Stand in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel — where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated — and trace the full arc of America's Civil Rights Movement through one of the world's most powerful museums. Unmissable and profoundly moving.
What to expect
The museum is built around and inside the preserved Lorraine Motel, so history is not recreated — it is literally present. Interactive galleries trace the movement from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968. The moment you step onto the balcony walkway adjacent to Room 306 is genuinely chilling. A private docent brings legal, cultural, and personal context that self-guided visits cannot match. Budget at least two hours; many guests find they need three.
Good to know
Timed entry tickets must be purchased online in advance — the museum frequently sells out. Located downtown, a short rideshare from the river. Plan your visit for mid-morning to avoid peak afternoon crowds. Monday hours begin at 9:00 AM.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Memphis — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.