Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta

Stoked in history and nostalgia, this Queen Anne–style house in the Sweet Auburn Historic District is a treasure and a delicate piece of history to visit. Built in 1895, it was bought 14 years later by King's maternal grandparents for $3,500. In 1926, when King's father married Alberta Williams, the couple – a Baptist minister and elementary-school music teacher – moved into the house, where King Jr. was born in 1929 (he lived here through the age of 12 before moving with his family a few blocks away).

Free half-hour guided tours are given on a continual basis, daily from 9am to 5pm, but to get tickets you will first have to book on the day at the National Park Service Visitor Center, at 450 Auburn Ave. On weekends, especially, arrive early as demand for tickets often exceeds supply.

Led by park rangers, the tours give an up close look at how MLK Jr. was raised, giving context to his work and the time he lived in. The first level includes the front porch, parlor, study, dining room, kitchen, laundry, bedroom and a bathroom, while the second level includes four bedrooms and a bathroom. The furnishings are all originals or period reproductions, and some personal items belonging to the family are on display. All in all, a must-see if you're in the area!