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Civil Rights Journey: Birmingham's Hidden Stories
4.5
40 Ratings
Birmingham
Join Wilhelmina Thomas on an insightful black history tour of Birmingham, Alabama. Discover the true and devastating experiences of African Americans in the most segregated city in the country.
Join Wilhelmina Thomas on an insightful black history tour of Birmingham, Alabama. Discover the true and devastating experiences of African Americans in the most segregated city in the country.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Birmingham - The tour kicks off at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 20th Street North, moving along 20th Street towards 4th Avenue North, highlighting the significant Black contributions to Birmingham’s establishment.
- 4th Avenue North - This segment of the tour explores the 1926 Red Line Zoning laws, the historic Palm Leaf Hotel, and the…
- Birmingham - The tour kicks off at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 20th Street North, moving along 20th Street towards 4th Avenue North, highlighting the significant Black contributions to Birmingham’s establishment.
- 4th Avenue North - This segment of the tour explores the 1926 Red Line Zoning laws, the historic Palm Leaf Hotel, and the Chitlin’ Circuit.
- Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park - A park featuring statues dedicated to the local founder of The Temptations.
- 4th Avenue Business District - Discover the remnants of a once-thriving “city within a city,” with potential visits to Nelson Brothers and Green Acres.
- Civil Rights District - The heart of the Civil Rights National Historic Monument.
- Carver Theater - Renowned as one of the finest Black theaters, now home to the Jazz Hall of Fame, and also featuring the Prince Hall “Colored” Masonic Lodge.
- Kelly Ingram Park - An enhanced public park with powerful sculptures depicting Birmingham’s civil rights struggle, serving as a gathering place for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other movement groups.
- 16th Street Baptist Church - Located in Birmingham, Alabama, this church is a poignant symbol of the Civil Rights Movement, known for the tragic 1963 bombing that claimed the lives of four young girls. It stands as a testament to the ongoing fight for racial equality in the United States.
- A.G. Gaston Motel - Built by esteemed African American businessman Arthur George Gaston (1892-1996), this motel offered first-class lodging and dining to African American travelers in Birmingham, Alabama. Designed by local architect Stanley B. Echols, it opened in 1954.
- Lyric Theatre - The only remaining theater that permitted mixed, albeit segregated, audiences.
What's Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- All Fees and Taxes
Additional Information
This is not just a tour—it’s a journey through history.
Explore the streets of America’s most segregated city as they were experienced by those who lived through its most challenging and defining moments.
Your guide, Wilhelmina Thomas, is a storyteller, needlewoman, and “craftivist” who grew up in Birmingham’s Riley, Wenonah, and Hillman neighborhoods….
This is not just a tour—it’s a journey through history.
Explore the streets of America’s most segregated city as they were experienced by those who lived through its most challenging and defining moments.
Your guide, Wilhelmina Thomas, is a storyteller, needlewoman, and “craftivist” who grew up in Birmingham’s Riley, Wenonah, and Hillman neighborhoods. She attended schools that were pivotal in the city’s history: Wenonah Elementary, Riley Elementary, and Jones Valley High. Her earliest memories are intertwined with the church, the civic league, and the Civil Rights Movement.
This tour uncovers the reality behind the surface—the daily struggles, acts of defiance, and sacred spaces where ordinary people achieved extraordinary feats.
- Hear personal stories of life under Jim Crow
- Visit Kelly Ingram Park, the 16th Street Baptist Church, and other significant landmarks
- Reflect at sites of protest, pain, and perseverance
- Includes a complimentary “Witness Packet” digital download for direct bookings
They stood. We walk.
Location
285 20th St N
20th Street North
285 20th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35206 - on the SouthEast corner of 20th Street North and 3rd Avenue North...This is DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM - not Irondale (please check your GPS)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(40 Ratings)
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Madelin_w
Nov 16, 2025
This is an intimate... - This is an intimate walking tour of downtown Birmingham with a woman who has lived here her whole life. It’s extremely insightful and very powerful to see the actual locations where so many monumental historic events took place.
Review provided by Viator
Gunstand99
Sep 6, 2025
Highly recommend - We were in town just for the day and scheduled the tour for just her and Me. Our guide was fantastic, we saw and learned a lot. I would recommend scheduling if you are in the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Channing_d
Aug 17, 2025
Reopening our eyes - I was in Birmingham with my army son. We wanted to learn more about the city and found this civil rights experience. Being white, and from the north, we had learned much of this in school ... happy to say. However, the connections dim with time. Wilhelmina did a wonderful job explaining the perspective of life in Birmingham during that turbulent decade. She didn't learn the content from Chatgbt. She learned it from life. We appreciate her honest assessment, even on controversial topics. We talked about it several times during the next day. No higher compliment.
Review provided by Viator
Brian_r
Jul 14, 2025
Wilhamena is amazing - Wilhamena is extremely knowledgeable, and gave an amazing tour. She’s a Birmingham native and that really adds to the experience.
Review provided by Viator
Chrysanthia_c
Jul 9, 2025
Enlightening; Touching - It was leisure, friendly, welcoming, filled with a personal touch, quite informative, interchangeable and flexible. Couldn’t have had a better tour guide.
Review provided by Viator
Mrosell
Jun 28, 2025
If only have a few hours in Birmingham… - Very informative and thought provoking tour. Thank you Wilemma for sharing your story and expertise.
Review provided by Viator
Jonathandz6583iw
May 24, 2025
History of Birmingham - I am well pleased with the manner our guide demonstrated as we toured Birmingham the knowledge of the city’s history was amazing the impact of this day unforgettable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pioneer64335878399
Jul 26, 2025
1963 Birmingham tour - Unfortunately, I was the only person in the tour. It would have been nice to have others who I could have visited with and we could have shared experiences. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and we had an interesting conversation during the entire 90 minutes we were together.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marciano_p
Jan 25, 2026
Waste of money - Tour operator doesn’t reply. Weather was extremely cold and rainy on the day of tour. Wanted to know if tour was pushing through. No reply. I hope Viator gives me a refund
Review provided by Viator
Alexandra_k
Nov 25, 2025
Tour was canceled hours before and no refund provided. - This tour looked great, but has been nothing but a hassle every since booking it on Viator. I booked the tour a day or two in advance in September, and a few hours before the tour, was sent an email that said unfortunately they can't do the tour and provided the options to reschedule or get a refund. Things happen, people get sick, so it was disappointing, but it happens. I reached out to request a refund as I was headed out of town the next day and not able to reschedule. I never heard back. I reached out multiple times over email regarding my refund. Again, no response. I called and spoke with Wolfgang, he answered my call, said he couldn't figure it out on his side, but that he would call me back with an update. Never got a call. I emailed to follow up. Again, no response. It has been 2 months and no refund. Overall just a bad experience and poor customer service. The tour may be great (I don't actually know), but can absolutely say the service and communication is poor and would not book with them, as it can be canceled and you are out for money.
Review provided by Viator
