Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta preserves places where King was born, lived, worked, worshipped and is buried. From Forest Park, you can plan a city outing around the park’s historic district, with free entry and several ways to reach the area.
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia.
- Distance from a Forest Park-area hotel: about 12.2 miles from a hotel in Forest Park.
- Admission: free; no entrance fee or pass is required.
- Regular access: facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
What does Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park include?
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park brings together Atlanta sites associated with King’s life and legacy. The National Park Service established the site in 1980, preserving places connected to his birth, home life, work, worship and burial.
Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church is one of the park’s central sites. Freedom Hall is another place to include as you plan your time in the district. Together, these sites give a visit a clear shape: start with the places themselves, then make time for the ranger programs that add context.
The park observes the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday on the third Monday in January and may offer special programs. Its annual observance around the April 4–9 assassination anniversary may also include programs.
How do you get between the historic sites?
The park’s historic sites are in an Atlanta district that you can explore on foot, while transit can bring you into the area.
If you drive, allow flexibility: the National Park Service warns that Atlanta traffic can turn a drive that would otherwise take 15 minutes into one lasting well over an hour because of road work, accidents or special events.
For public transportation, MARTA bus routes 3, Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr./Auburn Ave., and 99, Boulevard/Monroe Dr., serve the area. The Atlanta Streetcar also stops at the park; there is no direct train service to it. Check which route best fits your starting point before setting out.
If you are driving, free public visitor parking is at 423 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312. From the lot, the National Park Service describes the walk as crossing Irwin Street and continuing down the Promenade to the visitor center.
What can you see at the visitor center and ranger programs?
Ranger programs offer a way to learn more about the park’s historic places while you are there. Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church has daily ranger-led “Church Talks”; check the park calendar for current times before planning around one.
The park also offers ranger-led Birth Home presentations in the bookstore next door, multiple times each day. These presentations normally take about 30 minutes. They are free, but you must reserve in person on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis; advance and phone reservations are not accepted.
The National Park Service normally schedules them at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., but directs visitors to the park calendar for current times.
Access features include designated accessible parking spaces near the visitor center entrance and a paved parking lot. At Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, a portable metal ramp provides access to the Narthex, and a wheelchair lift serves the Heritage Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.
What should you know before visiting?
Park facilities are generally open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with closures on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours and access can change, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
A wheelchair is available to borrow free at the visitor information desk on a first-come, first-served basis; it must be returned 30 minutes before closing. Free public Wi-Fi is available only at the Visitor Center.
How do you get to the park from Forest Park?
From Forest Park, you can reach the central Atlanta historic district by car or public transit. The park’s MARTA bus routes and Atlanta Streetcar connection provide transit options, while the visitor parking lot gives drivers a place to start on foot. Atlanta traffic can vary considerably, so leave room in your schedule if you are driving.
For a broader day in the city, you can pair the park with other stops in this one-day Atlanta itinerary from Forest Park.
FAQs
Is Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park free?
Yes. The park is fee-free year-round, and you do not need an entrance fee or pass.
Does the park have direct train service?
No. MARTA bus routes 3 and 99 serve the area, and the Atlanta Streetcar stops at the park.
When are special programs offered?
The park may offer programs for the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday on the third Monday in January and for its annual April 4–9 assassination-anniversary observance.