Things to Do at International Civil Rights Center & Museum

Complete Guide to International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro

About International Civil Rights Center & Museum

International Civil Rights Center & Museum offers visitors comprehensive exhibits across multiple floors with admission typically $15. Guided tours run hourly during peak season with knowledgeable local guides. The natural acoustics enhance the contemplative experience while climate-controlled galleries preserve delicate materials for an immersive educational experience. The facility serves as an important cultural hub for the local community, hosting events and educational programs throughout the year.

What to See & Do

Original Woolworth Lunch Counter

The actual lunch counter where the 1960 sit-ins began, preserved exactly as it was. You can sit on the stools and really feel the weight of that moment in history.

Hall of Shame and Hall of Fame

Two powerful exhibits that contrast those who opposed civil rights with those who championed them. It's sobering but important context for understanding the era.

Klan Theater Experience

An intense multimedia presentation that puts you inside a KKK rally - unsettling by design, but it gives you a visceral sense of what civil rights activists were up against.

Freedom Riders Bus

A restored Greyhound bus that tells the story of the Freedom Riders who challenged segregated public transportation across the South.

Passport to Freedom Interactive Journey

A self-guided experience where you follow the stories of different characters through key moments in civil rights history, making the broader movement feel personal and immediate.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm. Closed Mondays except for federal holidays. Last admission is typically one hour before closing.

Tickets & Pricing

Adults $15, seniors and students $12, children 6-12 $10, under 6 free. Group rates available for 10 or more. You can buy tickets online or at the door, though advance booking is recommended during peak times.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded, which gives you more space to really absorb the exhibits. School groups are common during the academic year, so summers might be quieter for adult visitors.

Suggested Duration

Plan on 2-3 hours minimum. The exhibits are dense with information and emotional content, so you'll likely want to take your time processing it all.

Getting There

The museum is right in downtown Greensboro at 134 South Elm Street, so it's pretty easy to find. If you're driving, there's metered street parking and several paid lots within a couple blocks. The Greensboro Transit Authority has bus routes that stop nearby, and if you're staying downtown, it's definitely walkable from most hotels. The building itself is hard to miss - it's a classic mid-century commercial building that still looks very much like the department store it once was.

Things to Do Nearby

Greensboro Historical Museum
About a 10-minute walk away, with exhibits on local history including more civil rights content and the story of Dolley Madison, who lived in Greensboro.

Center City Park
A nice green space right downtown where you can decompress after the intensity of the museum. Often has food trucks and small events.

Elm Street Arts District
The museum sits right in this walkable area filled with galleries, restaurants, and shops in restored historic buildings.

Carolina Theatre
A beautifully restored 1927 theater that hosts concerts, plays, and films just a few blocks from the museum.

Greensboro Science Center
About 15 minutes away by car, this is a good follow-up if you're traveling with kids and want something lighter after the museum.

Tips & Advice

The exhibits deal with heavy, emotionally challenging content - give yourself time to process and don't feel like you need to rush through everything in one visit.

The museum offers guided tours that can provide valuable context, but the self-guided experience is quite thorough if you prefer to go at your own pace.

Photography is allowed in most areas, but be respectful - this is essentially a memorial space for many visitors.

Consider combining your visit with a walk around downtown Greensboro to see how the area has evolved since 1960 - the contrast is part of the story.