What a wonderful (yet deep) experience. I stopped in on my way to Orange Beach. I only had one…read morehour, so I was skating through. But the first 5 minutes in, left a lasting impression. A story I have heard before, displayed in a total different manner. When I left the museum, I felt sad that I didn't allot time for the full experience. I went on to my beach destination, but all I could think about was the Legacy museum. So Friday, I checked out and headed back! I visited all the monuments and took the short ferry ride. I also stayed in the ELEVATION HOTEL which was filled with history and very modern at the same time. I suggest you add Montgomery to your places to visit list. 10 out of 10, would highly recommend!

We visited the Legacy Museum on Jan 8, 2026 as part of Road Scholar's "The Civil Rights Movement -…read moreAtlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham" program. It is one of the three Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy sites in Montgomery, AL, and one of the two where photography is not allowed. The latter was emphasized at the security checkpoint, of which there was only one line. I surrendered my foldable (smartphone) tripod to the staff, and would later do it two more times at the other two sites. Within the exhibition halls, staff members are positioned every 100 feet (give or take) to ensure visitors are on their best behaviors, i.e. no photography, no vandalism, etc. The transatlantic slave trade is the subject of the first two halls, with the first focusing on the transits of the captured from Africa. Sets of pictorial, written and video content fill every wall. There is no particular order of viewing. The next hall continues with the arrival, transactions and transits from ports to new colonies in the New World. Life-sized models of slaves naked and in chains act as passageway that visitors pass to move on. Despite being previously informed, I did not understand the sheer volume of the museum's content. I stopped to read every content in detail because of the no-photography policy. By the time I was done perusing the transatlantic slave trade, more than 30 minutes had passed. One section consists of small rooms designed to look like prison cells, each showing a brief holographic projection of a moment in the life of a slave. These projections are triggered by motion sensors. Another hall focuses on federal and state court decisions - most of them ruling against African-Americans - as well as numerous hate crimes and other (violent) racial injustices, all of which that had occurred since Reconstruction. Past that is a larger hall that displays copies of newspaper ads of slaves for sale on one side, and life during Reconstruction on the other. I had started to peruse the latter when I realized that I was approaching two hours in time spent in the museum. Deciding to head on to the other two sites, I was surprised to discover many more sections - including an art gallery - and the volume of content in each that I would miss. The Legacy Museum requires up to a day to truly appreciate its treasure. It is certainly worth visiting given its low admission price ($5 as of Jan 2026). However, I do not give this 5 stars because of the unnecessary security checkpoint to do the boat ride from Boat Launch at 101 Morris Street to Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, and vice versa. See attached image for further details At 12:56pm, after visiting the National Memorial for Peace and Justice (NMPJ), I showed up at Boat Launch. There was a security checkpoint. I was told to turn over my tripod before getting on the boat. The big, burly bespectacled guy in the suit claimed that tripods could be used to vandalize the sculptures, and I could take the boat back and to this pier to get it back. He gave no explanation as to how a tripod would be a hazardous or dangerous object on a boat ride itself. The Sculpture Park has its own security checkpoint where I would turn over the tripod, and I wasn't planning on coming back to this pier just to pick up my tripod. It would be a waste of time. So I waited for the shuttle to take me back to the Legacy Museum after stopping over at NMPJ. When I finally arrived at Sculpture Park, 45 minutes of my time was wasted. This limited the time spent there. There was no necessity to have security checkpoint at Boat Launch when Sculpture Park has its own security checkpoint. Until EJI Legacy updates their policy to one that makes sense, this EJI site gets no more than three stars.

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.

Save yourself the money and read about her on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Parks…read more The security guard was very friendly and helpful. The Front Desk lady was nice but the lady in the gift shop was extremely rude. She was short in her replies and disrespectful as a whole. *The museum was also a letdown. There are virtually no artifacts and it's basically just a bunch of reading. There is a cool movie reenactment bus exhibit. But beyond that it was pretty boring. I'd recommend to the museum operators that the three TVs in the first room should all be synced together. It's very distracting having to look between the 3. I won't be coming back or recommending this to anyone. Also, the actual bus is apparently in Detroit.

Oh my gosh!! This musuem and all it offers needs to be seen by everyone! It is beautifully curated…read moreinto 4 Legacy sites. Transportation on a air conditioned shuttle takes you to any of the 4 Legacy sites. Each site is unique to sharing the history, painful as it can be to remember, of lynching, slavery, and the fight to freedom. The museum is indoors and I spent 2 hrs and only got through 1/4 of the museum. I explored the lynching memorial site which is outdoors and provides a wealth of information on slaves lynched in America. They also offered a boat ride to an outdoor Freedom park with thoughtfully crafted pieces of art, breathtaking monuments and historical artifacts. I did not have time to visit the last Legacy site before it closed but I now have a reason to go back! It was a park dedicated to Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Not only was I taken aback from the detail placed into each Legacy site but to know they only charge $5 for all of it. On top of the fact that they provide motorized vehicles for those in need. This is hands down the best history musuem I have encountered. I suggest everyone visit! The staff is very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about it all. They showed great pride in what has been created here.

We visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice (NMPJ) on Jan 8, 2026 as part of Road…read moreScholar's "The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham" program. It is one of the three Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy sites in Montgomery, AL, and the only one where photography is allowed. Like with the other two sites, security checkpoint is present and I surrendered my foldable (smartphone) tripod. While the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park has a collection of artwork in a park setting, the entire area of the NMPJ can be seen as a single artwork of many sections, like the long wall mural in Dexter Ave Baptist Church (also in Montgomery; within walking distance from the Legacy Museum). The first section of NMPJ is a large grassy area bordered by walkways, wall-mounted written content on the subject of "from slavery to lynching". and the Nkyinkyim Installation sculpture. I don't know if picnics or napping on the grassy area is allowed. I didn't ask. Walking from this area to the next section took time. The next section, being the memorial temple, is the highlight of NMPJ. An open structure that houses numerous tall tablets resembling coffins. Each tablet bears the names of county and state, followed by the names of lynching victims and their respective dates of death. Initially, the tablets look like they are resting on the floor. At the center of the temple is a grassy square accessible from multiple points. Standing at the center of the square, the visitor can see the sheer masses of deaths memorialized within the temple. (Photos and footages are found on my YouTube channel @1Somber. Look for video title "Day 5: National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Freedom Monument Sculpture Park" in playlist "2026-1: The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham".) At one end of the structure, the path turns right to a corridor that slopes down. I then realized that the tablets are hanging from the ceiling. When the corridor reaches the bottom level, the tables are hanging over my head. Mounted on opposite walls are panels, each mentions the known "justification" for the victim's death. Why only the bottommost area of the panel is used is a mystery. I hope in time more names will be added to these panels. The final wall has an inscription draped by a waterfall states that the "victims of racial terror lynchings... whose deaths cannot be documented... whose names will never be known... are all honored here." Leaving memorial temple, I came to Monument Park. In this area, the tablets take on the shape and size of coffins, and lay on the ground rows after rows on the left and the right of the walkway. Like the tablets at the memorial temple, each bears the names of county and state, followed by the names of lynching victims and their respective dates of death. After Monument Park comes the "Guided By Justice" sculpture, and then Community Park. Tablets shaped like signposts line up in a single file to one side, and act as shoulders for the visitor walkway. Each has written details of specific lynchings. I followed these "signposts" and arrived at the "Arise" sculpture. The path then leads back to starting point. Visitors can either go for another round or leave. Our tour guide said that a visit at the NMPJ can be done in 45 minutes. I say, "Take all the time you want." The patrolling staff is sparse and there's no hurry. The $5 admission price covers all three EJI sites. Although I appreciated the NMPJ, particularly capturing a considerable amount of photos and footages, I do not give this place 5 stars because of the unnecessary security checkpoint to do the boat ride from Boat Launch at 101 Morris Street to Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, and vice versa. See attached image for further details. At 12:56pm, after visiting the National Memorial for Peace and Justice (NMPJ), I showed up at Boat Launch. There was a security checkpoint. I was told to turn over my tripod before getting on the boat. The big, burly bespectacled guy in the suit claimed that tripods could be used to vandalize the sculptures, and I could take the boat back and to this pier to get it back. He gave no explanation as to how a tripod would be a hazardous or dangerous object on a boat ride itself. The Sculpture Park has its own security checkpoint where I would turn over the tripod, and I wasn't planning on coming back to this pier just to pick up my tripod. It would be a waste of time. So I waited for the shuttle to take me back to the Legacy Museum after stopping over at NMPJ. When I finally arrived at Sculpture Park, 45 minutes of my time was wasted. This limited the time spent there. There was no necessity to have security checkpoint at Boat Launch when Sculpture Park has its own security checkpoint. Until EJI Legacy updates their policy to one that makes sense, this EJI site gets no more than three stars.

Take your time and read everything you see here. Learn why some of us make an uproar about…read moreinequality and our country's substandard justice system. Understand why Kap took a knee. Realize that this country belongs to everyone and not just the elite. This country has no place for hate and places like this help teach that, but only if you're willing to listen/read and learn. Anji was seated at the cashier's desk at the end of my tour. She is so friendly! She made a great final impression on a tour that had already made a significant mark on my soul. I'm so glad I visited this place. Kudos to you, SPLC.

We visited the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, AL on Jan 7, 2026 as part of Road…read moreScholar's "The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham" program. As the name indicates, it's a memorial and not a true museum. Tickets were covered by our program. We spent less than an hour here, in part because we got two other similarly small museums to visit in our day's itinerary. At the entrance of the Center is a security screening. We were directed to line up in rows. The security guard was friendly. He nicknamed me "Big T" since my name started with "T". I replied, "I wish I was big." To which he went, "Me too," and we both laughed. Row by row, we went up to the counter to surrender our personal items prior to the screening. The guard allowed me to keep my belt on even though the buckle is metal. Then each of us went through the screening. No issues encountered. We were then joined by a museum guide. The first section is the Martyr Room, dedicated to the 40 that were killed during the Civil Rights Movement. Collage of photos and individual profiles positioned at eye level filled every wall. There is a console in the middle of the room for visitors to learn more. A short while later, we were led to the Orientation Theater where we watched a short film called "Apathy is not an Option". It started with a highlight reel of the Movement and connects it to contemporary events of social justice. After that, we continued on to "The March Continues", a hallway of murals depicting contemporary social justice. The end of the hallway leads the "Wall of Justice" room. On one wall is a large, wide screen with names of people involved in civil rights through the ages, set to a photo of - presumably - the Selma March. By the opposite wall are inscribed quotations from historical figures, including one from Robert Kennedy (Sr.) during a trip in Cape Town, South Africa in 1966. The best was saved for last. We arrived at the Memorial table to see water literally flowing down onto its surface where the names of the 40 are etched. The artwork is indeed magnificent. Footage is in the video "Day 4 & Day 5: Civil Rights Memorial Center, Legacy Plaza, Legacy Museum" on my YouTube channel, in playlist "2026-1: The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham". If it was up to me, I'd spend a few minutes more in the Martyr Room. It has the most content of all the sections. Overall, the Civil Rights Memorial Center is a good, albeit modest-sized center. It is worth the visit if done in conjunction with the Rosa Parks Museum and the Freedom Rides Museum, both of which are within walking distance.

We visited the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, AL on Jan 7, 2026 as part of Road Scholar's "The…read moreCivil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham" program. As the name indicates, this museum is entirely about the numerous Freedom Rides from May to December of 1961. Its contents include maps, background information and related events. Tickets were covered by our program. We spent less than an hour here, in part because we got two other sites to visit in our day's itinerary. Gracing the entrance to the museum is the floor mural of people grouped between "FREE" and "DOM", and shaped in the form of a bus. Once inside the museum, "Mapping the 1961 Freedom Rides" - to my left - shows all the rides mapped out from point A to point B. Past that is "Separate and Unequal" that briefly describes what life was like "Traveling While Black". Opposite from that is "From Bus Station to Museum". It traces the timeline from the Freedom Rides to the founding of the museum, and includes different editions of the Green Book. The next section delves into the Freedom Rides themselves. "Movement Making" (organizing and planning), "You Don't Have To Ride Jim Crow" (boycotts and civil disobediences), "Faces of the Movement" (numerous individuals that participated in the Rides, "The Rides Continue" (despite violent oppositions). Footages of the exhibits are in the video "Day 4: Freedom Riders" on my YouTube channel, in playlist "2026-1: The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham". Of the three Montgomery mini-sites about the Civil Rights movement - the other two being the Civil Rights Memorial Center and the Rosa Parks Museum - I was most impressed with the Freedom Rides Museum. We had barely enough time to see almost everything. I learnt a lot more than what I had thought. (I thought the Freedom Rides were a mere few and not many!) Due to lack of time, I did not visit the gift shop. I definitely recommend this museum if done in conjunction with the Rosa Parks Museum and the Civil Rights Memorial Center, both of which are within walking distance.

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!

Bob was very welcoming and a great host. He welcomed us as we came through the door and showed us…read morearound, talking intelligently to the exhibits. There are a lot of artifacts and many that are quite unique to what I haven't seen before. He was great with kids and made them feel comfortable and enjoy it. It's neat to see history preserved as it is here. We definitely felt at home and it makes me want to read more into some specific civil war events.

Wonderful experience! The staff was extremely thoughtful greeting us with cold water bottles at the…read moredoor. They were very patient with our 5 and 7 year olds who asked so many questions that were answered thoroughly. Thank you for being one of the highlights of our historic trip!

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.

We visited the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park (FMSP) on Jan 8, 2026 as part of Road Scholar's "The…read moreCivil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham" program. It is one of the three Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy sites in Montgomery, AL, and one of two where photography is not allowed. Like with the other two sites, security checkpoint is present and I surrendered my foldable (smartphone) tripod. As the name indicates, the FMSP has a collection of sculptures, as well as monuments and restored (to original condition) habitats. Greeting visitors at the entrance is "Brick House" (by Simone Leigh). You can take pictures of everything within the entrance so long as you remain outside; once you step in, photography is no longer permitted. The staff will tell you so. In fact, the staff had told me so at least twice when I tried to sneak a photo shot while inside. That didn't stop other visitors from taking photos of various artwork and posting them here. My walk through the park was (sadly) devoid of visual records until I arrived at the National Monument to Freedom. If you are an art connoisseur, you'll enjoy the FMSP the most (out of the three EJI sites). The artwork is sheer beauty, albeit painfully crafted (no pun intended). Each is unique. Yet together, they collectively express the same message. The quality of the artwork alone makes everyone of them deserving of all the recognition (by cameras). The National Monument to Freedom is located near the end of the part trail. The staff informed me that photography from here onwards is permitted. In this respect, the FMSP is slightly better than the Legacy Museum. After the park, I headed to the visitor center. No prohibition of photography whatsoever. In front of the entrance is a statue of Harriet Tubman standing on a raised rock, holding a star with her right hand reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty, and looking down at a young girl kneeling by the rock and looking up at her. Inside the visitor center, there are consoles for visitors to know more about the subject matter, paintings on the walls, and a theater screening a documentary. I did not find out the title but it showed two individuals recounting anecdotes about slavery. It took me about 40 minutes to get through FMSP. An art connoisseur would spend considerably more time. I would appreciate it more if photography was permitted because all the artworks deserves maximum recognition. Like the other EJU sites, I do not give this place 5 stars because of the unnecessary security checkpoint to do the boat ride from Boat Launch at 101 Morris Street to FMSP, and vice versa. See attached image for further details.