Freedom Rides Museum
Freedom Rides Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
This small but powerful museum tells the story of the 1961 Freedom Rides that ended racial segregation in public transportation. It is located in Montgomery's former Greyhound Bus Station where student protesters faced a segregationist mob. Exterior exhibits trace the history of the rides and the pivotal events that happened in Montgomery. Interior exhibits include art, architecture, oral histories, and a video kiosk where Freedom Riders and others have told their story. Exterior exhibits and a cell phone tour are available 24/7 and are free. Small admission charged for interior exhibits during opening hours. Discount admission fees for groups of 10 or more booked in advance.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
163 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
41
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Jean H
Pleasant Prairie, WI288 contributions
Mar 2021
Anyone interested in preservation of history should appreciate the fact that when Greyhound closed this bus station in downtown Montgomery, Alabama to build a larger facility, the site was snatched up as prime real estate - for a Civil Rights Museum! It may be small, but it is well done, down to the mural showing the old buses lined up, and the recreation on the inside wall where the "Colored Entrance" used to be. In the main exhibit space the use of the ceiling as a timeline/route of the Freedom Ride is unique. Actual photos of the event add to the drama; let it not be lost on the viewer that the photos are in - you guessed it - Black and White.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JKW3
Livermore, CA781 contributions
Jan 2021
It's a small museum, but it's put together very well. We were greeted by Amelia, and she gave us a very good overview of the museum and of the history of the Freedom Rides. Another employee, Natalie, pointed out a section of the museum that we might have otherwise overlooked. Both gals were very nice and helpful and clearly passionate about sharing this important part of Civil Rights history.
Written 10 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry C
Cedarburg, WI351 contributions
Sept 2020
It's important to know this piece of history and to have a museum to hold the information for all, but the history is told almost completely with large descriptive panels and photos. There really are any items to be shown. If you're not interested in reading all the information, you will easily be bored.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flute18
Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN105 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
This remarkable little museum documents inside and out the story of selfless, brave and determined young students who rode the Freedom Rides to the segregated south, risking their lives.
It is definitely worthwhile visiting, and serves to inspire us of the work yet to be done.
Recommended for families of all ages.
It is definitely worthwhile visiting, and serves to inspire us of the work yet to be done.
Recommended for families of all ages.
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abroadwithashley
Minneapolis, MN1,723 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
This is a very quick museum. Essentially one room, but with a significant amount of information. It’s fantastic to be in the historical atmosphere and the preservation of the building (especially the tile) is appreciated. The museum information includes some connections to modern-day transportation struggles worldwide, but the highlight of our time was the quick introduction by the docent at the beginning. Truly a wealth of information and if you have any question at all about what you’re seeing, you won’t be turned away. A recommended stop in Montgomery.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN5,779 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
First, you can’t take photos. But that’s okay, this is mostly a factual museum.
Based in a former bus terminal associated with the freedom rides, it lays out the very important and dangerous protest piece by piece, over 10-15 worded tiles.
Most of the museum is words on a board, some photos, a few quotes, and some art exhibits. But the docents here are nice and helpful and it’s a great small adjunct to the other sites around Montgomery and the Civil Rights trail.
Based in a former bus terminal associated with the freedom rides, it lays out the very important and dangerous protest piece by piece, over 10-15 worded tiles.
Most of the museum is words on a board, some photos, a few quotes, and some art exhibits. But the docents here are nice and helpful and it’s a great small adjunct to the other sites around Montgomery and the Civil Rights trail.
Written 7 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan_from_Atlanta
Atlanta, GA1,266 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
The history of the Freedom Riders is integral to fully understanding the Civil Rights movement. While the museum is very small, there is plenty to learn and the staff is very helpful. Admission is $5.00. Hours: 11:00 am–4:00 pm Tuesday-Friday, and Noon-4:00 pm Saturday.
Exterior Exhibit: Always open
Exterior Exhibit: Always open
Written 22 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joni P
Atlanta, GA253 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
An old Greyhound bus terminal houses this small museum dedicated to Freedom riders in the 1960's. Very well informed staff. No photos allowed here because of copyright infringement issues, the staff told us.
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarmerRK
Moraga, CA634 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
The Freedom Rides Museum is located in the original Greyhound bus terminal. It is a small museum full of interesting material. The new director, Alexander Strickland, is very knowledgeable and friendly. It is impressive how a group of racially mixed college students had the courage to ride interstate buses from Washington to the South in 1961 to make sure that the decision of the US Supreme Court against banning segregated seating was was being complied with. The senior ticket is $4. It is impressive that this old bus terminal was saved and turned into a Museum. Definitely go and visit it.
Written 1 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wiganlass
UK62 contributions
Mar 2020
I was here a few days ago over from the UK and actually got to meet one of the Freedom Riders!! Listening to what this lady had to say felt like an honour. Looking at the images of both this lady along with her brother and father on the wall and knowing that you were stood in front of living history was amazing!! The museum staff were great too. Well worth a visit.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
About how long does it take to see the museum?
Written 27 January 2018
Inside, you can get a great tour in 20 minutes or delve in deeper, spending an hour. Exterior panels outside can take 10-15 minutes and give an overview of the history. Inside, the focus is on Freedom Riders personal stories and how segregated spaces worKed.
Written 30 January 2018
Is the Museum opened completely now? What are the days and hours and is there a cost for the tour?
Written 1 March 2016
CRJ1031
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Is this museum appropriate for young children? My son is 7 and is always asking me about Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks. I want to share history with him but don't want him frightened by photos
Written 14 January 2015
No frightening photos here, but I bet he'd enjoy the Rosa Parks Musuem just a few blocks away.
Written 21 January 2015
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