiet and is treated as a space for reflection and respect. Many locals bring visitors here as a meaningful stop, even if they don’t go into every building.

3. Ebenezer Baptist Church

Directly across Auburn Avenue from The King Center is Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where:

• Dr. King was baptized
• He later served as co-pastor with his father
• Many key moments in his life and the Civil Rights Movement are connected

There is also the new Ebenezer Baptist Church (Horizon Sanctuary) a short walk away, where services and events are currently held.

For many visitors, stepping inside the historic sanctuary—often with audio or video playing of Dr. King’s sermons—feels like a powerful, grounded way to connect with Atlanta’s history.

4. The King Birth Home and Neighborhood

A few blocks up the street (still within walking distance) is the King Birth Home, where Dr. King spent his early years. The surrounding neighborhood, with preserved homes and historic markers, gives you a sense of:

• Sweet Auburn as a thriving center of Black business and culture in the early and mid-1900s
• The physical world that shaped Dr. King’s upbringing

Tours of the Birth Home are typically operated through the National Park Service. These can be popular, so same-day tickets may go quickly. Local residents often recommend arriving earlier in the day if the Birth Home is a priority for you.

Getting to The King Center in Atlanta

By Car

From Downtown Atlanta:

• It’s roughly a 5-minute drive, depending on traffic.
• Head east from downtown toward Auburn Avenue or Edgewood Avenue.

Parking in the area can include:

• A visitor parking lot associated with the MLK National Historical Park area
• Street parking along Auburn and nearby streets (check signs and meter rules)

💡 Tip for locals: If you’re visiting on a weekend or holiday, give yourself extra time to find parking or consider rideshare to avoid circling the block.

By MARTA

For visitors without a car—or locals who prefer transit—MARTA is a practical option.

• Take the Blue or Green Line to King Memorial Station.
• From there, it’s about a 10–15 minute walk to The King Center along Dekalb Ave and Boulevard, or via local streets toward Auburn Avenue.

You can also use bus routes that run through the Old Fourth Ward and Sweet Auburn area; routes sometimes shift, so checking current MARTA bus maps or the mobile app can help you plan your trip.

Typical Hours, Entry, and Cost

While exact hours can vary, The King Center and associated sites under normal conditions generally follow a daytime schedule, often aligning with typical museum hours.

Common patterns include:

• Open most days of the week, with some closures on certain holidays or for special events
• No general admission fee to visit the main spaces (donations are typically welcomed)

Because hours and specific building access can change over time—especially for the Birth Home or ranger-led tours—many Atlanta visitors and locals double-check current info before heading out, especially if they’re coordinating with out-of-town guests or school groups.

How Long to Plan for a Visit

How much time you need at The King Center depends on what you want to see:

A typical 2–3 hour visit might include:

1. Walking through Freedom Hall exhibits
2. Spending quiet time at the crypt and reflecting pool
3. Visiting Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
4. Walking the short distance to the Birth Home area and neighborhood markers

The King Center’s Role in Atlanta Today

For Atlanta, The King Center is not just a historic site—it’s an active institution.

Ongoing Education and Training

The King Center is known for promoting Kingian Nonviolence, with activities such as:

• Nonviolence education and training programs
• Resources for teachers, students, and community leaders
• Public events focused on justice, equality, and conflict resolution

If you’re an Atlanta educator, community organizer, or student, The King Center is frequently used as:

• A field trip destination
• A professional development resource
• A place to engage with the ongoing meaning of Dr. King’s work in current local and national issues

Major Events: MLK Day and Beyond

Every January, The King Center is central to Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances, which can include:

• Commemorative programs and ceremonies
• Community service initiatives
• Talks, panels, and gatherings centered on nonviolence and justice

These events attract visitors from across metro Atlanta and beyond, so:

• Expect larger crowds and heavier traffic around the site
• Plan parking or MARTA use ahead of time
• Consider arriving early for more time at the exhibits and memorial spaces

Visiting With Kids or Teens

The King Center is a powerful place to bring children growing up in Atlanta, and many local families and schools use it to start important conversations.

Tips for visiting with younger visitors:

• Prepare them beforehand: Talk briefly about who Dr. King was and why Atlanta is important in his story.
• Break the visit into segments: For younger kids, shorter periods in each space can work better than trying to see everything in one stretch.
• Focus on interactive or visual areas: Audio, videos, and large photo displays often hold their attention more effectively than long text panels.
• Use the visit to connect to Atlanta neighborhoods: Help them notice how Sweet Auburn connects to other parts of the city they know—like Downtown, Edgewood, or the BeltLine area.

Accessibility and Visitor Comfort

The King Center and adjacent historic sites are designed with a broad range of visitors in mind.

Common considerations:

• Wheelchair access is generally available in key buildings and around main outdoor areas, though some historic structures may have limitations.
• Benches and seating are usually available near the reflecting pool and around the campus to rest.
• The grounds are mostly walkable, but you’ll be outdoors between buildings, so in Atlanta’s hot summers, water, sunscreen, and hats can be helpful.

Public restrooms are typically available within the visitor complex. For nearby food and drink, you can walk or drive a short distance to options along Edgewood Avenue, Auburn Avenue, and neighboring streets.

How The King Center Fits Into a Larger Atlanta Itinerary

If you’re planning a broader day in the city, The King Center pairs naturally with other nearby attractions:

• Downtown Atlanta (Georgia State Capitol, Centennial Olympic Park area, State Farm Arena)
• Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail (Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Ponce City Market)
• Other civil rights and history sites in the city, which many visitors combine into a themed day

Many locals recommend starting your day at The King Center, then moving on to a walk or meal in Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, or along Edgewood Avenue, to balance history and reflection with some of Atlanta’s current culture and food scene.

Practical Contact and Visitor Information

Key anchor details for planning your visit:

• Name: The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center)
• Address: 449 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Area: Sweet Auburn / Old Fourth Ward, just east of Downtown Atlanta
• Access: Car, rideshare, MARTA (King Memorial Station + short walk), and local buses

For the most current information on hours, special programs, and any schedule changes, visitors typically check official King Center and National Park Service resources or call ahead before a group visit.

If you live in Atlanta, The King Center can be a place you return to at different points in your life—with visiting relatives, school groups, or on your own. If you’re visiting the city, it offers one of the clearest windows into how Atlanta shaped Dr. King—and how his legacy still shapes Atlanta today.