MLK day getaways ideas

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day

As the only federal holiday to also be designated a National Day of Service, Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) DayOpens in a new window encourages all to volunteer, to be of service, to think of and do for others. That inspiring sense of community bubbles over into a celebration of togetherness.

• 2025 MLK weekend in Miami. Book an amazing stay in Miami for MLK weekend 2025. When you hit town, head to the Memorial Park MLK parade for the live music, dance, and arts and crafts. Feast your way around the world at the food market and take part in one of the nation’s longest parades honoring this civil rights leader.
• Celebrate MLK weekend in Atlanta. At least once, you have to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King in his birthplace and visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site to walk in the footsteps of the great man. There’s plenty more to do in Atlanta while you’re there, too.
• Spend your MLK Day federal holiday in DC. At the very heart of democracy, MLK day in DC can’t be beat. Visit Martin Luther King’s memorial statue or join the annual Peace Walk and parade, inspired by the great man’s call to “keep moving forward.” Even if you miss out on an invitation to the official Memorial Breakfast, there are loads of great brunch spots in DC to go heavy on the pancakes.
• Head to the best national parks over MLK weekend. Entry to many of the national parks is free on MLK DayOpens in a new window-it's the first free day of the year, from Yosemite to Chalmette National Cemetery, Indiana to Santa Monica. To nurture the day’s purpose of service and duty, many parks and sites arrange community drives. Look out for litter walks, restoration sessions, clean-up flash mobs, headstone cleaning-all in the nation’s most beautiful places.
• Go large on MLK Day. The largest annual Martin Luther King March in the nation is in San Antonio, Texas. Trust the Texans to be the biggest! Over in California, San Diego’s famous parade lights up Harbor Drive with floats, bands, and color. For the biggest range of volunteer opportunitiesOpens in a new window, try Greater Philadelphia: build a homeless shelter, clean up parks, or join workshops to learn how you can volunteer all year.