On-Site at Elevation Convening Center & Hotel

• AYA Soulful Dining: Signature restaurant offering bold, soulful Black Southern cuisine with West African and Caribbean influences. Open daily: breakfast/lunch 6:30 AM–2 PM; dinner 5–9 PM. Reservations recommended via Resy. Perfect for a reflective meal near the Legacy Sites.
  https://www.ayasoulfuldining.com/ or https://www.elevationhotel.com/dining.htm
• Elevation Café: Quick-serve spot for locally roasted coffee, fresh baked goods, sandwiches, snacks, and light bites. Open daily 6:30 AM–9 PM—ideal for casual meals or breaks.
  https://www.elevationhotel.com/elevation-café.htm
• Enjoy the hotel’s art gallery, theater, research spaces, and fitness center for downtime and reflection.

Civil Rights & Legacy Sites (Mostly Walkable or Very Short Distance) These are the highlights and pair beautifully with your stay at Elevation (intentionally designed by EJI to complement them)

• Legacy Museum (From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration): Powerful, immersive exhibits. Timed tickets recommended. ~4–14 minutes walk.
  https://legacysites.eji.org/
• National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Lynching Memorial): Contemplative outdoor sculpture memorial. ~4 minutes away.
  https://legacysites.eji.org/
• Freedom Monument Sculpture Park: Newer outdoor sculptures; free shuttle or short boat ride from downtown/river area.
  https://legacysites.eji.org/visit/ (free shuttles run every 15 minutes between sites)
• Rosa Parks Library and Museum (Troy University): Interactive exhibits on the bus boycott. ~6 minutes walk.
  https://www.troy.edu/rosaparks/
• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Dexter Parsonage Museum: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s first pastorate and home. ~15 minutes walk.
  https://www.dexterkingmemorial.org/
• Civil Rights Memorial Center (Southern Poverty Law Center): Maya Lin-designed memorial. Short walk downtown.
  https://www.splcenter.org/civil-rights-memorial
• Freedom Rides Museum: Historic Greyhound station site. Nearby downtown (~7–10 minutes).
  https://experiencemontgomeryal.org/listing/freedom-rides-museum/698/
• Alabama State Capitol: Site of the Selma-to-Montgomery March’s end; free tours often available. Short walk.
  https://ahc.alabama.gov/alabama-state-capitol.aspx

Free shuttles connect many EJI sites. Book Legacy Sites tickets in advance. Other Nearby Attractions

• Riverfront Park & Alabama River: Scenic walks, events, and views—great for evening strolls (if not too hot). Short walk or quick ride.
  https://experiencemontgomeryal.org/things-to-do/attractions/downtown-riverwalk/
• Old Alabama Town: Restored 19th-century historic village. Nearby downtown area.
• Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts: Art collections in a park setting (short rideshare, ~10–15 minutes).
  https://mmfa.org/

A Bit Farther but Worth It (Short Ride)

• Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum: Animals, train/sky lift, and indoor exhibits—good air-conditioned option. ~15–20 minutes by rideshare.
  https://www.montgomeryzoo.com/
• Hank Williams Museum: Country music history (he’s buried nearby). Short ride.
  https://www.hankwilliamsmuseum.com/
• Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum: Literary history. Short ride.

For bundled attraction passes covering multiple sites (including some museums and the zoo), check

1. https://experiencemontgomeryal.org/things-to-do/
2. Full tourism guide: https://experiencemontgomeryal.org/things-to-do/
3. Hotel’s Legacy Sites page: https://www.elevationhotel.com/legacy-sites.htm

Restaurant Recommendations (Including On-Site and Nearby)

• On-Site:
  • AYA Soulful Dining (as above) — Refined, heritage-inspired Southern/African/Caribbean fusion. Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with skyline views.
  • Elevation Café — Casual coffee, sandwiches, and bites all day.
• Very Nearby/Downtown (Short Walk or 5–10 Minute Rideshare):
  • Little Donkey (next to Legacy Museum): Mexican-soul food fusion—tacos, fried chicken, fajitas, etc. Casual and popular.
    https://thelittledonkey.com/
  • Martha’s Place: Traditional Southern soul food (highly rated on Tripadvisor near Elevation). Affordable American/Southern classics.
  • Other downtown options: Central (modern Southern/creative dishes), The House Restaurant (Southern flavors in entertainment district), SaZa Serious Italian, or Wintzell’s Oyster House (seafood). Many are in or near The Alley/Riverfront area.

Transportation Details

Downtown and Legacy Sites are highly walkable from Elevation, especially the core history trail along Dexter Avenue and Court Street. Here’s how to get around:

• Walking: Best for nearby sites (Legacy Museum, National Memorial, Rosa Parks Museum, etc.). Comfortable shoes recommended; use shaded routes or early/late times.
• Rideshares: Uber and Lyft are widely available and convenient for the zoo, farther restaurants, or airport. Quick and affordable for short hops.
• Public Transit:
  • The M (Montgomery Transit): Fixed-route buses and The M Micro-Transit (on-demand ride-sharing service covering downtown, airport, and key areas like the Riverwalk). Download the app or check routes at https://themtransit.com/ or https://themtransit.com/microtransit/. Useful for broader exploration.
• Free Shuttles: EJI/Legacy Sites offer free shuttles between their locations (every 15 minutes). Some river boat options to the Sculpture Park.
• Taxis/Limos: Available; hotel can assist. Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) is ~10–15 minutes away with rideshare/taxi options on-site.
• Rental Cars: Not essential for downtown but useful for the zoo or day trips. Parking is available at many sites and the hotel.
• Other: Private shuttles or charters (e.g., Montgomery Minibus Company) for groups if needed.

General transportation info:

1. https://experiencemontgomeryal.org/plan-your-visit/transportation/
2. https://www.montgomeryal.gov/visitors/getting-around

Practical Tips

• Events: Check closer to your dates for pop-up concerts, performances at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, or Alabama Shakespeare Festival shows. Note a possible Buckmasters Expo (outdoor/hunting-related) around mid-August at the convention center—confirm via https://experiencemontgomeryal.org/events/ or Buckmasters site. No major conflicts noted yet, but workshops and smaller events may appear.
• Visitor Resources: Download the Montgomery visitor guide or visit the center. Hotel staff can help with reservations/shuttles.
• Planning: Book Legacy Sites and popular restaurants early. Use the hotel’s reflective spaces after visits.

Your stay at Elevation offers a seamless blend of convenience, history, and thoughtful hospitality right in the heart of Montgomery’s story.