Birmingham Civil Rights Tour: Walking & Driving History
The church bombing killed four little girls, and the park where they marched still stands a few blocks away.
This three-hour walking and driving tour of Birmingham takes you through the city's Civil Rights landmarks, starting at the statue of Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and moving through Kelly Ingram Park, the 16th Street Baptist Church, and Dynamite Hill. A live guide in English leads the route, covering the groups who fought for equal rights and those who opposed them, including Bull Connor's clashes and the Freedom Riders' attack. The tour includes air-conditioned transportation, live commentary, and all activities. You'll walk over a mile at a moderate pace across the sites where the movement unfolded.
Step-by-step itinerary
Birmingham Civil Rights Walking and Driving Tour
- Begin at Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth statue
- Walk around Kelly Ingram Park
- See 16th Street Baptist Church
- Learn about church bombing history
- Walk park statues, learn about freedom marches
- Visit march protest end site
- Learn about Bull Connor clashes
- Visit Dynamite Hill bombed houses and churches
- See church led by Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
- Explore Black Business District history
- See site of school integration attempts
- Visit Freedom Riders attack location
The experience
The tour begins at the statue of Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, the leader of Birmingham's Civil Rights struggle, and moves through the city by a combination of walking and driving. You'll spend time in Kelly Ingram Park, where marchers gathered, and visit the 16th Street Baptist Church, where a bombing in 1963 killed four young girls. The guide explains why the Civil Rights movement was necessary, what led to segregation's fall, and the roles different groups played in the fight for equal rights.
From the church, the route takes you to see where march protests ended and to Dynamite Hill, a neighborhood where houses and churches were bombed during the Civil Rights era. You'll also visit the Black Business District to learn about Black life in Birmingham during its prosperous years, and see the school where Reverend Shuttlesworth attempted integration. The Freedom Riders' attack site is included as well, showing the violence that accompanied the movement. Throughout, the guide connects these physical locations to the people and events that shaped them.
The three-hour pace mixes walking and riding, so you're not on your feet the entire time. Air-conditioned transportation moves you between stops, and the guide provides live commentary from the vehicle. You'll need to walk over a mile at a reasonable pace, and the tour runs rain or shine, though if severe weather like a hurricane or tornado hits, you can reschedule or get a full refund. Temperatures can range from 40 to 100 degrees, so dress accordingly.
What’s included
- A live English-speaking guide.
- air-conditioned transportation between stops.
- all taxes, fees and handling charges.
- live commentary throughout the three hours.
- all activities at each site.
Information
Lasts 3h, runs Thursday to Sunday at 09:45, from US$ 70 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Operated by Red Clay Enterprises LLC
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're visiting Birmingham alone or with a small group and want a structured route through the Civil Rights landmarks with a guide who can explain the history and connections between sites. The three-hour length and mix of walking and driving suit travelers who want depth without a full-day commitment and who need some time off their feet between stops.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the 16th Street Baptist Church and why does it matter to this tour?
The 16th Street Baptist Church was central to Birmingham's Civil Rights movement and the site of a 1963 bombing that killed four young girls. The guide explains the church's role in the movement and the history of that attack, making it one of the most significant stops on the route.
How much walking is involved in the three-hour tour?
You'll walk over a mile total, mostly concentrated in Kelly Ingram Park and around the 16th Street Baptist Church. The rest of the route uses air-conditioned transportation between stops, so walking and riding are mixed throughout the three hours.
Who was Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and where do I see him on this tour?
Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth led Birmingham's local Civil Rights struggle. The tour starts at his statue and later visits the church where he led the movement from, as well as the school where he attempted to integrate students.
What is Dynamite Hill and what will I see there?
Dynamite Hill is a Birmingham neighborhood where houses and churches were bombed during the Civil Rights era. The tour visits this area to show the violence and destruction that accompanied the movement for equal rights.
What does the guide cover about those who opposed the Civil Rights movement?
The guide discusses Bull Connor and his clashes against those fighting for Civil Rights, as well as the Freedom Riders' attack in Birmingham, showing both the resistance to the movement and the violence it faced.
Birmingham Civil Rights Tour: Walking & Driving History
3h · EN
from US$ 70 per person