Visiting Atlanta’s National Center for Civil and Human Rights: What to Know Before You Go

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is one of the city’s most important cultural attractions. It connects Atlanta’s Civil Rights legacy with ongoing human rights movements around the world, making it a powerful stop whether you live here or are visiting for a few days.

Below is a practical guide to help you plan a visit, understand what you’ll see inside, and make the most of your time in this landmark Atlanta museum.

Where the Center Is and How It Fits into Atlanta

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is located at:

100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (678) 999-8990

It sits in the Centennial Park District, right next to several other major downtown attractions:

• World of Coca-Cola
• Georgia Aquarium
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Walking distance to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena

If you’re building a “things to do in Atlanta” day, the Center fits naturally into a half-day or full-day downtown itinerary.

Getting There

By MARTA:

• Take the Red or Gold Line to Peachtree Center Station
• Walk about 10–15 minutes west along Andrew Young International Blvd toward Centennial Olympic Park
• Follow signs to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights / World of Coca-Cola / Georgia Aquarium

By Car:

• The Center is near the intersection of Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW and Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
• Several paid parking decks and surface lots serve the entire Centennial Park area
  (check current rates on arrival; they can vary by event days and time of day)

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

• MARTA: Take the train from the Airport Station to Peachtree Center
• Car: The drive is usually about 15–25 minutes outside of rush hour, longer during peak times

What the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Is All About

The Center is more than a museum; it’s an experience focused on stories, voices, and lived realities. Exhibits combine artifacts, multimedia, personal accounts, and interactive displays.

You’ll see two major threads:

1. Atlanta’s role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement
2. Global human rights issues and struggles today

This connection is central in Atlanta, a city known as the “Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement.” If you’re pairing visits, the Center goes hand-in-hand with:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park (on Auburn Ave)
• The King Center
• Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church

Main Exhibits and What to Expect Inside

While exhibits can change or rotate, visitors typically encounter three core areas.

1. The American Civil Rights Movement

This section focuses heavily on the 1950s–1960s movement, with a strong Atlanta connection.

You can expect:

• Original documents, photos, and artifacts that bring key events to life
• A powerful lunch counter sit-in simulation, where you can sit at a counter and experience audio meant to reflect what nonviolent protesters endured
• Exhibits highlighting local Atlanta leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the city’s role in organizing protests, marches, and legal challenges

This area often feels emotionally intense. Many visitors say it helps put familiar names and dates into a personal, human context.

2. Human Rights Around the World

Another core section focuses on modern human rights issues, exploring:

• Basic human rights principles and how they’re framed internationally
• Historical and current examples of human rights violations
• Stories of activists, defenders, and organizations working for justice across the globe

Interactive displays help you connect what you learned about the Civil Rights Movement to ongoing struggles, such as:

• Discrimination and systemic injustice
• Refugee crises
• Gender, racial, and religious persecution

This area often prompts visitors to think about how Atlanta fits into global movements, given its role as a major international city and home to many nonprofits and advocacy groups.

3. Rotating and Special Exhibits

The Center regularly hosts:

• Rotating exhibits focused on specific topics (e.g., voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, or individual human rights defenders)
• Temporary displays connected to current events or anniversaries

If you live in Atlanta, this makes the Center a place you can revisit and still discover something new.

How Long to Spend and When to Go

Most visitors spend about:

• 1.5–3 hours inside, depending on reading pace and how deeply they engage with interactive exhibits

Best Times to Visit

• Weekday mornings often feel less crowded
• School field trip season (especially during the traditional school year) may bring larger groups; planning slightly before or after mid-morning can help
• If you’re visiting other downtown attractions the same day, consider:
  • Morning at the Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola
  • Afternoon at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, when you’re ready for a more reflective experience

Tickets, Admission, and Discounts

Ticket options can change over time, but common patterns include:

• General adult admission
• Youth tickets
• Possible senior, student, or military discounts with valid ID
• Group rates for schools, community organizations, and tour groups (usually require advance coordination)

Because pricing can change and there may be special offers or combo passes with nearby attractions, it’s wise to:

• Check current hours and ticket info directly with the Center by phone or on their official channels
• Ask about combination tickets if you’re visiting multiple downtown Atlanta attractions the same day

🎟 Local tip: Atlanta residents sometimes look for citywide attraction passes that include the Center, the Aquarium, and other downtown sites if they plan a packed tourist-style weekend.

Accessibility and Visitor Amenities

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is designed to be accessible and welcoming to a broad range of visitors.

Common features you can expect from major Atlanta museums include:

• Wheelchair-accessible entrances and elevators
• Wide pathways and accessible restrooms
• Clear directional signage throughout the building
• Staff available to answer questions or assist with wayfinding

Because details can change or be updated, if you have specific needs (mobility devices, sensory accommodations, group accessibility concerns), it’s best to:

• Call ahead: (678) 999-8990
• Ask about any available services or accommodations, such as seating areas, quiet spaces, or assistive listening devices

Visiting with Kids and Teens

The Center is family-friendly, but the subject matter is serious and sometimes graphic. Many Atlanta parents and teachers use it as an educational experience for upper elementary, middle school, and high school students.

What to Consider

• Younger kids (elementary):
  • Some exhibits may be intense or confusing without guidance
  • Parents often choose to walk through together and skip certain sections if needed
• Middle and high school students:
  • This is an excellent place to make classroom lessons more concrete
  • Exhibits can spark thoughtful conversations about fairness, justice, and history

👪 Tip: Plan time after your visit (at a nearby park, café, or on the walk back to MARTA) to talk through what everyone saw and felt. Many families and school groups find this reflection time important.

How the Center Fits into a Day in Downtown Atlanta

Because of its location, you can easily combine the National Center for Civil and Human Rights with other downtown highlights.

Sample Half-Day Itinerary

Morning:

• MARTA to Peachtree Center
• Walk through Centennial Olympic Park
• Visit Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola

Lunch:

• Eat at one of the casual restaurants or food courts in the Centennial Park District or nearby Luckie Marietta District

Afternoon:

• Spend 2–3 hours at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Walk back through the park or head toward State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium if you have an evening event

If you’re local, you can also pair the Center with a separate visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood on another day, creating a broader “Civil Rights in Atlanta” experience.

Best Ways for Atlanta Locals to Engage

For Atlanta residents, the Center can become more than a one-time stop.

Ideas for Ongoing Engagement

• Bring visiting friends and family: It’s a strong introduction to Atlanta’s history and identity
• Plan school or youth group visits: Many Atlanta-area schools, faith groups, and nonprofits use the Center for educational field trips
• Look for talks, programs, or special events: The Center often hosts public events, conversations with activists, or themed days that go deeper into specific topics

If you’re involved with a neighborhood association, student group, or local organization, coordinating a group visit can be a meaningful way to connect Atlanta’s past to present-day community work.

Quick-Glance Visitor Summary

If you’re exploring things to do in Atlanta and want something meaningful, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights offers a powerful mix of local history, national milestones, and global perspectives—all rooted in the city that helped define the Civil Rights Movement.