One Day in Selma, Alabama: The Perfect Itinerary

Planning one day in Selma, Alabama? This guide covers the must-see civil rights landmarks, where to eat, and how to structure your day, whether you’re visiting from Montgomery or passing through the Deep South.

Selma is a crucial stop for anyone interested in taking a deeper, more honest look at the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. 

We visited Selma on a day trip from Montgomery, not fully sure what to expect, and left feeling like it was one of the most important stops of our entire trip.

If you only have the day, it’s enough time to get an overview of the city’s history, which is now known as the epicenter of voting rights. 

Is one day in Selma enough?

One day in Selma is enough to see the city’s most important civil rights landmarks and get a meaningful introduction to its history.

You’ll have time to visit the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and stop by Brown Chapel AME Church. You can even make it out to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park before the end of the day.

Even a short visit can feel impactful.

How to Spend One Day in Selma

You can spend one day in Selma like this:

• Start at the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute.
• Walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
• Stop by Brown Chapel AME Church.
• Eat lunch at Lannie’s Bar-B-Q Spot.
• Visit the Jackson House Historic Site.
• See the historic homes of Fairoaks Square.
• Explore Old Cahawba Archeological Park.

Why Selma Matters: A Brief History Before You Go

Selma is best known for its role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, particularly as the starting point for the Selma to Montgomery marches.

The first, on March 7, 1965, became known as Bloody Sunday after state and local police violently attacked peaceful protestors on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. John Lewis was in that group.

Later that month, Martin Luther King, Jr., led a second march to the bridge. Facing another police blockade, he chose to lead the group in prayer before turning back to avoid further violence.

The third march began on March 21, this time under federal protection. Around 2,000 people set out from Selma, escorted by the U.S. Army and Alabama National Guard.

By the time they reached Montgomery on March 25, their numbers had grown to nearly 50,000.

Momentum from these events helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Congress approved it in July 1965, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law on August 6. The legislation banned literacy tests and added oversight of voter registration.

All of this started in Selma. Understanding that history adds weight to every stop on this itinerary, especially when you walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge yourself.

One Day in Selma Itinerary

We visited Selma on a day trip from Montgomery. You can get there in under an hour, but you’ll need a car to do so. If you’re doing the same, grab a quick breakfast or coffee and head out for your day. You have lots to see! 

Stop 1: National Voting Rights Museum and Institute

All Selma tours should begin at the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute. It’s a modest museum loaded with information chronicling the struggle over voting rights for Black Americans.

Call ahead if you’re visiting Friday-Sunday, as visits on those days are by appointment only.  

Fun fact: Civil Rights Memorial Park on the other side of the street is a great place to stretch your legs if you want to take a walk after your visit. You’ll see monuments dedicated to leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Access trails along the Alabama River from here.

For more learning, the Ancient Africa, Enslavement, and Civil War Museum is a companion museum to this one. It was being renovated during our trip, but presents a history of Black Americans through the Civil War.

Stop 2: Edmund Pettus Bridge

The Edmund Pettus Bridge connects the museum to downtown Selma. The National Historic Landmark is the site of the Bloody Sunday conflict of 1965. A plaque on the bridge walking from downtown gives you a brief history of that fact.

You can walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge in about 10 minutes from end to end. It’s an active roadway bridge, so if you want to take pictures in the street, exercise caution.

Otherwise, there are pedestrian paths on either side to safely get you from one end to the other.

I’m always grateful for learning something I didn’t know before, but learning about who the bridge is named after was a tough one.

The bridge is named after Edmund Pettus. Pettus was a Confederate general, U.S. senator, and Grand Dragon in the Alabama Ku Klux Klan.

Yep, a bridge that holds so much meaning for so many, a pilgrimage site for so many still involved in equal voting rights, is named after a KKK leader. I can’t make this stuff up.

Stop 3: Brown Chapel AME Church

Head over the bridge and continue along the civil rights trail here in Selma.

Pass by the Selma Interpretive Center, a Selma tourism center with limited exhibits and informational materials, if you want an overview of downtown Selma.

Otherwise, head straight to Brown Chapel AME Church. This Baptist church was the starting point and site of planning work for the 1965 marches. It was under construction during our visit, so we had to check it out with all the scaffolding. 

You’ll see a bust of Dr. King out front and a commemorative plaque. It’s well worth a stop, even if it’s a quick one.

Note: If you have more time, you’ll likely pass the Old Depot Museum on your way to the church. It’s a worthwhile stop just to take in from the outside if you can’t visit, as it’s on the Water Avenue Historic District National Register of Historic Places. 

Stop 4: Lunch

Selma has limited options for lunch. The city has been hit hard over the years, which only makes it feel even more important that you stick around and patronize the options that do exist. 

We wanted to try The Sandbar, a casual spot on the Alabama River, but they were closed for maintenance when we got there.

If you’re interested in checking it out, follow instructions on the road signage to keep going rather than following your phone maps. You don’t want to end up in the river. 

That lunch fail took us to Lannie’s Bar-B-Q Spot, instead. There are two locations. Head to Minter Avenue if you want to try out the original. Lannie’s is takeout only, so you’re here for some car-b-que. 

Try the catfish sandwich if you want a taste of what they’re known for. It was dripping in hot sauce and mustard and served up on soggy slices of white bread. I mean that in the best way. The ribs weren’t great, unfortunately, but the corn nuggets were a delight.

READ MORE: If you love barbecue, you’ll want to spend a weekend in Memphis.

Stop 5: Jackson House Historic Site

We only did a drive-by of this one as I never got an answer on their contact form for a public tour.

The house, which technically goes by the Jackson Foundation and Museum, Inc., was an important planning hub for the Selma marches. Dr. King stayed in the house during that time. 

I’d love to return to Selma just to take another crack at visiting this one!

Stop 6: Fairoaks Square

Make a quick visit to Fairoaks Square, a series of restored cottages that were near demolition when they were saved in the 1980s. We were only able to count six as we wandered the block, but they’re very cute and architecturally unique. 

The nearby Henderson House, a mansion under new ownership that will be used to host events at some point in the future, is also worth a look. It’s all part of the Old Town Historic District. 

Note: If you have more time, you’ll be near the Sturdivant Hall Museum from here. We only caught it from the outside, but if you time things right for a tour, you can plan a tour of the Greek Revival mansion.

Stop 7: Old Cahawba Archeological Park

Finish off your visit outside of town at the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Alabama’s first state capital and home to all kinds of ghost town vibes. It’ll take you about 20 minutes to get there from Selma’s downtown area.

Also known as Cahaba, the ruins of the former town are best experienced with a map from the visitor’s center. Otherwise, you may not know what you’re looking at, even though there is some interpretive signage throughout.

Start at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and walk into what remains of the old downtown, a hub of activity in the 1820s. Stop at the Barker Slave Quarters and one of the only homes that weren’t demolished.

I assume that’s because someone was still living there in 1995. The plaque out front tells the story of a woman with long roots in the town, but that’s all I’ve been able to find about her. 

We walked around the sites for about an hour, finishing up at the slave burial ground. A trail through the remaining markers includes a Black servant from more recent times.

It was sad to see the lack of upkeep here, something I hope staff remedy soon as they continue archaeological efforts in the area.  

READ MORE: We love places with generations of history. Go even further back with a trip to Iowa’s Devonian Fossil Gorge.

You can certainly spend more time here. As it was getting late, we hit the road after the ghost town to head back to Montgomery. With more time, you can hit trails that take you off the beaten path in the park. 

Fun fact: If you stay longer, dinner at the Tally-Ho Restaurant, a steakhouse only open in the evenings, seems like the right thing to do.