The National Center for Civil and Human Rights at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW in Downtown Atlanta is a museum that explores the American civil rights movement alongside the broader history and ongoing struggle for human rights globally. Opened in 2014 and designed by architect Philip Freelon, the building is situated between Centennial Olympic Park and the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta's cultural tourism cluster.
The museum is organized across two primary wings. The first, titled Rolls Down Like Water, documents the American civil rights movement chronologically, beginning with the conditions of segregation in the South and following the movement through Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and the March on Washington. The wing's most affecting installation is a lunch counter simulation in which visitors sit at a replica of a Woolworth's lunch counter and put on headphones that deliver the experience of a sit-in: sounds of verbal abuse, physical vibration of the stool, and emotional context compressed into a three-minute immersive encounter. This simulation regularly moves visitors to tears. Original civil rights era artifacts anchor the scholarly content, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s personal papers on loan from Morehouse College and items from the Coretta Scott King Collection, housed here.
The second wing, Spark of Conviction, addresses human rights struggles globally and in the contemporary era, covering subjects from apartheid in South Africa to LGBTQ+ rights movements, with interactive digital elements. The building's architecture uses light and form to reinforce the exhibition narrative throughout.
Plan two to three hours for a thorough visit. Tickets are $19.99 for adults and can be purchased at the door or online. The museum is a ten-minute walk from MARTA Peachtree Center Station on the Red and Gold lines.
Good to know
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sun 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; the 'Rolls Down Like Water' lunch counter sit-in simulation is a must-do
Location
100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
33.7621, -84.3946 View on map
Highlights
- Lunch counter sit-in simulation (Rolls Down Like Water): an immersive, physical recreation of a civil rights protest
- Coretta Scott King Collection: handwritten correspondence and documents from her decades of civil rights activism
- MLK Jr. personal papers on loan from Morehouse College: original texts and correspondence
- Spark of Conviction wing: global human rights coverage including apartheid, LGBTQ+ rights, and contemporary movements
- Philip Freelon-designed building with architecture integrated into the exhibition narrative
Tips for visiting
- The lunch counter simulation is the museum's most powerful installation — allow time to process the experience before moving on
- Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school groups, which typically fill the main galleries by mid-morning
- Tickets at $19.99 for adults can be purchased at the door or online at civilandhumanrights.org — no booking required but online purchase saves time
- The museum is adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and a short walk from the Georgia Aquarium — combine for a full Downtown Atlanta day
- Children under 4 are free; the museum recommends parental preview for children under 8 given the intensity of some content
When to visit
Weekday mornings before 11 AM offer the quietest experience before school group visits arrive. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM and Sunday from 12 PM.
Accessibility
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is fully wheelchair accessible, with level access from Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, elevators between floors, and accessible restrooms. The lunch counter simulation stools can be bypassed — headsets are available for a standing version of the audio experience.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights take?
Two to three hours is recommended to engage fully with both main exhibition wings. The lunch counter simulation itself takes three minutes but often prompts extended reflection.
Is the lunch counter simulation suitable for children?
The simulation is intense — it uses sound and physical sensation to recreate the experience of a sit-in under verbal and physical abuse. The museum recommends parental guidance for children under 8 and suggests adult preparation before participation.
How does this museum differ from the MLK National Historic Site?
The MLK site focuses specifically on King's life and birthplace in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. The National Center covers the wider civil rights movement through original artifacts, immersive installations, and a global human rights context not addressed at the NPS site.