Embark on a powerful journey through the American South on this six-day Civil Rights Tour, exploring key sites that shaped the movement for justice and equality. From Atlanta to Selma, visit historic locations such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Hear personal stories, walk in the footsteps of icons like Rosa Parks and Dr. King, and reflect on the sacrifices made for freedom. Each day is filled with meaningful encounters, providing a transformative experience that deepens your understanding of America’s pursuit of civil rights and equality.
Important Terms & Conditions:
There is no deposit required to register. Guests are encouraged to register early so the church may have an accurate headcount of travelers. Space is limited and secured on a first come, first serve basis. The first deposit is due on 4/17/25 and all payments become non-refundable on their respective due dates.
Each individual passenger must purchase a package (packages are per person, not per room).
All passengers must have government issued Identification.
Admission to activities listed in the itinerary are subject to availability and subject to change pending any Juneteenth celebrations. Substitutions may be made.
We recommend purchasing Traveler Protection Insurance. There are several options to choose from. It is not included in the package and purchase is at the traveler's discretion.
The following information regarding optional travel protection is from Travel Insured and is not a MARS company or affiliate organization. MARS provides this information as a client courtesy only. MARS is not an insurance provider and cannot provide insurance advise or plan/coverage specific information.
To help protect your investment of travel and to help protect yourself while you are away, consider purchasing travel protection from Travel Insured International. These protection plans include pre-departure benefits such as Trip Cancellation and post-departure benefits such as Accident & Sickness Medical, Baggage/Baggage Delay, Evacuation, Missed Connection, Trip Delay and Trip Interruption. In addition, plans include 24/7 Emergency Assistance Services that are provided by an independent organization, and not by United States Fire Insurance Company or Travel Insured International.
Below is a link that will allow you to purchase Travel Protection for your trip. Plans may be time sensitive. For questions on the plan, coverage, or procedures, please contact the Group Support Desk at Travel Insured 844-440-8113.
Fly into Atlanta, Georgia, where the journey begins with a warm welcome from your expert Tour Director, who brings the history of the Civil Rights Movement to life.
Start the tour at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, home to several key sites that tell Dr. King’s story. Visit the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King and his father preached, and pay your respects at the King Center, where Dr. King and Coretta Scott King are laid to rest. Walk along the “Freedom Hall” exhibits, which honor Dr. King’s vision and mission. At the Birth Home Block, stroll past the house where Dr. King was born and raised, imagining the environment that shaped this legendary leader.
The evening concludes with a welcome dinner at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, where you’ll enjoy true Southern comfort food in one of Atlanta’s most cherished establishments, setting the tone for a tour filled with learning, reflection, and inspiration.
Check-in to the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North to rest and relax this evening. Baggage handling is included.
Tonight, gather for a Video Discussion to reflect and share online your experiences today.
After a delicious included breakfast at the hotel, check out and travel to Birmingham, Alabama—a city that became a battleground for Civil Rights.
Upon arrival, start at the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of a tragic 1963 bombing that galvanized the movement and brought international attention to the struggle for racial equality. The Church is a is a World Heritage UNESCO nominated site.
Then, at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, delve into exhibits showcasing the courageous Birmingham Campaign, including powerful displays on segregation, peaceful protest, and historic moments of resistance. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a large interpretive museum and research center.
After lunch on your own at Pizitz Food Hall, an exciting food market featuring diverse cuisines, visit the Bethel Baptist Church, where Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth’s bold leadership inspired many.
Take a walk through Kelly Ingram Park, where sculptures commemorate the struggles of those who faced fire hoses and police dogs in the quest for equality. These images, which shocked the country and the world, proved to be instrumental in overturning legal segregation in the nation. Use this time for rest/reflection and self-exploration.
Afterwards, gather for a Video Discussion to reflect and share online your experiences today.
Visit the Historic Bethel Baptist Church. The church and its parsonage were bombed three times during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, including Christmas Day, 1956. On April 5, 2005, Historic Bethel was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. In 2009, Bethel was nominated by the National Park Service to UNESCO for recognition as a World Heritage Site. A private tour and time to worship has been approved by Dr. Wilder. A delicious, catered dinner will be included at the church after your tour, offering an intimate look at the experiences and challenges that defined the Birmingham community’s fight for justice.
Check-in to the Home2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown and relax for the night.
Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning before checking out and departing.
Today, head to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama and the birthplace of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Begin at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Dr. King served as pastor. A guided tour reveals the church’s pivotal role in the movement and Dr. King’s profound influence on the community.
After lunch on your own, take time to explore Montgomery Street and visit the Rosa Parks Museum, where interactive exhibits and historical artifacts share the story of Rosa Parks’ courageous stand against segregation, an act that ignited the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Continue to the Civil Rights Memorial Center, which honors those who sacrificed for equality and justice, featuring a memorial fountain designed by Maya Lin. Known as the birthplace of the civil rights movement, the city of Montgomery is rich with civil rights history, and no tour of Alabama’s capital would be complete without a visit to the Civil Rights Memorial Center.
End the day with a soul-warming Southern dinner at Martha’s Place, where you’ll hear stories from locals who lived through the movement’s trials and triumphs.
Check-in to the Embassy Suites by Hilton Montgomery Hotel & Conference Center. Baggage handling is included. Before retiring to your rooms, gather for a Video Discussion to reflect and share online your experiences today.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning.
Today is devoted to profound reflection at Montgomery’s Legacy Museum, a groundbreaking institution that traces the harrowing journey from enslavement to the ongoing struggle for justice. Walk through powerful exhibits and see the Equal Justice Initiative’s work to shed light on often-overlooked parts of American history. Your visit includes the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Freedom Sculpture Park, a sacred site dedicated to the memory of victims of racial terror lynchings. Its outdoor sculptures and peaceful setting offer a place for contemplation and reverence. Gather there for a Video Discussion to reflect and share online your experiences.
After lunch on your own at one of the many restaurants at the Legacy Museum, experience music and storytelling at Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church, led by local legend Wanda Battle, whose storytelling vividly conveys the emotional landscape of the movement.
A dinner from Odessa’s Blessing rounds out the day, offering a time to share thoughts and experiences while building camaraderie with your fellow travelers.
Return to your Montgomery hotel for the night.
Enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel this morning prior to checking out and departing.
Today, travel to Selma, Alabama, a city whose name is synonymous with courage and resilience. Arrive at the National Voting Rights Museum, located at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the “Bloody Sunday” march, where peaceful demonstrators were met with violent opposition. Reflect on this defining moment as you cross the bridge in a guided “Footprints to Freedom” experience.
Explore the National Voting Rights Museum, where exhibits commemorate those who fought for the right to vote. Take the Footprints to Freedom Tour- which includes tours of the National Voting Rights Museum and the Slavery and Civil War Museum, a visit to the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church and a walk across Edmund Pettus Bridge. The Brown Chapel AME Church is where marchers gathered and prepared for their historic journey.
Stop for an included special lunch at Lannie’s BBQ, a local favorite, known for its heartwarming flavors and community stories. The original Lannie’s BBQ Spot has been open since 1946 and played a role in the Civil Rights Movement. It was not segregated.
On your way back to Atlanta, stop at the Lowndes Interpretive Center, which chronicles the struggles faced by rural Black communities fighting for voting rights. The center has interactive exhibits that tell the story of the history of the Voting Rights Movement, the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, and the Tent City that housed 20 families over a two year period following the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. While visiting, view the film "Never Lose Sight of Freedom" in the theater.
Celebrate your journey this evening with a Farewell Dinner at Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar, where you’ll receive a “Sacred Ground Certificate,” a keepsake symbolizing the experience and the unforgettable places visited on this tour.
The Sacred Ground Certificate is a prestigious recognition awarded to individuals who have visited the significant Civil Rights locations in Alabama. The certificate indicates that the bearer has immersed themselves in the pivotal history of the Civil Rights Movement, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our society. Through this journey, recipients have explored key sites that witnessed monumental events, honoring the legacy of those who fought for equality and justice. The Sacred Ground Certificate, signed by Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey, celebrates this profound experience and the commitment to preserving and honoring this vital chapter of Alabama and American history.
After an amazing day, check-in to the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North and rest for the night.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the South, each of you carrying home a new understanding of the courage, tenacity, and commitment of those who fought for civil rights.
As you head to the airport, take a moment to reflect on the insights, connections, and inspirations gained along the way. This journey through historic Civil Rights sites leaves a lasting impression, providing a deeper appreciation for the ongoing work toward justice and equality.
