Overview
Retrace the journey of America’s greatest civil rights leaders from Atlanta, Georgia, to Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery, Alabama, concluding in Memphis, Tennessee. Learn from local guides about the struggle for civil rights in the United States while visiting renowned sites such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Reflect on the past and inspire your students’ future growth with this uniquely rewarding and thought-provoking experience.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Atlanta, GA
Lunch
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park visit
Immerse yourself in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s inspiring legacy while exploring his childhood home, neighborhood, and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Visit the King Center to reflect at his tomb and learn more about his life, Civil Rights leadership, and lasting global influence.
Auburn Avenue Course Leader-led walking tour
Admire iconic landmarks while exploring Sweet Auburn, known as the commercial, cultural, and spiritual heart of Black America since the 1890s. Hear stories from your Course Leader of Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home, the Civil Rights Movement, and the first Black-owned newspaper.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 2
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Birmingham, AL
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute visit
Experience the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham through interactive exhibits, iconic artifacts, and multimedia displays. Explore the realities of segregation in the Jim Crow era, learn about the 1963 Birmingham Campaign, and hear personal stories of courage, protest, and activism.
16th Street Baptist Church visit
Step into the city’s first Black church and learn about its powerful legacy as a critical Civil Rights meeting place. Admire the grand pipe organ and symbolic Wales Window while reflecting on the lives lost in the 1963 bombing as you explore this sacred landmark.
Negro Southern League Museum visit
Explore the rich history of Black baseball through interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and team memorabilia dating back to the 1800s. See over 1,700 autographed balls, iconic uniforms, and learn how legendary players like Jackie Robinson shaped the game and advanced the fight for equality.
Lunch
Kelly Ingram Park Course Leader-led walking tour
Walk through this renowned park and experience the heart of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Movement. Follow your guide past powerful memorials, sculptures, and landmarks as you learn about the key events, personal stories, and community activism that transformed the nation.
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the Carver Theatre visit
Journey through Alabama jazz history while exploring interactive exhibits, instruments, and rare memorabilia. Discover the theatre’s legacy as a 1930s hub for Black nightlife and hear stories of legendary performances from Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and other jazz greats.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 3
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Selma, AL
Brown Chapel AME Church photo stop
A hub for the Civil Rights Movement, temporary headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and the starting point of the “Bloody Sunday” march.
Lunch
National Voting Rights Museum and Institute visit
Follow the historic journey for the right to vote, beginning with the Founding Fathers in 1776 and continuing through the struggle for voting rights and the Civil Rights Movement across the South. View artifacts and hear firsthand accounts from key moments in the campaign, including “Bloody Sunday” and the Selma to Montgomery March.
Edmund Pettus Bridge
The first attempt to complete the 54-mile march to Montgomery ended here on Bloody Sunday, when 600 peaceful Civil Rights marchers were attacked by state troopers and driven back with nightsticks and tear gas. After crossing the bridge, take a moment to reflect at memorials honoring Rev. Hosea Williams, Amelia Boynton Robinson, Marie Foster, and the late Congressman John Lewis.
Travel to Montgomery, AL
Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice visit
Explore the profound history of racial injustice in America, from slavery and decades of racial terror to the Civil Rights era and bias in today’s justice system. Conclude this sobering experience by reflecting on the lives lost at the nation’s first memorial honoring lynching victims.
Downtown Montgomery walking tour
Journey through the heart of Montgomery and discover its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. Explore iconic landmarks, see the church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pastored, and learn about the events and leaders that advanced social justice and equality in America.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 4
Breakfast
Travel to Memphis, TN
Lunch
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel visit
Trace the history of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1600s to present day through immersive galleries, artifacts, and compelling narratives. Explore the Lorraine Motel to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and reflect on the ongoing fight for social justice worldwide.
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Beale Street walking tour
Discover this world-famous street, known as a celebrated hub for African American culture, the blues, and civil rights activism. Walk in the footsteps of legends like Elvis and B.B. King as you explore iconic landmarks and learn about the street’s influence on music worldwide.
Lunch
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum visit
Explore interactive exhibits highlighting the history and cultural impact of Memphis’ music scene and local artists. Discover rare recordings, unique artifacts, instruments, and stories of legendary performers like B.B. King, Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Alabama
Health & Safety
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.