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The Civil Rights Trail: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 3-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.

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3
days
470 km
distance
9.8 h
driving
15
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Atlanta

3 curated stops
Transit
3h44
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
11.5°C–23.8°C
Rainy days
~16
Daylight
12.8h
09:00
The World of Coca-Cola worldofcoca-cola.com read more map ↗
Savor the history and flavors of the world's most famous soft drink brand.
90 min · Atlanta · $16 (adult); $14 (senior); $12 (ages 3-12); under 3 free and admission includes access to all exhibits and a commemorative Coke bottle. Booking online saves $1 …
open: M-Sa 9AM-5PM (9AM-6PM during Summer), Su 11AM-5PM
10:40
Georgia Institute of Technology gatech.edu read more map ↗
Enjoy sports events or arts shows on the Georgia Tech campus.
90 min · Atlanta
12:30
Emory University emory.edu read more map ↗
Stroll English Renaissance Lullwater House and Candler Lake.
50 min · Atlanta
13:20
Flying Biscuit Cafe flyingbiscuit.com map ↗
Indulge in breakfast classics, including kosher and vegetarian options.
60 min · Atlanta
open: Opens at 7AM
Overnight: Montgomery
e.g. Sonesta ES Suites Montgomery · Comfort Suites Montgomery
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Selma

6 curated stops
Transit
3h00
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
11.4°C–24.0°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
12.8h
10:10
Edmund Pettus Bridge read more map ↗
Stand on a historic bridge pivotal to civil rights history.
50 min · Selma
11:10
National Voting Rights Museum and Institute nvrmi.com read more map ↗
Learn about the civil rights movement at the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute.
50 min · Selma
open: M-Th 10AM-4PM; F-Su : by appointment only
12:10
Vaughan Smitherman Museum selma-al.gov read more map ↗
Discover a restored antebellum home with a hospital history.
50 min · Selma
open: Tu-Sa 9am-4pm
13:10
Sturdivant Hall Museum facebook.com map ↗
Tour an elegant Greek Revival mansion from the antebellum era.
50 min · Selma
open: Tu-Sa 10am-4pm, closed Su-M
14:50
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park cahawba.com map ↗
Explore a rustic, ghost-town-like former state capital.
50 min · Selma
open: Th-M 10am-5pm, closed Tu and W
16:30
Brown Chapel AME Church nps.gov map ↗
Visit a key site where pivotal civil rights meetings began.
50 min · Selma
Overnight here
e.g. St. James Hotel · Hampton Inn Selma
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Birmingham

5 curated stops
Transit
3h03
Finish
~17:05
Temperature
10.5°C–23.0°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
12.8h
11:20
Birmingham Museum of Art artsbma.org read more map ↗
Appreciate diverse global art, from ancient to contemporary.
50 min · Birmingham · Free
open: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM
12:20
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame ashof.org read more map ↗
Discover the state's rich athletic past through extensive memorabilia.
50 min · Birmingham · Adults $5, seniors 60+ $4, students $3
open: M-Sa 9AM-5PM
13:20
16th Street Baptist Church read more map ↗
Stand in the solemn space where history unfolded during the civil rights movement in 1963.
50 min · Birmingham
14:20
Legion Field read more map ↗
Feel the history and excitement of this iconic multi-purpose stadium.
90 min · Birmingham
16:15
Birmingham Zoo birminghamzoo.com read more map ↗
Encounter over 750 animals, from big cats to reptiles.
50 min · Birmingham · General $11, children 2-12 & seniors 65+ free
open: Labor Day-Memorial Day: daily 9AM-5PM; Memorial Day-Labor Day: M W-Th 9AM-5PM, Tu F-Su 9AM-7PM

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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