Birth Home Tour

The only guided tour is of Dr. King's Birth Home. All other facilities such as Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. King's Gravesite, Freedom Hall, Fire Station No. 6, and the Visitor Center are self-guided.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born January 15, 1929 at 501 Auburn Avenue, the home of his maternal grandparents. For the next twelve years he lived here with his grandparents, parents, siblings, other family members and boarders.

Visiting the home where Dr. King was born and lived the first twelve years of his life is often the exhibit of ones visit to the national historic site. Unfortunately trying to visit the Birth Home can also be the biggest let down if you can't get on a tour. By following the instructions below and when a little luck you may get on a tour of the home on your first visit to the site.

The ranger led tour is free and lasts approximately 30 minutes during which time you will learn about the life of a young M. L. King. The home is open for tours on a daily basis, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, with the first tour at 10:00 am and the last tour beginning at 5:00 p.m. The tours begin every hour on the hour and are limited to 15 people per tour. During June-August tours are conducted every half- hour beginning with the first tour at 9:30 a.m. and ending with the last tour at 5:30 p.m.

The tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the tour. No advanced registration or phone reservations are accepted. Upon arriving at the national historic site you should first proceed to the Visitor Center at 450 Auburn Avenue, to sign up for a tour. Before signing up for your tour you will be advised as to when the time of the next available tour. You may sign-up for that tour or any later tour that may be open. If there is an available tour you will be issued tickets and instructed on where to meet the park ranger conducting the tour. Once you are signed up feel free to visit the rest of the national historic site while waiting for your tour.

Groups (school, family reunion, youth, etc.) are limited to signing up for only 3 tour times per day for a total of 45 people. After signing up a group, the group leader is responsible dividing up the group and seeing that the people arrive for their tour on time.

Birth Home Tickets

In order to preserve the Birth Home to ensure that it is available to future generations, visitation is limited. A timed and dated ticket system is in place, which frees visitors from waiting in line and allows them to see more of the National Historic Site.

Who needs a ticket?

All visitors who want a tour of Dr. King's Birth Home MUST have a ticket.

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are FREE.

How often are the tours?

Tours of Dr. King's Birth Home are typically every hour from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Between June 15 and August 15 tours are conducted on the half-hour from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Can I make reservations?

No, all tickets are issued on first come, first served basis the day of the tour.

Where do I get a ticket?

Visitors may pick up tickets at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

Are exceptions made for large groups?

No. Tickets are always issued on first come, first served basis. However, group leaders may get up to 45 tickets (3 tours) on the day of the tour.

Tips on Visiting the Birth Home

• Visit early in the day.
  
• Be prepared to wait several hours for the next available tour.
  
• Visit early in the week or Sunday morning.