Civil Rights History in Alabama
 

We plan to visit Alabama this fall to see the Civil Rights sites and museums. After researching what to see and do, I created an itinerary. I'm wondering if there is overlap with it in terms of the many museums providing the same content. For those who have traveled to see these places, what would you prioritize seeing? If you wouldn't cut out anything, that is great! See itinerary further below.

I already know the opening hours and days for these places below and have noted if the place is closed (and we'll have to drive by it) or is open on the day we plan to be there.

Day 1 - Arrive in Alabama and drive to Tuskegee
Day 2 - Visit Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (M-Sat, 9 am) Need 2 hrs. Drive to Selma to see the Edmund Pettus Bridge (1h15 drive) and then drive to Montgomery (1h).
Day 3 - Montgomery = Dexter Parsonage Museum (closed, will drive by it); Freedom Rides Museum (T-Sat), Civil Rights Memorial Center (M-Sat); Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church (drive by). See Rosa Parks Museum instead of another museum on this day?
Day 4 - Montgomery = Spend the day visiting the three Legacy sites: The Legacy Museum, National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
Day 5 - Drive to Birmingham (1h45). Visit the Civil Rights Inst (T-Sat), 16th St Baptist Church (M-F); Kelly Ingram Park

Thank you for your insights in advance!

Can you add Selma?

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (incl. famous Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of “Bloody Sunday”)

Old Town Historic District (1,250 historic structures dating from the 1820s)

National Voting Rights Museum & Institute

Barker’s Slave Quarters (Old Cahawba Park)

In Birmingham check out the Arlington House Slave Quarters. Eat at SAW’s Soul Kitchen (Soul Food).

Thanks for these additional sights in Selma. Since our itinerary is already jam-packed, I'm looking to scale it back and prioritize. It's not easy!

I would allocate more time to get from Selma to Montgomery so that you can stop at the visitor center partway along the National Trail.

Birmingham has a self guided Civil Rights trail through downtown.

Definitely plan to spend the full day at the Legacy Sites in Montgomery.

Thank you for mentioning the Visitor Center between Selma and Montgomery as well as the self-guided Civil Rights trail in Birmingham! I was not aware of them.
And, yes, we are dedicating a full day to the Legacy Sites.

My husband and I went to many of the places you'll be visiting and also to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. I am sure you realize that it will be an intense and emotional trip, It's helpful to build in some down time.

I agree 100%.

One particular bronze sculpture in Memphis was especially hard to see. I left not long after that.

I agree about down time to process what you are seeing. I was in Normandy last year with a small group tour and enjoyed most of the stops but I found it hard for me to process it all. The feelings were overwhelming. You are doing a lot of drive-bys (not a criticism) but you are seeing a lot. Consider the advice to build in some quiet/ down time if it's needed.

This is such a good point and we will make sure to build in downtime. Thank you!

Thank you for emphasizing this. We will look over our itinerary to build in downtime and process what we've taken in.