Footsteps to Freedom Self-Guided Tour Through Birmingham

Footsteps to Freedom Self-Guided Tour Through Birmingham

By Drives & Detours

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
2h 30m
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

Step into one of the most powerful chapters of American history with this self-guided walking tour through Birmingham’s Civil Rights District.

Designed to be immersive and reflective, this experience guides you through the streets where ordinary people carried out extraordinary acts of courage, changing the course of a nation through peaceful resistance.

As you explore at your own pace, you’ll encounter churches, parks, and monuments that witnessed pivotal moments of the 1960s movement.

Thoughtful storytelling brings context to the architecture and public spaces, revealing how strategy, faith, and community shaped a national awakening rooted in Birmingham.

This walk isn’t just about learning history — it’s about feeling it.

By connecting place with personal stories, the tour offers a meaningful way to understand how protest, sacrifice, and hope transformed this city and left a lasting mark on the American conscience.

Activity location

The Four Spirits
- 1601 6th Avenue North
- 35203, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- 520 16th Street North
- 35203, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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Footsteps to Freedom Self-Guided Tour Through Birmingham in English

2h 30m
Opening hours: Thu 08:00-20:00
English

Travellers

Language options: English

Price details

€8.46 x 1 Adult€8.46

Total

What's included, what's not

Flexible Usage (unlimited access)
Audio Guide
App and Tour Download
Smartphone (bring your own)

Know before you book

Public transport options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
Flexible - Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
Get the Drives & Detours app download the tour ahead of time
In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

Activity itinerary

The Four Spirits

This moving bronze monument honours the four girls who lost their lives in the 1963 church bombing, capturing both innocence and resilience in its design. It stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder of the human cost of the fight for civil rights.

16th Street Baptist Church (Pass by)

A central meeting place for Civil Rights leaders, this historic church played a vital role in organising marches and strategy sessions. Its presence in the heart of the district makes it one of the most emotionally impactful stops on the route.

A.G. Gaston Motel

Once a safe haven and planning headquarters for movement leaders, this former motel hosted key figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During turbulent moments, its walls sheltered the strategy that helped change a nation.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (Pass by)

This modern museum stands across from Kelly Ingram Park and brings history to life through powerful exhibits and personal stories. It offers essential context that deepens every stop on the surrounding walking route.

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (Pass by)

Originally a film palace for Black audiences, this beautifully preserved building now celebrates the city’s rich musical legacy. Inside, the storey of Birmingham’s jazz heritage continues through artefacts and exhibits.

Historic 4th Avenue Business District

Once known as the Harlem of the South, this vibrant corridor was the business and cultural heart of Black Birmingham. Walking here reveals the legacy of entrepreneurs, entertainers, and leaders who built a thriving community under segregation.

Kelly Ingram Park

This historic green space became a national stage during the Children’s Crusade, when peaceful demonstrators faced police dogs and fire hoses. Today, sculptural installations throughout the park preserve those moments in striking and thoughtful ways.

Masonic Temple Building (Pass by)

This stately structure served as a centre for civic, social, and professional life within Birmingham’s Black community. Its architecture reflects both pride and perseverance during an era of deep segregation.

St Paul United Methodist Church

This historic congregation played an active role in community organising and civil rights efforts. Its quiet exterior belies the powerful meetings and moments of solidarity that took place within its walls.

The Ballard House Project

Once a private residence, this modest structure holds deep ties to the strategy and support networks of the movement. It represents the unseen, behind-the-scenes spaces where courage was carefully planned.

Alabama Theatre (Pass by)

A lavish 1920s film palace, the Alabama Theatre stands as a reminder of Birmingham’s entertainment golden age. Its ornate interior contrasts with the social divisions that once shaped who could enter and where they could sit.

Location

Activity location

The Four Spirits
- 1601 6th Avenue North
- 35203, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- 520 16th Street North
- 35203, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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