Things To Do Near Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Start your visit to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park at the visitor center. Then, take the ranger-led tour of the home where he spent his first 12 years. During your visit to the area, be sure to explore Fire Station No. 6 and hear about how the Atlanta Fire Department went from an all-volunteer force to an integrated force with modern equipment. Take a self-guided tour of Ebenezer Church, and see the graves where Dr. and Mrs. King are buried. Finally, visit the Freedom Center featuring African and Georgian artwork and displays honoring the lives of the Kings, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rosa Parks.
Hiking Trails
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Arabia Mountain Top Hike
Start this hike off Stonecrest’s Klondike Road through the granite pockets, which are especially pretty in the springtime when the wildflowers are in bloom. This trail starts by going east for about 0.5 miles and then starts climbing up the side of the mountain. Once you reach the summit, you can enjoy the stunning views of the entire area.
Location
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, 3350 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, Georgia 30038
Length
1.3 miles
Intensity
Easy
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Sawnee Mountain Indian Seat Trail
Start this hike at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center. This trail runs through several wide switchbacks south of Sawnee Mountain and passes an old gated gold mine entrance. Before reaching the mountain's summit, you can see the natural seats carved into the granite that Native Americans used as lookout points. This trail loops around to cross the southern visitor center and another mine entrance before arriving back at its starting point.
Location
Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitors Center, 4075 Spot Road, Cumming, Georgia 30040
Length
4 miles
Intensity
Easy
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Sweetwater Creek Red Trail
Start this trail near the Sweetwater Creek State Park’s Interpretative Center. After meandering through wide switchbacks and a fern-filled deciduous forest, it turns and follows the river downstream until it reaches the historic New Manchester Mill. Walk down the stairs near the mill to reach Sweetwater Creek. Cross the bridge and climb to the top of the bluff for stunning views before hiking the trail back.
Location
Sweetwater Creek State Park Interpretative Center, 1750 Mt. Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, Georgia 30122
Length
2.3 miles
Intensity
Moderate
Sightseeing
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Even if the Atlanta Falcons or the Atlanta United Football Club is not playing at home, consider taking a tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. See the world’s largest statue of a falcon. Experience playing on the field and view the impressive art collection at the stadium.
Location
125 Ted Turner Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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Atlanta Motor Speedway
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Atlanta Motor Speedway, which is used for Monster Energy and NASCAR Cup Series races. See the garage and the victory lane, and take a van ride around the track.
Location
1500 Tara Place, Hampton, Georgia 30228
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Truist Park at The Battery Atlanta
Catch the excitement of the Atlanta Braves playing at Truist Park at the Battery Atlanta. If that is not possible, take a behind-the-scenes tour to see the field, press box, and seating areas.
Location
755 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Museums
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Atlanta History Museum Buckhead Campus
Spread across 33 acres, Atlanta History Museum’s Buckhead Campus is a great place to see historic homes and gardens. At least four gardens date back more than 100 years. See the Smith cabin, which was surrounded by cotton fields when it was in use.
Location
130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
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Margaret Mitchell House and Museum
Margaret Mitchell wrote most of "Gone with the Wind" while living in this house. Take the guided tour and explore various issues raised by the film and the book. Special programming is often offered at this venue.
Location
979 Crescent Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309
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Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Take in a show at the IMAX theater at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Then, browse the wide assortment of taxidermied animals on display.
Location
767 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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The Odds End
Find an unusual assortment of merchandise, including monkey skulls, odd surgical tools, and embalming machines, at The Odds End. The inventory is constantly changing, so come back to this store often.
Location
2774 E. College Ave., Decatur, Georgia 30030
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Rainy Day Revival Oddities & Prop Rental
Select from a wide assortment of natural history items, vintage figurines, antique toys, medical equipment, and art at Rainy Day Revival. The selection changes frequently.
Location
3870 N. Peachtree Road Suite C, Chamblee, Georgia 30341
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Atkins Park Restaurant
The oldest continually licensed bar in Atlanta is Atkins Park Restaurant. Find fresh seafood, outstanding steaks, and other delicious specialties on the menu. They also do a fabulous weekend buffet.
Location
794 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306
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Busy Bee Café
Start your meal at the Busy Bee Café with some fresh vegetables or baked macaroni and cheese. Chicken and waffles, barbeque, center-cut pork chops, and other soul food favorites are on the menu. Be sure to leave room for banana pudding or sweet potato pie at this restaurant that has been serving customers since 1947.
Location
810 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30314