One of the places that we had yet to explore much in the United States was the South. Other than a few work trips to Atlanta, Justin’s childhood in Arkansas with family, and recent trips to North Carolina and Tennessee, the entire region was pretty foreign to us. We decided to head out on a Civil Rights road trip through the South. Our main goal was to visit some civil rights museums, memorials, and sites and continue learning. Seeing the places that we’ve read about in textbooks has a more significant impact, in my opinion.
Civil Rights Road Trip Stops in the South
During our road trip through the South, we made five stops to check out different historic sites and explore more about this region of the United States. The Southeastern corner of the United States is where many of the significant events during the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s took place. We stuck to Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, but we’ve included a few spots that you could add to your itinerary for a more in-depth adventure.
Memphis, Tennessee
Famous for Graceland and Beale Street, this city also holds a lot of important history outside the music industry. When you inevitably find yourself on Beale Street, stop and read all the riveting plaques on the buildings. They will share lots of fascinating history about the city.
Our Memphis Highlight – The National Civil Rights Museum
The Lorraine Motel was the location of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. They have now turned the old motel into the National Civil Rights Museum. Learn more about the main events from the Civil Rights Movement with some incredible displays. I recommend bringing kleenex. It was very emotional but very well done and appropriate for families.
More Memphis Spots to Check Out:
- Visit the Board Ave Arts District for colorful murals and unique shops.
- The Beauty Shop restaurant has an incredible menu and an awesome beauty parlor vibe that pays homage to the history of this part of the city.
- The Peabody Hotel downtown is a beautiful historic building with more than just rooms. It’s famous for the resident ducks that go on a parade each day to the hotel fountain. You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the birds.
- Spend some time at the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. Visitors can explore the basement and see where fugitives hid during their journey north to freedom.
Dive into more musical history at Sun Studios. This historical building was where Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley recorded early in their careers.
Birmingham, Alabama
We stopped in this city in Northern Alabama for a few hours en route to Montgomery. You don’t need much time here, but it’s worth a stop to see at least one or two spots.
Our Birmingham Highlight – The 16th Street Baptist Church
The 16th Street Baptist Church was a memorable stop for us. We arrived after the tours concluded for the day, but we still wanted to see the building. We recommend planning your visit to join a tour.
A gracious local man brought us into the church and told us about his life growing up in Birmingham and what he remembers from the 1960s. He had some interesting theories and horrific stories about the racism he’s faced, even in recent years. He was well-connected with the church, and we were grateful that he took the time to share with us. Make sure to walk across the street and view the memorial statues at Kelly Ingram Park.
More Birmingham Spots to Check Out:
- Across from the church is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a museum dedicated to the history of Birmingham.
- Sample some of the southern goods at the Pizitz Food Hall. There are a collection of stands serving up all kinds of cuisine.
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of Alabama. The city has been working on revitalizing the downtown area and it is obvious when you visit.
Our Montgomery Highlight – Exploring Downtown
The updates to the downtown area are meant to showcase the history—both good and bad. Standing on the steps of the capitol building, you’re instantly aware of the stark contrast of the experiences people in this city have had. From one spot, you can see the church where MLK Jr was the preacher and then turn 90 degrees to the left and see the first White House of the confederacy. It is a such an important symbol and reminder of the tense conflict that has been a reality in the south for hundreds of years.
The downtown area is beautiful and very walkable. We stopped to see the statue of Rosa Parks waiting for the bus. It is located just down the street from the Equal Justice Initiative, where Bryan Stevenson works. We are huge fans of his (you’ll see his work mentioned below.)
More Montgomery Spots to Check Out:
- Learn more about Rosa Parks and her courage and life at the Rosa Parks Museum.
- Visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. This six-acre park pays tribute to the thousands of people who lost their lives due to racial violence. It’s the first memorial of its kind, and visitors come to find their relatives’ names.
- Search the shelves at Read Herring bookstore. The store carries many books that dive into the history of Montgomery and the South, from the Civil War to Civil Rights.
- Try some southern vegan food at Plant Bae, a black-owned vegan restaurant with some classic dishes with a plant-based twist.
- For more southern food that isn’t vegan, check out the Seafood Bistro. There are multiple po boy sandwiches and fried pickles on the menu.
Selma, Alabama
Just a short drive from Montgomery, you can follow the same path that the brave activists marched in 1965 to fight for the right to vote. There are interpretive centers along the route managed by the National Park Service with free exhibits about the march and the history of the region.
Our Selma Highlight – The Edmund Pettus Bridge
The road takes you right into Selma across the infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge. Stop at the memorial park right at the foot of the bridge where Bloody Sunday took place.
In downtown Selma, you will find another NPS interpretive center with three stories of additional exhibits and photographs. You’ll receive a more detailed account of the events of the Civil Rights movement. Take time to visit both interpretive centers and watch their film (it’s the same at each interpretive center).
Other Selma Spots to Check Out:
- The Brown Chapel is another place to stop while in town. You can easily walk there from the downtown area. There is a memorial for Martin Luther King Jr out front. The church is well known because it was the gathering place before the marches toward Montgomery in 1965. It is now a national historic landmark and still has an active congregation.
- Check out the goods at ArtsRevive. This shop is downtown and supports local artists in the region.
The Gulf Shore Region
After the time in museums and standing in places that we had seen in history books and documentaries, we needed a place to unwind and reflect. The Gulf Shore is a famous vacation spot in the South with white sand beaches and plenty of resorts and beachfront hotels to choose from.
The scenic drive between the coast of Alabama and Mississippi will give you some beautiful viewpoints right on the water with huge trees and historic homes.
Our Gulf Shore Highlight – Ocean Springs, Mississippi
This was really the highlight of Mississippi for us. We struggled to find much that we liked in Hattiesburg, but this small town near Biloxi was great. There were many restaurants to choose from, but we ended up having greek at Glory Bound Gyro Company. Dessert followed from Pop Brothers ice cream. Looking back, I wish we would have skipped the Alabama coast and stayed here longer.
Other Gulf Shore Spots to Check Out:
- The Floribama Coast is packed with resorts, restaurants, and leisure activities. While it’s not our favorite beach destination, many people love it. It reminded us of many popular Florida destinations, but the price point was quite a bit lower.
- Old Dauphin Way Historic District in Mobile is a great spot to stretch your legs. This area is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration, even though it doesn’t get the hype of New Orleans.
Additional Stops for a Civil Rights Road Trip Through the South
We left a few places off our road trip itinerary this trip. We scheduled a dog sit in Hattiesburg, MS, and needed to get there. There were also issues of brain and emotional capacity. We knew that if we did this for two weeks straight, it would start to oversaturate, and we wanted some time to take it in and reflect.
Atlanta, Georgia
The capital of the South has so much history. We have both been for work, but have never traveled there together. The top spot on our list to visit in the future is the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site. There are some incredible museums in the city at well that cover the Civil Rights History in the US and around the world.
Savannah, Georgia
The number one thing on the list in Savannah is the ghost tours. The city has a spooky vibe and I want to learn more about it. There are historic churches, and homes that you can tour. The Pin Point Heritage Museum tells the history of the Gullah/Geechee culture and the newly freed slaves that started this community in the 1890s.
Jackson, Mississippi
I wish we would’ve headed north to Jackson for a day trip at least. The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home recently became a National Historic Site and you can learn more about their part in the Civil Rights Movement. You can also visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans was our next stop on the road trip and would also make a great place to fly out of if you are from further away. Tour the Treme district, eat some delicious gumbo, and explore the historical neighborhoods and unique cemeteries.
How to Prep for Your Civil Rights Road Trip
If you are setting out on a civil rights road trip to do some learning, I recommend these few things we listened to, read, or watched in the weeks leading up to our trip or while driving. It is always helpful for me to have some context on the places we are visiting.
You can always find any recent reads we enjoyed on our recommendations page.
Civil Rights Reading
March: Parts 1-3 by Rep John Lewis and Andrew Aydin – We cannot recommend these graphic novels enough. Nate Powell did the illustrations, which is a unique way to tell the story of John Lewis and his bravery and courage in fighting for equality in his life.
Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr – Maybe you were supposed to read this in school, but even if you have, it’s worth a reread.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – This book explores some of the main issues with our criminal justice system (especially in the South). It follows an attorney who works through some tragic cases and fights to get convictions overturned.
Things to Watch/Listen To
White Lies – Podcast – This pod breaks down the information about the murder of Reverend James Reeb in 1965 and the case that followed, where three men were tried and acquitted. Journalists review the events of that day in 1965. Listeners learn what secrets the people of Selma have been keeping.
In the Dark, Season 2 – Podcast – The first season of this pod is also fascinating, but it’s on a different subject matter. Season 2 is about Curtis Flowers, a man in Mississippi that has been tried for the same murder case six times. It was heartbreaking to listen to but essential for people to learn and understand the roles of elected officials in each county.
Selma – Movie – This film chronicles Martin Luther King Jr’s role in helping to secure equal voting rights in 1965. It tells a different viewpoint of the story that you will find in the March trilogy from John Lewis.
Our Civil Rights Road Trip Route
We found this website extremely helpful as we planned out our stops on the road trip. Click here to plan your Civil Rights road trip and see all the different sites that they recommend through the southern states.
Final Thoughts on Planning a Civil Rights Road Trip Route
We found this website extremely helpful as we planned our road trip stops. Click here to plan your Civil Rights road trip and see all the sites they recommend in the southern states.
This week was important as we started our travel within the United States. We needed to learn about things that happened in this country. The fight for equality, and we have to be vigilant. Knowledge is power.
“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”
Theodore Roosevelt
We encourage you to support some black-owned family businesses while visiting. It’s a beautiful part of the country, but there is still a lot of ugliness there (which could be said about most parts of the US). Be aware and be kind.
As always, let us know if you’re planning a trip like this or have done something similar and have some recommendations.
