Guided walking tours · 2.5 hours · From $40 per person · Old Fourth Ward, Cabbagetown, and the Beltline
Unexpected Atlanta is rated 5.0 from 3,500+ Google and TripAdvisor reviews
TripAdvisor "Best of the Best" 3 years in a row
Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour
Track the fascinating life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement in a fast-paced, memorable 2.5 hour walking history tour. We’ll see Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center. Then, we’ll venture to unexpected locations even locals don’t know. Up to 14 guests · includes Freedom Hall at the King Center and a donation to the King Center
2.5
hours
hours
1.7
easy miles
easy miles
$40
per person
per person
Gorgeous art
Atlanta Art & Mural Tour
Explore Atlanta’s street art on a 2.5-hour walking tour that starts in charming Cabbagetown, passes through the Krog Street Tunnel, and follows the Beltline Eastside Trail to Inman Park. Hear the stories behind the murals, then design your own street art during a salon-style happy hour with a drink included. Beginners welcome. Up to 14 guests · art supplies and one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink included
2.5
hours
hours
1.5
easy miles
easy miles
$45
per person
per person
Which Atlanta History Walking Tour Is Right For You?
All of our history walking tours are led by local guides at an easy pace. Here’s how they compare.
| Tour | Where | Length and distance | Price | What’s included | A great pick if… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour | Old Fourth Ward and the King Historic District | 2.5 hours, 1.7 miles | $40 per person | Freedom Hall at the King Center, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (exterior only), Prince Hall Grand Lodge, a donation to the King Center, and a hand-drawn sticker brochure | You want Civil Rights history and the stories of Dr. King’s Atlanta, as a first-time visitor or a local |
| Atlanta Art & Mural Tour | Cabbagetown to Inman Park, along the Beltline Eastside Trail | 2.5 hours, 1.5 miles | $45 per person | A guided street art tour, art supplies for a hands-on activity, and one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink | You love art, murals, and a creative break (beginners welcome) |
Planning for 8 or more? Every walking tour can be upgraded to a private experience for corporate outings, team building, student groups, families, and celebrations, with groups of up to 140 guests. Our MLK Tour for Kids is available privately for families of up to 6 or for field trips. As an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., we also lead private Beltline tours for community groups. Tell us about your group, see our team building neighborhood tours, or call or text 470-223-2203.
Why Book Unexpected Atlanta’s Walking Tours?
Unexpected Atlanta Tours & Gifts, formerly Atlanta Food Walks and Atlanta History Tours, leads guided Atlanta walking tours that bring the city’s history to life, from the Civil Rights landmarks of the Old Fourth Ward to the street art of Cabbagetown and the Beltline. Our local guides, including two historians on our staff, tell the stories behind the places, and every tour is led on foot at an easy pace. Looking for a walking tour with food? See our Atlanta food tours.
- Unexpected Atlanta is rated 5.0 from 3,500+ reviews on Tripadvisor and Google
- The Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is a Tripadvisor “Best of the Best” experience
- Named one of the 16 best things to do in Atlanta by Condé Nast Traveler
- 25,000+ guests since 2015
- Ranked #1 of 307 Tours & Activities in Atlanta on Tripadvisor
- Local guides, with two historians on staff
- Tour partner of the King Center, the Historic Oakland Foundation, the Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association, and an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., since 2025
What Every Atlanta Walking Tour Includes
- A local guide who tells the stories. Your guide is a passionate, knowledgeable local, and our tours are created by historians.
- An easy pace. The MLK tour is 1.7 easy miles and the Art & Mural Tour is 1.5, each with plenty of stops and a break along the way.
- Small groups. Public tours are capped at about 14 guests. Private tours start at 8 guests, and groups of up to 140 can call or text 470-223-2203.
- Rain or shine. These are outdoor walks, so dress for the weather and bring an umbrella on rainy days.
- What to wear and bring. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and very comfortable shoes. Bring a bottle of water and cash for gratuities.
- Easy booking. Book up to 1 hour before the MLK tour and up to 2 hours before the Art & Mural Tour. We email your exact meeting location when you book.
- Something extra on each tour. The MLK tour includes a donation to the King Center and an exclusive hand-drawn brochure, and the Art & Mural Tour includes art supplies and one drink.
- Kids and families. We recommend ages 9 and up on our public tours, which include about 1.5 to 1.7 miles of walking. Families with younger children can book our private MLK Tour for Kids, for ages 6 to 13.
- Wheelchair accessible. All of our tours are wheelchair accessible. If you have any physical limitations, or difficulty walking or standing, contact us before you book so we can help plan your tour.
- Gratuity. Tips are not included. Cash is appreciated if you have a great time.
Guests Love Unexpected Atlanta’s Walking History Tours
Guests rate Unexpected Atlanta 5.0 across 3,540 Google and TripAdvisor reviews.
Atlanta Walking Tours Led by Local Historians
Unexpected Atlanta Tours & Gifts, formerly Atlanta Food Walks and Atlanta History Tours, has led guided Atlanta tours since 2015. Our team includes two historians whose full-time job is uncovering the stories behind the city’s places, and our local guides bring that research to every walk.
Our founder, Akila Sankar McConnell, wrote A Culinary History of Atlanta, a 2020 Georgia Author of the Year Awards finalist in History. The Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is a Tripadvisor “Best of the Best” experience three years in a row and was named one of the 16 best things to do in Atlanta by Condé Nast Traveler. Since 2025, we have also been an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., leading its private Beltline tours.
Our tours have been featured in:
Private tours: Planning for 8 or more? Every walking tour can be upgraded to a private experience for corporate outings, team building, student groups, families, and celebrations, with groups of up to 140 guests. Our MLK Tour for Kids is available privately for families of up to 6 or for field trips. As an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., we also lead private Beltline tours for community groups. Tell us about your group, see our team building neighborhood tours, or call or text 470-223-2203.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the Atlanta that even locals don’t know. Unexpected Atlanta neighborhood tours take you beyond the major attractions to explore the history, culture, food, architecture, and people that make each Atlanta neighborhood unique.
From Downtown to Cabbagetown to Old Fourth Ward, our local guides bring Atlanta’s neighborhoods to life through great stories, hidden history, and Southern hospitality. We have two historians on staff whose full time job is uncovering the stories folks wish they knew.
Come walk Atlanta with us and discover the stories hiding in plain sight.
Choosing a Walking Tour
Why choose Unexpected Atlanta for a walking tour?
Unexpected Atlanta has led Atlanta walking tours since 2015 and is ranked #1 of 307 Tours & Activities in Atlanta on Tripadvisor. Our team includes two historians. We are a tour partner of The King Center, the Historic Oakland Foundation, and the Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association, and an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. since 2025, leading its private Beltline tours for community groups. Our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour was named one of the 16 best things to do in Atlanta by Condé Nast Traveler.
Why take a guided walking tour instead of exploring on my own?
Atlanta’s historic sites are spread out, not always well signposted, and run by many different organizations, so it’s easy to miss the places that matter most. A local guide connects them for you, walking between the sites at an easy pace, explaining the history of each, and taking you to places that a visit to any single museum or site doesn’t, including stops that even locals don’t know.
What is the best walking tour in Atlanta?
The best walking tour depends on what you want to see. For Civil Rights history, our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is a 2.5-hour guided walk through the Old Fourth Ward and the King Historic District, rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and a “Best of the Best” experience. For street art, our Atlanta Art & Mural Tour walks from Cabbagetown to Inman Park along the Beltline, and for history tours with food, see our Atlanta food tours.
What is the best Civil Rights tour in Atlanta?
If you want to learn about the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta, our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is a 2.5-hour, 1.7-mile guided walk through the Old Fourth Ward and the King Historic District. You’ll visit Freedom Hall at the King Center, see the exterior of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and hear stories of Dr. King and the many Civil Rights leaders in Atlanta. It’s rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor, is the most-reviewed Civil Rights tour on Tripadvisor with 580+ reviews, and was named one of the 16 best things to do in Atlanta by Condé Nast Traveler.
Which Atlanta walking tour is best for first-time visitors?
Our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is our most popular tour and a great choice for first-time visitors who want to understand Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. If you’d rather focus on art, the Atlanta Art & Mural Tour is a creative way to see Cabbagetown and the Beltline, and if you’d like food, our Atlanta food tours pair tastings with local history.
How much do Atlanta walking tours cost?
The Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is $40 per person, and the Atlanta Art & Mural Tour is $45 per person and includes one drink. Gratuity is not included.
How long are your walking tours?
The Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour and the Atlanta Art & Mural Tour each take about 2.5 hours. The MLK tour covers 1.7 easy miles and the Art & Mural Tour covers 1.5 easy miles, both at a leisurely pace with a break along the way.
Do you offer walking tours with food?
Yes. Our Atlanta food tours are guided walking tours with tastings: the Historic Market Food Tour & Hands-On Biscuit Class, the Grant Park Food & History Tour, and the Prohibition Progressive Dinner. We also offer the Midtown Food & Mystery Tour as a private tour for groups. See our Atlanta food tours for details.
When are the walking tours held?
Tour days and times change with demand, so our booking calendar always shows the current schedule.
The Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour
What does the Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour include?
The tour includes Freedom Hall at the King Center, the exterior of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Dr. and Mrs. King’s memorial, and skyline views from the Jackson Street Bridge. Your ticket also includes a knowledgeable local guide, a donation to the King Center, and an exclusive hand-drawn brochure.
Is the King Historic District Tour the same as your Martin Luther King Jr. tour?
Yes. The Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is also known as the King Historic District Tour and the Martin Luther King Jr. Atlanta Tour. It’s the same 2.5-hour guided walk through the Old Fourth Ward, run by Unexpected Atlanta.
Can’t I just visit the King Historic District on my own?
Yes, and many of the sites can be visited on your own. But the King Historic District is spread out and not always well signposted, and its sites are run by different organizations, including the National Park Service and the King Center. On our 2.5-hour tour, your guide walks you between them, ties the stories together, and shows you places a museum visit alone doesn’t, such as the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Dr. and Mrs. King’s memorial, the Jackson Street Bridge, and other stops even locals don’t know. Your ticket also includes a donation to the King Center.
What is the difference between your MLK tour and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park?
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is a separate site run by the National Park Service. Our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is a guided, 2.5-hour walking tour run by Unexpected Atlanta that connects the many different Civil Rights attractions located in a small neighborhood. We start at the exterior of Ebenezer Baptist Church, then walk through historic Sweet Auburn, stop at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, then end at Freedom Hall at the King Center and Dr. and Mrs. King’s memorial. Your ticket includes a donation to the King Center.
Does your MLK tour go inside the King Birth Home or Ebenezer Baptist Church?
Our tour passes the exterior of Dr. King’s birth home and the exterior of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, but it doesn’t go inside either one. The interior of the Birth Home is open separately, so you can plan a visit before or after your tour. Check the National Park Service for current availability.
Is the Visitor Center open?
The National Park Service Visitor Center is currently closed. Our tour doesn’t depend on it: we visit Freedom Hall at the King Center, see the exterior of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and stop at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and Dr. and Mrs. King’s memorial. Our goal is to take you to the real places where events happened.
Is the MLK tour appropriate for children?
Many children attend our tours. We recommend ages 9 and up on our public tours, since the tours include about 1.7 miles of walking. For younger children, our private MLK Tour for Kids is for ages 6 to 13, with games and interactive questions for the whole family.
The Atlanta Art & Mural Tour and Beltline Tours
Why take a guided art tour instead of looking at the murals on my own?
Murals are easy to find but hard to understand. On our Atlanta Art & Mural Tour, your guide shares the stories behind the murals and the artists who made them, explains why graffiti is legal at the Krog Street Tunnel, and walks you through Cabbagetown to the Beltline Eastside Trail, then you design your own street art during a salon-style happy hour. Beginners welcome.
Is the Atlanta Art & Mural Tour a food tour?
No. The Atlanta Art & Mural Tour is a 2.5-hour walking tour from Cabbagetown through the Krog Street Tunnel to the Beltline Eastside Trail, ending in Inman Park. It includes art supplies for a hands-on street art activity and one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, but no food. For walking tours with food, see our Atlanta food tours.
Do you offer Beltline tours?
Yes. Unexpected Atlanta has been an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. since 2025, leading its private, customized Beltline tours, which run about 3 hours, for community groups. For the public, our Atlanta Art & Mural Tour follows the Beltline Eastside Trail from Cabbagetown to Inman Park, with street art along the way, including murals created for the Forward Warrior Festival and Civil Rights-themed murals. It’s about 1.5 miles. To plan a private Beltline tour for your group, contact us.
Do I need to be an artist, and will I be doing graffiti?
No. Beginners are welcome, and non-artists won’t have to share their creations. You’ll use supplies we provide to design your own street art during a salon-style happy hour. You won’t be doing graffiti, though you’ll learn why graffiti is legal at the Krog Street Tunnel.
Where do your walking tours start and end?
We email the exact meeting location for every tour when you book. The Atlanta Art & Mural Tour begins in Cabbagetown and ends in Inman Park, about 1.5 miles from the start. We don’t recommend parking in Cabbagetown because the streets are small and parking is limited, so ride share or public transportation is easier. If you must drive, parking is most often available along Wylie Street.
Practical Details
How big are the groups?
Public tours are capped at about 14 guests. Private tours start at 8 guests and can host up to 140. Call or text us at 470-223-2203.
Are your walking tours wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All of our tours are wheelchair accessible. Because our walking tours are outdoors and include a lot of standing, please contact us before you book if you have any physical limitations or difficulty walking or standing, so we can help plan your tour.
Do the walking tours run in the rain?
Yes. Our walking tours run rain or shine, so dress for the weather and bring an umbrella on rainy days. If we need to cancel for dangerous weather, we’ll contact you to resolve your reservation.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and very comfortable shoes. Bring a bottle of water, an umbrella on rainy days, and cash for gratuities if you have a great time.
How far in advance can I book?
You can book up to 1 hour before the Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour and up to 2 hours before the Atlanta Art & Mural Tour, as long as spots are available. We email your exact meeting location when you book.
Is gratuity included?
No. Gratuity is not included. Please bring cash if you’d like to tip your guide.
Families, Groups, Gifts, and Locals
Is there a walking tour for kids?
Yes, as a private tour. Our MLK Tour for Kids is a 1.5-hour, 0.9-mile tour with games and interactive questions for children ages 6 to 13. You reserve the entire tour for up to 6 guests, and it’s $300 per family. Call or text us at 470-223-2203 or tell us about your group to book.
Do you offer private walking tours or team building in Atlanta?
Yes. Unexpected Atlanta hosts private walking tours for corporate groups, team outings, families, student groups, and celebrations, with groups of 8 to 140 guests, including our private MLK Tour for Kids. Every tour can be upgraded to a private experience. Tell us about your group or see our team building neighborhood tours.
Are the walking tours good for Atlanta locals?
Yes. Our walking tours are designed for both Atlanta locals and visitors, and they go beyond the major attractions to history and places that even locals don’t know.
Can I give a walking tour as a gift?
Yes. Gift certificates are available online. Buy a gift certificate.
About Our Company
Is Atlanta History Tours the same company as Unexpected Atlanta?
Yes. Atlanta History Tours is an earlier name of Unexpected Atlanta Tours & Gifts, which was also formerly known as Atlanta Food Walks. It’s the same company, and we’ve led Atlanta tours since 2015. Our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is also known as the King Historic District Tour.
Who are Unexpected Atlanta’s tour partners?
Unexpected Atlanta is a tour partner of The King Center, the Historic Oakland Foundation, and the Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association, and an official tour partner of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. since 2025. Every ticket to our Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour includes a donation to the King Center, and every ticket to our Atlanta Art & Mural Tour includes a donation to the Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association.
Are your walking tours the same ones listed on Tripadvisor, Viator, and GetYourGuide?
Yes. Our walking tours are also listed on Tripadvisor, Viator, and GetYourGuide, and they may appear on partner sites such as Fever. They are the same tours run by Unexpected Atlanta, sometimes under slightly different titles: the Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour is also called the King Historic District Tour, and the Atlanta Art & Mural Tour is listed as the “Atlanta Street Art and BeltLine Tour with Happy Hour and Activity.” Prices, group sizes, and cancellation terms on third-party sites may differ from ours.
Booking and Cancellation
What is your cancellation policy?
All guests who have booked with Unexpected Atlanta directly can cancel with a full refund, or move their reservations up to 24 hours before the start of the tour.
Purchasing Cancellation Insurance allows guests the following further accommodations:
- The ability to cancel with a full refund up to 12 hours before the tour’s start time (minus ticketing and insurance fees).
- The ability to move reservations up to 12 hours before the tour’s start time.
If you would like to move your reservation up to 12 hours before the tour’s start time and have not purchased tour insurance for your reservation, please call Unexpected Atlanta directly and we’ll be happy to facilitate the purchase of tour insurance at that time in order to do so.
Tours booked after 24 hours without the purchase of Cancellation Insurance will not be eligible for refunds. Tours booked with the purchase of Cancellation Insurance will not be eligible for refunds 12 hours before the start of the tour.
We cannot give refunds or partial refunds for guests that:
- Do not arrive on time.
- No show.
- Or, join a different tour out of their own error.
Unexpected Atlanta reserves the right to cancel tours at any time should there be Force Majeure events, including dangerous weather that may impede the operations of tours, or impact the safety of guests. In this event, Unexpected Atlanta will reach out to guests to resolve issues with any affected reservations.
Unexpected Atlanta also reserves the right to cancel tours at any time if the 2 person minimum has not been met. In this event, Unexpected Atlanta will reach out to guests to resolve issues with any affected reservations.
Reservations made through third-party sites such as Viator, Tripadvisor, or Get Your Guide follow that site’s cancellation policy.
Explore more Atlanta tours: Food tours · Cooking classes · Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour · Atlanta Art & Mural Tour · All Atlanta tours
Prices, tours, and availability updated October 2026.