Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site

If you are ever in Atlanta, this site is a must see for the whole family. The location is a conglomeration of different sites devoted to the great civil rights leader. The Visitor Center has a fantastic exhibit, there is a Civil Rights Walk of Fame, a tribute to Gandhi and his influence ion King, a historical district, the King birth home, the King Center, and the resting place of Dr. and Mrs. King.

I was fortunate to have a short personal tour with a park ranger, who pointed out some of the more important details about the area. Sweet Auburn was a thriving black community when King lived there, and it helped formulate a vision of success for African Americans in King's mind. the Ranger discussed the impact of the Ebeneezer Baptist Church on King's life, as it was a focal point of his younger years and his early adulthood. The tour of the birth home was fantastic. I learned a few pearls - MLK liked baseball and Monopoly, he hated doing the dishes, and there is nothing in the house that would give anyone a inkling that he would become such a hero to so many, The ranger put it perfectly - anyone can be great if you make the right choices and help others.

The resting place is also a beautiful site, surrounded by a reflecting pool. I found myself comparing it to the reflecting pool by the Lincoln Memorial and making obvious connections to the I Have a dream speech.

Overall, the visit was informative, emotional, and a great start to the trip.