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By Root 584 0

Elvis Presley once did – on hearty breakfast plates and lunch treats like fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Eating here is like stepping back in time to 1919, when it first opened. Not much has changed since, except, of course, that African Americans and whites are now both welcomed with open arms. We have MLK, Jr to thank for that.

Kevin Raub

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TRIP INFORMATION

DO

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Interactive museum showcasing the struggle for voting rights and desegregation. It does a fascinating job of recreating a segregated world. 866-328-9696; www.bcri.org; 520 Sixteenth St, Birmingham; adult/child $10/4; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 1-5pm Sun;

Civil Rights Memorial Center

A haunting memorial focused on some 40 ‘faceless’ individuals who were murdered in the civil rights struggle. 334-956-8200; www.civilrightsmemorialcenter.org; 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery; adult/child $2/free; 9am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat;

Dexter Ave King Memorial Baptist Church

The only church where MLK, Jr was a full-time preacher. 334-263-3970; www.dexterkingmemorial.org; 454 Dexter Ave, Montgomery; adult/child $5/3; tours 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Tue-Fri; 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm Sat;

Dexter Parsonage Museum

King’s home from 1954 to 1960 still houses some of his family’s furniture. 334-261-3270; 309 S Jackson St, Montgomery; adult/child $5/3; tours 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Tue-Fri; 10am,11am, noon, 1pm Sat;

Ebenezer Baptist Church

The church where MLK, Jr was baptized, and was later co-pastor. It’s closed until 2010 for renovations. 404-331-5190; www.nps.gov/malu; 407-413 Auburn Ave, Atlanta; 9am-6pm

King Birth Home

Go on a tour of MLK, Jr’s 1895 birth home, guided by Rev. Graham Williams, who marched with MLK, Jr. Reservations essential; book at Martin Luther King, Jr National Historic Site Visitor’s Center. 404-331-5190; www.nps.gov/malu; 501 Auburn Ave, Atlanta; admission free; 9am-6pm

King Center

Don’t miss the small exhibition here of MLK, Jr’s personal items, including his key from the Lorraine Motel, where he was assassinated. 404-526-8900; www.thekingcenter.org; 449 Auburn Ave, Atlanta; admission free; 9am-6pm

Lowndes County Interpretive Center

Showcases the 1965 historic Selma to Montgomery march for voter rights, a day known as “Bloody Sunday.” 334-877-1984; www.nps.gov/semo; 7002 Hwy 80 W, Hayneville, AL; admission free; 9am-4:30pm;

Martin Luther King, Jr National Historic Site Visitor’s Center

A small interpretive museum and the spot to make reservations to tour the King birth home. 404-331-5190; www.nps.gov/malu; 450 Auburn Ave, Atlanta; admission free; 9am-6pm

National Civil Rights Museum

The site of MLK, Jr’s assassination is now a startling museum covering the entirety of the Civil Rights movement. 901-521-9699; www.civilrightsmuseum.org; 450 Mulberry St, Memphis; adult/child $12/9; 9am-5pm Mon & Wed-Sat, 1-5pm Sun

National Voting Rights Museum

An ex-Selma sheriff’s cattle prod is the haunting highlight at this museum as seen through Selma’s eyes. 334-418-0800; 1012 Water Ave, Selma, AL; adult/child $6/4; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat;

Rosa Parks Museum

A recreation of Parks’ infamous bus ride highlights this museum dedicated to her and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 334-241-8615; 252 Montgomery St, Montgomery; adult/child $5.50/3.50 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat;

Sixteenth St Baptist Church

The site of a 1963 KKK bombing that killed four young school children. 205-251-9402; www.bcri.org; 1530 Sixth Ave N, Birmingham; tour donation $2; 10am-4pm Tue-Fri, to 1pm Sat

EAT & DRINK

Arcade Restaurant

A classic soda fountain serving up some of Memphis’ finest home cooking, including a wealth of breakfast choices, sandwiches and pizza. 901-526-5757; 540 S Main St, Memphis; mains $4-7; 7am-3pm daily, dinner Fri;

Café Dupont

Upscale contemporary Southern. If the buttermilk fried chicken in lemon basil sauce is available, that’s the way to go. 205-322-1282; 113 20th St N, Birmingham; mains $25-28; 11am-2pm Tue-Fri, 5pm-10pm