10 of the Top Tours to Pay Homage to Martin Luther King Jr. According to Viator Travelers

You’ll get so much more from viewing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial by going as part of a tour group than you would going alone. This Washington DC tour takes you on a journey through Black history in the US, covering everything from the first African Americans in Jamestown to the Civil Rights Movement. See the major historic sites in roughly half a day and enjoy reserved entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where you’ll be able to explore at your own pace.

What one reviewer said: “This tour is a must for anyone who really wants to understand the history of DC as well as the African Americans that are honored here. Our tour guide [had] a wealth of knowledge.” Nancy_m, September 2025

No discussion of civil rights history in the US is complete without including Memphis, Tennessee. It’s the city where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, and it’s also home to Beale Street and the National Civil Rights Museum.

If you want a sightseeing tour through the lens of African American history, this private option covers essential landmarks, including the Mason Temple where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his last speech, the day before his assassination. Learn about the state’s history from slavery to the present day, and ask your private guide as many questions as you like.

What one reviewer said: “I have been to a few other tours/museums (Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, Memphis, NOLA) so I was familiar with a lot of the history already but I learned so much more than I expected. [...] The history, the connection to current events, the incorporation of personal anecdotes—all of it! I would absolutely take this tour again and recommend others to do it too.” Politikchik, April 2025

If you’re seeking a broader overview of Memphis that also incorporates elements from civil rights history tours, this group option offers a great introduction to the city. In addition to covering downtown Memphis’ highlights, the tour also stops at I AM A MAN Plaza, which is a tribute to the Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike in 1968 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. You can also choose a tour option that includes free time to explore the National Civil Rights Museum.

What one reviewer said: “Very educational trip, with great sights and wonderful guides and drivers—I learned things I never knew.” Timothy_L, October 2025

Covering blues, Southern soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, this music-focused tour in Memphis is a worthy addition to any Southern US civil rights travel itinerary. You won’t just learn about Memphis’ musical heritage—you’ll also listen to professional Beale Street musicians and live music.

This tour may not honor MLK directly, but it offers a look at another side of the Civil Rights Movement: Some of these songs, especially from artists under the legendary Stax Records label, tie into the Civil Rights Movement and were intertwined with the fight for equality.

What one reviewer said: “Great tour, especially [thanks to] our talented musician guide and wonderful driver. [...] The tour ended near the Lorraine Motel where we learned that Martin Luther King's last words to a musician friend were for him to play ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ moments before he was assassinated.” Warner_H, November 2025

Montgomery is another major city in American civil rights history, particularly for its roles in the Selma to Montgomery March and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. If tour groups aren’t your thing, this self-guided walking tour is a great alternative that maps out the major stops and provides historical context that you can digest at your own pace.

Walk along part of the Montgomery march route, see where Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving her bus seat to a white passenger, and stop by the steps where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “How Long, Not Long” speech.

What one reviewer said: “Really straightforward way of doing a walking tour at a time that suits you, and at a pace that suits as well. Easy to set up and follow [...] and good audio quality. Content was excellent as well! Recommended.” Karen_S, September 2025

As the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta is full of American civil rights history. This small-group driving tour offers a comprehensive guide to it all, taking you to plantations and museums dedicated to the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement.

Visit the birthplace and memorial tomb of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was a pastor. Plus, navigate the King Center more efficiently with your guide as you learn about the Civil Rights Movement.

What one reviewer said: “A true Atlanta MUST! Henry was an amazing tour guide as we traveled [through] the history of the south [through] the eyes of a slave. I would highly suggest this tour to history buffs from all over the world!” Paula_P, September 2025

If you want to go beyond Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about Black history more broadly in Atlanta, this cultural history tour is a great option. Cover key neighborhoods such as Sweet Auburn, as well as Civil Rights Movement landmarks including Martin Luther King Jr.’s home and church.

Atlanta is also home to several historically Black colleges and universities, which you’ll pass by during the tour, while learning about more contemporary Black culture during stops at Tyler Perry Studios and the original house where Perry filmed the popular Madea franchise.

What one reviewer said: “Jeff made learning fun. He provided a lot of historical information [and] his jokes, information about restaurants, and helpfulness [in] taking pictures as a solo traveler was a bonus. 10/10 I would book this tour again!” Christopher_h, October 2025

If you prefer to see Atlanta on foot, this walking tour explores Sweet Auburn, a historically African American neighborhood closely tied to the Civil Rights Movement. Learn about Martin Luther King Jr. from many angles as you see where he worked and lived.

Stops include Ebenezer Baptist Church, the King Center, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. You'll also hear about the lives of other prominent civil rights leaders as you walk along the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

What one reviewer said: “This MLK walking tour is something I’ve been wanting to do ever since I moved to Atlanta earlier this year and it didn’t disappoint. [...] A very special tour and we deeply enjoyed it. There were a lot of laughs too.” Josh_S, November 2025

In the 1920s, Harlem in New York City became a hub for Black culture, an era dubbed the Harlem Renaissance. The artists, intellectuals, and work that came out of this period would go on to influence the Civil Rights Movement.

This walking tour takes you through Harlem’s rich history and covers its major figures, including Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Malcolm X. While you’re in the neighborhood, you can also drop by The Studio Museum in Harlem, which is dedicated to African-American art.

What one reviewer said: “Mr. Harlem is a terrific guide. He has [a] deep understanding of the history and culture of Harlem. Don’t expect a typical dry guided tour experience. This man is a storyteller.” Arjun_S, April 2025

As the birthplace of jazz music, New Orleans is an essential inclusion on any historic Black heritage travel guide. This guided tour offers a great overview of the city’s vibrant culture and Creole traditions, and includes a visit to Tremé, one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in America.

Learn about how enslaved people used to gather in Congo Square and how this influenced the development of jazz as a music genre. Just make sure to leave time for a visit to the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum, too.

What one reviewer said: “This trip was one for the books. A highlight of our trip was meeting Leona Tate, who was a civil rights trailblazer.” Mikala_D, September 2025