This is the most profound museum I have ever been to and I have been telling everyone that they…read morehave to go here. I had a chance to visit this museum twice this year, the first time to experience it myself and do some recon for planning a group trip, & the second time I hosted a group of about 25 people to visit. Truly a powerful experience. The interactive pieces and number of 1st hand accounts made it impactful. A few tips: -Eat right before going in since you don't want hunger to cut your trip early. I highly recommend eating at the restaurant in the museum which is Pannie-Georgie's. It's great southern food and they have small private rms for groups that worked well for us. -Note there's not many places to sit inside. To get a little break from reading yourself and standing, go check out the films that play in the circular small theaters throughout the museum. -All the museum staff standing around are also resources for you and your group if you are struggling with the content. It's also helpful that you can go in and out and take a breather outside. There's a nice park and a coffee/donut shop kiddie-corner to the museum for a break. The first time I was here, I stayed for about 3.5 hrs and couldn't go through it all since I like to read everything. The second time I was able to take in the art museum pieces that I missed my first time. You'll most likely need to visit this museum at least twice to soak it in. This a must-see museum and I suggest going here first before the sculpture garden and memorial to have more knowledge going into those. It helped me just be and experience the other legacy sites more.

Every American should visit The Legacy Museum. Telling the story of slavery to mass incarceration,…read moreit powerfully tells the most whole story about the Black experience in the U.S.A. Here's our experience. 1) Tickets: Traveling in a group of 22, we easily got our tickets from the staff ahead of time. One QR code worked for our entire group. After going through security that's like airport security, we were inside the museum. 2) Museum: First of all, turn off your phones as no photos of videos are allowed. In a sacred space as this, respect the request. Take your time to read everything and watch every room. If the room is small, each wall duplicates the content to help with the flow. This isn't repeated in the larger rooms. Most rooms have a theater area, which is worth popping in. EJI videos are award-winning and worth your time. One of the strengths of the museum is leading with data. They powerfully show data that moves you toward action. As you end the museum, you'll go through an art gallery. On your way out, buy books in the bookstore to learn more. 3) Experience: It's a sobering museum, but one worth your time. Budget to spend 3-4 hours to take everything in. Afterwards, don't skip the nearby Legacy Park to reflect on what you witnessed and grieve the brutal story of America.

This is the best museum we have seen on our civil rights tour so far. Lots of movie clips…read moreintegrated with the exhibits so sitting alternates with standing and listening and watching alternates with reading. Take the Time machine ride in the children's wing first if you possibly can. And watch for references to all the women leading the movement that we often don't hear about.

The absolute one thing I wanted to do when I found out I was going to be in the Montgomery region…read morewas to come to this museum. My heart broke when I was online looking at the surrounding areas and saw that this was (at that time) temporarily closed. Due to updating of exhibits with new technology. I was a bit down because of this because I have been obsessed with Rosa Parks since high school. I was just going to let it slide until I did a bit more researching while in the city. I went to their website and noticed that they were reopening on MLK Day...the day I was to leave to head back home. I started to hatch a plan to allow me to visit, I couldn't pass it up. With them opening up on MLK Day they were doing a special where you got half off admissions. Not that bad of a deal. There are two portions to this museum, the main exhibit and a children's portion of it. Both cost $7 and when I found out I was going to pay just $7 for both that day, I thought why not. But I will touch on this a bit later. DISCLAIMER: Don't be like me and take pictures, it is not allowed. Let me explain. When I came here I was in a rush, when I came inside I was asked if I was here for the museum or if I was here to use the restroom. They were allowing people gathering for the MLK Day parade outside use the restroom. I said that I was here for the museum. The guy working the host stand hurried me into the museum as a group just went in. Rushing me in since the start of the museum was a video presentation. With that, he did the honor system with me (yet again), told me to pay and opened the door and let me inside. With all the hurry of getting inside, I wasn't given time to read anything of the rules or be given a rundown or the rules. More on this a bit later in the review. Once you enter you are greeted by a replica of the Montgomery City Bus that Rosa Parks stood her ground on. The bus is equipped with video screens that fill in for the windows. This portion of the museum is totally immersive, as you watch the interaction taking place on the bus, hearing the overhead voice to fill in the gaps, watching the actors portraying the events, lights guiding your eyes to parts in the room to keep you in the moment (portions outside of the bus). Also, you will notice that you are on what is supposed to be a street. The street that this historic event takes place, once you figure this out you will notice you are technically standing in front of the theater, near a payphone. But you are immersed into it all that you don't realize it until the lights come up and guide you to the rest of the museum. Once out of this you then go through each and every moment that followed Ms. Parks action. Including MLK's entrance into the movement, the use of personal cars to help people get to work when boycotting the bus (and the targeting of the those given rides), The eventual end of the boycott, the continued progression of the Civil Rights Movement, and so on. All the while educating you. I wish I could have met Ms. Parks in person, this museum brought more information to light for me about her. This should be called a memorial on top of a museum and library. To touch base on the admission. The other portion of this is a children's based interaction and could be skipped by adults in you do not want to take this in. It is an interactive 'ride.' You enter the 'bus' and are driven through history. It is made to be an educational tool to teach children about segregation. The bus is meant to be a time machine that mashes up history a bit by having historical figures 'meet' and educate those on the ride. The bus does move and vibrate and there are flashing lights, it is interesting to experience, but not a must.

There are some places you visit, and then there are places that stay with you. The National…read moreMemorial for Peace and Justice is one of those places. Opened in 2018 by the Equal Justice Initiative, this memorial honors more than 4,400 African American men, women, and children who were victims of racial terror lynchings between 1877 and 1950. It tells a story that is painful, sobering, and absolutely essential to confront. As you enter, the experience is quiet and intentional. Steel rectangular monuments are arranged by state and county, each engraved with the names of victims and the dates they were killed. At first, the columns stand at eye level. You can look directly at the names. But as you continue walking, the ground gradually slopes downward and the columns begin to rise above you. It is impossible not to understand the symbolism. The markers are roughly human-sized. As you descend and look upward, they resemble bodies suspended overhead. That realization hit me deeply. The weight of it -- the scale of it -- settles into your chest. It is heavy. It should be. Along the walls, detailed plaques explain the circumstances behind many of the lynchings. Some victims were murdered by mobs of hundreds or even thousands. Some were killed for reasons so trivial and unjust -- accusations, perceived slights, even something as simple as having a photograph of a white woman. You quickly realize how little it took, and how terrifying daily life must have been for Black Americans living under that constant threat of violence. Near the exit, there is a waterfall installation representing the countless undocumented lynchings -- lives lost that may never be fully known. It is a quiet but powerful reminder that even this memorial cannot capture the entire scope of the tragedy. Outside, each hanging monument is duplicated and laid flat across the grounds. This allows visitors to read each name more closely. I deeply appreciated this thoughtful design choice. Every name is treated with dignity and equality. As you walk among them, you may notice multiple names from the same county on the same date -- entire acts of mob violence frozen in steel. Further along, sculptures and signage from various states and counties acknowledge the history and efforts toward reconciliation. The Equal Justice Initiative encourages each county represented to claim its monument and publicly confront its history. Many have begun to do so. Many still have not. The memorial asks visitors to be respectful and to stay off the grass. There are restrooms available on site. Everything about the space is orderly, intentional, and reverent. This is not an easy place to visit. It is not meant to be. But it is profoundly important. If you are in Montgomery, this is a must-visit. It provides critical context for understanding why the end of slavery, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement were not just historical milestones -- but moral necessities born from immense suffering. I would give this memorial 10 out of 5 stars if I could. Go. Walk slowly. Read the names. Remember.

One of three Legacy Sites (soon to be four with Montgomery Park opening in 2026), this one is a…read moremonument honoring the victims of racial terror lynching between the 1870s and 1950s in the U.S.A. Tickets can be ordered online for a very affordable price. Once inside, walk a mile path taking the time to read every sign and see the names of victims of the racial terror lynchings. Unlike the other two Legacy Sites, you can take photos and videos. Despite this, be respectful. It's sacred ground. After you go through the main monument, the path weaves through a sculpture park as well as duplicate permanent markers honoring the victims of racial terror lynchings across the country. The ticket price is very affordable. If you're moved, consider making a donation to support the work of EJI. They maintain the spaces not because of government grants, but because of the support of the people.

Parking here can be tricky. I was able to find some free street parking. There is metered street…read moreparking available as well within a reasonable walking distance. Outside you will find a waterfall running down a wall that has a quote from Martin Luther King. There is also a large circular black granite water table that has the names of 41 people killed (Martyrs) in the name of the civil rights struggle. It was designed by Maya Lin in 1989. In order to enter here you must have a must, submit to a temperature check and go through security screening. This is one of the few museum in the area that allows photos inside. The Center is very small. The first room that you come to is the The Martyr Room and features 74 people, that are known as "The Forgotten", and the 41 "Civil Rights Martyrs" that are listed on the memorial outside. Sadly, it is an extensive list and has Emmet Till, Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, and other less notable names. The main section of the Center is the Apathy is Not an Option: Orientation Theater. It seats about 75 or so and is very nice. The movie that they play here is on a schedule and the timer is located in the previous room. It tells you when the next showing is. The movie is amazing and is a must see. It is well put together. I really loved it and am glad that I waited for it. The rest of the Center has pictures of people on the walls with phrases and/or personal stories on them It is titled The March Continues: Today's Activist. The Center's last area is the Wall of Justice: A Space of Reflection, a video wall with names falling down. You can put your name on the wall, by agreeing to a pledge. It does not stay there, so if you are going to get a picture of it then you better do it fast. You end you tour in the small gift shop that sells key chains, t-shirt, and pencils/pens, and pictures. It does not take long to make it through the center. I spent about 45 minutes here and that included watching the movie. There is not much to the Center, but is is still worth a visit if you are in the area and have time.

I wouldn't call this a museum. Memorial center, as named, is appropriate…read more It is worthwhile as the staff are super nice and helpful, the film is informative, and it goes over personal accounts of those involved in the civil rights struggle. But that's about all that's here. This isn't in-depth; it took me less than an hour to complete my visit--but it's a good adjunct to the EJI museum and memorial. And near the freedom rides museum. Each museum is only five dollars, so you can see the EJI museum and memorial, the civil rights memorial center, and the freedom rides museum for 15 total dollars. Why not?

So much important history in one small building. Don't skip this museum. Tells the story of the…read moreFreedom Riders. The people who work there are incredibly kind and helpful.

They stood up so that we could sit down…read more Another stable to stop at while visiting Alabama. The Freedom Riders Museum has a lot of information on the Freedom riders. They tell the story through the words of the freedom riders during the civil rights movements. You learn about the routes they took and all the obstacles they had to put up with. The museum also has a lot of good books on sale and My friend And I purchased some. The only thing I wished was the museum was bigger and had more things to view. Until next review Kisses

So much history is simply demolished. Some cities, like Montgomery, have sites such as these that…read morereassemble these otherwise forgotten bits of bygone days. It's fun to ramble through these old buildings that are all quite well-preserved. If you have children, multiply the time you spend here by two or three or four.

January 12, 2013, Tony and I did a self guided walking tour of Montgomery, Al. We had a great day…read more The weather was warm and lovely. We happened upon this 6 block historical section of old homes in Montgomery, Al. There are new homes here. Here is a brief history of the buildings: Tour the Authentic 19th Century Village Today There are no facades or newly constructed buildings here! Our 19th century village features completely authentic 19th and early 20th century homes and buildings that have been saved from demolition, carefully restored, and reopened to the public as a history museum. At Old Alabama Town, you will learn how early Americans of all backgrounds lived and worked in Central Alabama. History lives at Old Alabama Town, where six blocks of authentically restored 19th and early 20th century structures beckon you to step back in time to the days of one-room... Self-Guided Tours We offer self-guided tours Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last ticket is sold at 3 p.m., though visitors are free to explore until 4 p.m. Upon purchasing admission at the Old Alabama Town Reception Center, guests will receive a property map to guide them on their walking tour of our Living and Working Blocks. Visitors are free to explore at their own pace and leave and return throughout the day. Costumed interpreters are available on each block to answer questions. A fully guided tour of the Ordeman House is also included in general admission. Tours of the Ordeman House are available Monday-Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Ordeman tour times are subject to change without notice. Call 1-888-240-1850 on the day of your visit to confirm times.

This is a cute place that is very fun for small children. It is educational and also interactive…read more It is worth visiting. I have been twice and the people working there have always been very nice and friendly. One thing to keep in mind is that it is pretty small, so I would combine it with checking out some other sites or museums in the city.

Not a museum, it's the Alabama Cattlemen's Association's public outreach. Like an interactive…read moreadvertisement for the ACA and why we should all eat beef. That said, it's fine. It's free. I'm not sure I learned anything about cows, but I learned a fair amount about the ACA. I learned that every breed of cow has their own association. Angus cows have the American Angus Association, but the AAA doesn't like red cows, so red Angus cows are protected (promoted? recognized?) by the Red Angus Association. If that sounds good, cool. It's easy & free. It just isn't really a museum about cows.

If you're a Fitzgerald fan, this museum is a must-visit when in Montgomery. Visiting the area on a…read moreweekend, it's also one of the only places in the city open on Sundays. Admission is $5 and no need to reserve online. Walk in and the woman who leads the house museum gives an overview of Scott and Zelda and the house. The house itself has a few rooms with lots of artifacts from the authors. There also an art room of Zelda's work and one dedicated to Scottie, their only daughter. The top floor has two Airbnb rooms- one called Zelda and one Scott.

Really cool museum and historical location. I came here to do a paranormal investigation with…read moreSouthern Ghost Girls on 6 June 25. It was a fantastic event. We got a lot of time to explore the museum and had some cool things happen that make me believe the location is in fact haunted. You can rent the bedroom suites on the second floor as air bnb. I think that's pretty cool too!

This was a true gem! We thoroughly enjoyed touring this beautiful home and chatting with one of the…read morecurators. The furnishings are beautiful and appropriate to the period. We were stunned to learn that the house was moved to its current location in 1921!!!

I don't really have much to say about this place as I didn't have time to go inside and do a tour…read more I only got to see this from the outside and take in some history that I wasn't expecting and honestly, was not something that existed. Earlier the day before we drove past this on a bus and our driver pointed it out to us. Our driver was more informative than anyone else I met in Montgomery. He was the one that informed us all that this is not where this house was originally and that it was moved to the current location. I honestly did learn something while visiting. I always thought the capital of the Confederacy was in Richmond, VA. I never knew that the first capital was in Montgomery. Almost like it was something not taught. The house was beautiful, even with all its baggage that comes with it. Well maintained and preserved. History, whether you want to acknowledge it or not, is still part of the fabric of time.

I had visited the museum and memorial when they first opened and was blown away then. Now, the team…read morehas really built up a learning and honoring enterprise that everyone should visit. The sculpture garden and the boat ride to it are beautifully organized and provide space for reflection and learning at your own pace. Relying on the shuttles is your best bet to not have to back track. Make sure you know the shuttle schedule and routes ahead of time, though, so you don't get too delayed.

Traveling the world, I've been to a sculpture park or two, but none as powerful as the Freedom…read moreMonument Park. Located along the Alabama River on land that was stolen from indigenous peoples and later used to enslave people, the park is sacred. Here's our experience. 1) Tickets: Our group got tickets to all three Legacy Sites online. All three tickets cost around $5 per person, an affordable place to make the sites accessible. Shuttles are offered between the three. We took the boat from the boat ramp to Freedom Monument Park, which takes around 15 minutes with a narrative playing about Montgomery as you sail through the water. 2) Experience: Turn off your phone (you can only take photos of the very first sculpture, National Monument to Freedom, and the reflection waterfall) and take your time. Plan to spend at least an hour if not two to read every plaque and gaze at the powerful art, large and small, along the path. To start, the path walks through the story of Indigenous peoples who were victim to oppression. It then transitions into the Black story in the U.S.A. with art, old slave quarters, and more. Some you can walk inside. Others you see from the distance. At the end, there's a giant monument listing the surnames of over 100,000 people included in the first census after emancipation. On either side of the monument are bowls of flowers to lay in the little stream in front of the grand monument. Afterwards, go inside the small center to use the restrooms, get water, or dive deeper into what you just witnessed.