Selma, Alabama is located 50 miles west of Montgomery via US-80 West — a 50-minute drive that retraces the historic route of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, one of the defining moments of the American civil rights movement. The highway itself carries National Park Service designation as part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, and interpretive markers line US-80 at several points along the route.
The Edmund Pettus Bridge is the central destination: a six-span steel arch bridge that carries US-80 across the Alabama River on the western edge of downtown Selma. On March 7, 1965 — known as Bloody Sunday — 600 civil rights marchers attempting to walk from Selma to Montgomery were violently stopped by state troopers on the bridge. The event and its televised images galvanized national support for voting rights legislation, leading directly to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bridge is freely accessible at all hours; pedestrians may walk its full span.
The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute on Water Avenue, adjacent to the foot of the bridge, interprets the marches and their political context through firsthand accounts, photographs, and artifacts. Admission is approximately $8 per adult. The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail's interpretive center, administered by the National Park Service at 2 Broad Street, provides free exhibits and occasional ranger-led programming.
Brown Chapel AME Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Street — the organizational center for the 1965 marches — is open to visitors and free of charge. The church and its grounds function as a living memorial to the movement's Selma phase. Sturdivant Hall, an 1853 antebellum mansion on Mabry Street, operates as a house museum reflecting the city's 19th-century history and provides a historical counterpoint to the civil rights sites.
Lunch options in Selma are limited; Lannie's BBQ Spot at 2115 Minter Avenue serves Alabama-style smoked barbecue and has operated for decades. Visitors often find the return drive along US-80 East, with its interpretive stops, as historically enriching as the sites in Selma itself.
How to get there
- Car (50 minutes)
- No public transit option recommended
Location
Selma, Alabama (departing from Montgomery)
32.4073, -87.0211 View on map
Highlights
- Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the Bloody Sunday attack on voting rights marchers on March 7, 1965, freely accessible year-round
- National Voting Rights Museum and Institute on Water Avenue, with firsthand accounts and photographs from the 1965 marches
- Brown Chapel AME Church, the organizational center for the Selma to Montgomery marches and a National Historic Landmark
- Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail NPS interpretive center at 2 Broad Street, with free exhibits and ranger programming
- Sturdivant Hall, an 1853 antebellum mansion on Mabry Street now operating as a historic house museum
Tips for visiting
- Drive the US-80 route from Montgomery to Selma itself — interpretive markers along the highway add context before arriving at the bridge
- March 7 (Bloody Sunday anniversary) draws national commemoration events including the annual bridge crossing — check the NPS website for the program schedule
- The NPS interpretive center at 2 Broad Street is free; the Voting Rights Museum charges a small admission fee of around $8
- Lunch options in Selma are sparse — Lannie's BBQ Spot on Minter Avenue is the most established local choice
- Combine with a visit to Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery before departing, as it connects the broader civil rights geography of both cities
When to visit
The annual Bloody Sunday Commemoration in early March (around March 7) brings organized events and national figures to the bridge and Brown Chapel, making it the most historically significant time to visit. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable walking temperatures for exploring the historic district.
Accessibility
The Edmund Pettus Bridge pedestrian walkway has a gradual incline with an uneven surface that is manageable for most mobility devices. The NPS interpretive center at 2 Broad Street is wheelchair accessible. The Voting Rights Museum has limited interior accessibility; calling ahead to confirm ramp access is recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Edmund Pettus Bridge accessible to visitors year-round?
Yes — the bridge is an active part of US-80 and pedestrians may walk across it at any time. There is no fee and no restricted access period, though a guide or ranger program adds significant context to the visit.
What is the historical significance of the Selma to Montgomery march?
The 1965 marches were organized to demand voting rights for Black Americans in Alabama, where local registrars systematically denied Black voter registration. The violence on Bloody Sunday and two subsequent marches led directly to President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Is Selma worth a full day trip from Montgomery?
Selma's civil rights sites — the bridge, Brown Chapel, the Voting Rights Museum, and the NPS interpretive center — can fill three to five hours for visitors engaged with the history. Adding Sturdivant Hall rounds out a full day.
Are there restaurants in Selma?
Selma's dining options are limited. Lannie's BBQ Spot on Minter Avenue is the most established local restaurant. Consider having an early meal in Montgomery before departing or bringing food, as options along US-80 are sparse.
When is the best time to visit Selma?
The annual Bloody Sunday Commemoration in early March brings civil rights leaders and organized events to the bridge and Brown Chapel, making it the most historically resonant time. Spring and fall offer the best walking temperatures for the historic district year-round.