Suggested Itinerary Options

Suggested Itineraries for those seeking to see Atlanta through notable African-American vacation spots.

Through Civil Rights and Beyond

"Atlanta is known for its rich African-American culture," said Kathleen Bertrand, ACVB senior vice president of governmental and community affairs. "Visitors to Atlanta may find history, cultural attractions and the spirit of the black family in the many churches, restaurants and attractions in Atlanta."

Morning Suggestions 

Sweet Auburn District
Visit the Sweet Auburn District and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

The Sweet Auburn District houses the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site; the restored King Birth Home; Ebenezer Baptist Church, where three generations of the King family preached; and the burial site of MLK Jr. and his wife, Coretta.

Guided walking tours of the Sweet Auburn District are offered Saturday from March-November. To schedule a tour, contact the Atlanta Preservation Center.

Insider Tip: Take the GPS Ranger tour of MLK National Historic Site.  Located inside the historic firehouse you can rent a hand held GPS which will take you on a Tour at your own walking pace. 

International Civil Rights Walk of Fame
Stand in the footsteps of civil rights leaders on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, where the shoe prints of heroes such as Rosa Parks, President Jimmy Carter, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and 14 others have been embedded in a permanent concrete memorial in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Space exists eventually to hold more than 600 footprints of exceptional men and women.

APEX Museum
Hear stories of early African-American pioneers in Atlanta and of Auburn Avenue, plus learn about the powerful black families that helped transform Atlanta.

Lunch Suggestions

Visit the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, opened in 1918 to bring urban consumers direct access to farmers and their products. Today, the market is an international delight, welcoming all people. The Sweet Auburn Curb Market caters to business people, downtown and in-town residents, as well as nearby students. It is a favorite shopping place for family occasions and holiday meals – attracting shoppers from all over the state who are looking for specialty items sold at the market.

For an urban spin on your favorite traditions, try Sweet Auburn Bistro. This innovative chef-driven restaurant offers a modern dining menu spiced with soul food and Southern cooking. Chef Glen Law's New South approach creates a truly unique dining experience.

Or visit Gladys Knight & Ron Winan's Chicken & Waffles, which calls to mind 1930s-era Harlem when celebrities visiting Wells restaurant in the early morning hours couldn't decide if they wanted dinner or breakfast. The strange but delicious combination of juicy fried chicken with sweet, syrupy waffles was born. Open until 4 a.m. on weekends, stop for lunch, dinner or a late-night snack from the musically themed menu.

Afternoon Suggestions

The Atlanta University Center
The Atlanta University Center is the largest concentration of African-American colleges in America and includes Spelman, Morehouse and Morris Brown colleges and Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Spelman College: The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art emphasizes works by and about women of the African Diaspora.

Dinner Suggestions 

Civil rights leaders and strategists would come together over the Paschal brothers' savory cooking at Paschal's Motor Hotel and Restaurant. Today, Paschal's Restaurant at Castleberry Hill still hosts Atlanta's leaders for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

Evening Suggestions 

True Colors Theatre Company
Check the schedule of True Colors Theatre Company, a national company led by Kenny Leon, former Alliance Theatre artistic director and director of the Broadway revival of "Raisin in the Sun." The theater is committed to staging groundbreaking African-American plays. 

 

Black History Month Parade

The Spirit of Sweet Auburn lives on in this fun and free family event! Saturday, 2/27
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‘Our Town’ by Kenny Leon

The multicultural spin on a classic explores a 20th century small town. Opening at True Colors Theatre 2/21
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Express Yourself Art Contest

Underground Atlanta showcases art work celebrating Black History Month. Entry Deadline Sunday, 2/28
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