Top six cities for Martin Luther King history
No other name is so closely linked to the Civil Rights movement. A Civil Rights traveler can visit the most important Civil Rights sites just by touring the cities where Dr. King lived and made history.
Washington, D.C.
The most famous words of the 20th century were delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The Rev. King's "I Have a Dream" speech will be remembered long after our civilization is gone. He delivered the final address during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The event drew 200,000 spectators, a quarter of them white. Celebrities on hand ranged from Sammy Davis Jr. to Marlon Brando to Bob Dylan.
A marker, dedicated in 2003 by the Rev. King's widow Coretta Scott, memorializes the moment.
The memorial has been the site of many other pivotal moments in U.S. history. Some say the modern civil rights movement got its start with Marian Anderson's 1939 Easter Sunday concert at the memorial. The African-American performer had been banned from performing at Constitution Hall by the owners, the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Next King site.
Guidebook
Washington, D.C. travel infoCool Washington D.C. tours, including spy tours, Segway tours, night-time bicycle tours, trolley tours, and much more
Hotels
Willard InterContinental Washington No other D.C. hotel feels more at the center of power than the Willard, a beautiful Beaux Arts building, just a block from the White House. Look for specials or packages because it’s quite spendy. 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202/628-9100, TripAdvisor average price $510.
Hampton Inn Washington, DC – Convention Center A relative DC bargain, this full-service hotel offers free breakfast and is three blocks from a Metro stop. 901 6th Street., NW, 202/842-2500. TripAdvisor average price $198.
Comfort Inn – Springfield If you don’t mind commuting with civil servants, you can save money by staying in the suburbs. This Virginia motel has the basics and offers a complimentary shuttle to the nearby Metro rail station. 6560 Loisdale Court. TripAdvisor average price $98.
Dining
Washingtonian magazine's 100 best restaurantsAcadiana Located near Chinatown, the Louisiana fishhouse-themed restaurant serves some of the best Cajun, Creole and New Orleans fare in the District. 901 New York Avenue Northwest, 202/408-8848
Ben’s Chili Bowl A D.C. classic, visitors line up all hours for chili and half-smokes, a local specialty. President Obama is only the latest luminary to visit. 1213 U Street Northwest, 202/667-0909