The Taylor-Grady house is a historical property in Athens that is used mainly for wedding, political and corporate events. Whether you book the house for your wedding reception or for a scholarly lecture, the Taylor-Grady House will provide your event with an air of classic southern hospitality and beauty.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center commemorates Dr. King's life and contributions to America's Civil Rights movement. Located a few blocks east of downtown Atlanta, the facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except major U.S. holidays. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The outdoor memorial and the indoor facilities on the center's grounds attract adults and children.
Parking and public transportation at Martin Luther King Jr. Center
The National Park Service operates a free lot adjacent to its Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site across the street from the King Center. The entrance to this lot is on John Wesley Dobbs Ave, a block north of Auburn Avenue. No parking is permitted on Auburn Avenue in the block occupied by the center. The most convenient MARTA public transportation stop is the downtown Five Points train station. The Number 3 Auburn Avenue bus takes you from Five Points to the center in less than 10 minutes.
Best and worst time go to Martin Luther King Jr. Center
Sunday morning services at Ebenezer Baptist Church and two other large congregations nearby on Auburn help to make Sundays the worst time to visit. The best times are weekday mornings between opening and lunch hour. Avoid school groups by arriving as soon as the center opens.
Admission to Martin Luther King Jr. Center
The King Center has no admission fees for any of its indoor or outdoor facilities.
Must see/do at Martin Luther King Jr. Center
Visit Freedom Hall which houses the center's gift shop and international art exhibits. Make a tour reservation at the National Park Service Information Desk (across the street from the King Center) to enjoy a glimpse into Dr. King's early life at his birth home nearby.
Other places to visit near Martin Luther King Jr. Center
Detailed and interactive exhibits at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site provide an opportunity for in-depth exploration of civil rights activities in America. Foodies will enjoy the Municipal Market, an urban farmer's market and food court, also called the Sweet Auburn Curb Market by residents.
Insider tip for visitors to Martin Luther King Jr. Center
Don't overlook the small firehouse at the intersection of Auburn and Boulevard. It has additional displays related to race relations in American life. Volunteer docents are often available to explain the historical significance of every part of the firehouse's collection.
Author's bio: Carol Luther has lived in Atlanta for 35 years. She has published travel articles in "Diamond" magazine, Arizona Central, USA Today and other websites.
The Apex Museum is located on the Historic Auburn Ave in Atlanta. The museum has been around since 1978, and showcases African American contributions to America & the world. There is a Trolley Theatre as well as the Yates & Milton Drug Store which is one of Atlanta's first black-owned businesses. This museum contains extensive information on the history and transformation of Auburn Ave.
Visitors should plan to spend one to two hours at the Etowah Indian Mounds, the 54-acre Mississippian culture site with six earthen mounds, a plaza, village area, borrow pits and defensive ditch. Dating back to between 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D., the site has a museum with film discussing artifacts, some of which also are on display. The site also includes a gift shop, 20 picnic tables, benches beside the Etowah River and bus parking.
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, next door to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, the architecturally-striking Center for Civil and Human Rights is a cultural attraction that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today's Global Human Rights Movements through a variety of visual and interactive exhibits. Its stated purpose is "to create a safe space for visitors to explore the fundamental rights of all human beings, so that they leave inspired and empowered to join the ongoing dialogue about human rights in their communities."
Parking and public transportation to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Parking for visitors to the Center for Civil and Human Rights is available at the nearby World of Coca-Cola or Georgia Aquarium garages. The Center is also an approximately 10-minute walk from the Georgia Dome/Georgia World Congress Center/Phillips Arena/CNN Center and Civic Center MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) light passenger-rail stations.
Best and worst time to go to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Given the large number of nearby attractions (see below), traffic in the streets surrounding the Center for Civil and Human Rights can be very congested. Check ahead to determine if there are any events taking place in the area that are likely to cause additional congestion during times you wish to visit.
Admission to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Individual admission to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights currently falls in the $5 to $15 range, with various discounts available based on age and military status. Discounts are available for groups of ten and larger; these tours must be scheduled through the Center's Group Sales Department. The Center is open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and on Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Must see/do at the Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Center for Civil and Human Rights features a continually rotating gallery of items from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, where visitors can view the personal papers and items related to Dr. King. The Civil Rights Movement gallery, meanwhile, presents the fight for equality in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s through an immersive experience of sight, sounds and interactive displays.
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Other places to visit near the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Nearby attractions include the Georgia Aquarium; The World of Coca-Cola; the College Football Hall of Fame; CNN Center; and Centennial Olympic Park, whose features include the SkyView Ferris wheel.
Insider tip for visitors to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Check out Atlanta CityPASS, a booklet of discounted admission tickets to 5 must-see tourist attractions (including the Center for Civil and Human Rights) in Atlanta. The booklet is available online and at all Atlanta CityPASS attractions.
Author's bio: Martin Sinderman is a freelance writer as well as owner/operator of Savannah Sidewalk Tours, a walking-tour company.