Your insider’s guide to the Atlanta Center for Civil and Human Rights

Atlanta and civil rights history go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise that the Peach State’s capital city is home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

A museum and a human rights organization, this facility “inspires people to tap their own power to change the world around them.”

Before you head to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, this is what you need to know.

Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, Ga. 30313 in downtown Atlanta.

Where should you park? The World of Coca-Cola parking deck at 126 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, Ga. 30313 is the closest available parking to the Center. It costs $17 per vehicle. You can also park in the Georgia Aquarium parking deck, which you can get to using the address, 357 Luckie Street, NW Atlanta, Ga. 30313. It costs $17 for nonmembers who do not have aquarium tickets.

Hours: The Center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and Sunday. On Saturday the Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last entry is at 4 p.m. daily.

Ticket Prices: For individual tickets, general admission is $19.99 for adults, $15.99 for youth and $17.99 for seniors. Tickets are non-refundable. Group tickets are also available.

What is the best way to get cheap tickets? Group tickets offer some of the cheapest prices for educational visits. Ticket deals have been offered throughout the year. CityPass can be a good deal too, especially if out-of-town guests are planning to hit a few tourist hot spots.

When is the best time to visit? Crowds are at their lowest levels from Aug. 1- Sept. 1. On weekdays throughout the year, the crowd dwindles as closing time nears (no entry after 4 p.m.). Be sure to review the COVID-19 guidelines.

When is the Center the busiest? Fridays and Saturdays are always the busiest days at the Center.

How much time does it take to experience the Center? Be sure to enter before 4 p.m. to gain entry. Leave at least 90 minutes to experience the museum fully.

What type of bag can you bring in with you? Small luggage, carriers and backpacks are permitted, but there is no storage area for personal belongings. Visitors must keep their items with them at all times.

Can you bring food in with you? Food is permitted in the atrium, where parents may feed babies, but not in the galleries. The gift shop sells snacks. Chewing gum, candy and water bottles are not allowed in the galleries.

Are strollers welcome? Children in single strollers are welcome in the Center’s galleries but during particularly busy attendance times, stroller use may be limited. “Front-facing baby carriers are permitted and encouraged.”

Is photography allowed? The Center allows “private, non-commercial use only.” Photography is not allowed within “Voice to the Voiceless: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr., Collection.” Be sure to be mindful of the visitors around you when attempting to photograph and record video. No flash photography is allowed.

Where is the best place to take a selfie? The Center suggests three locations: the front lobby at the Paula Scher Mural, the Fountain outside and in front of the MLK mural near the second-floor stairs.

What else do you need to know? The Center says, “People are always curious about the event spaces we offer. The Center provides a unique venue space that accommodates everything from corporate events and conferences to weddings, holiday parties and intimate dinners. Anyone may rent the entire facility, including our exhibit spaces, or simply utilize our state-of-the-art Special Event Room and Pre-Function Lobby.”

Insider tip: Before you visit the Center, check out their social media accounts to see what you can expect. You can follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

This story was originally published by Eileen Falkenberg-Hull in 2016 and has since been updated.