Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Atlanta, Nashville, and the Great Smoky Mountains Roundtrip New Orleans

Rail and car road trip from New Orleans to the Smoky Mountains

Atlanta, Nashville, and the Great Smoky Mountains Roundtrip New Orleans, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 7-day independent rail and car vacation that starts and ends in New Orleans. The Crescent carries travelers by train through the Bayous to Atlanta, where an included rental car takes over for the rest of the route. The drive to Nashville passes through Chattanooga on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and a full free day in Nashville includes admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B, plus a stroll down Broadway for live country music. From Nashville the route continues to Pigeon Forge, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where a guided sightseeing tour travels through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road, and up the Foothills Parkway. The trip then returns to Atlanta to catch the train back to New Orleans. It suits travelers who want a mix of scenic rail travel, a self-driven road trip, and Nashville's music history.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes a choice of 17 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, so the exact hotel in Atlanta and Nashville depends on which option you select when booking.
  • No meals are included in this package; only the train travel, a 7-day midsize car rental, and 6 nights of hotel accommodations are covered.
  • Most of the trip after Atlanta, including the drives to Nashville, Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains, is by rental car rather than train.
  • No current departure dates are listed in this package's details; confirm exact travel dates with Amtrak Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Atlanta

    Your Journey Begins in New Orleans

    Enjoy a scenic train ride from New Orleans through the Bayous as you make your way to Atlanta. In Atlanta, pick up your included car rental then head over to your hotel to settle in for the night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nashville

    Nashville, TN

    Today, with your included car rental take a scenic drive to Nashville. Along the way, stop at Chattanooga, set on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nashville

    Nashville, TN

    Explore Nashville at your leisure. Included is admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA studio B. Take a stroll down Broadway where live country music fills the streets.

  4. Day 4overnight: Pigeon Forge

    Pigeon Forge, TN

    Make your way to Pigeon Forge today. Nestled in the Mountains in Eastern Tennessee, this is your gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

  5. Day 5overnight: Pigeon Forge

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

    Included today is a guided sightseeing tour that will take you into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Travel through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road and up the Foothills Parkway, one of the most scenic drives.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Atlanta

    Atlanta, GA

    Continuing exploring Pigeon Forge before making your way back to Atlanta for the night. Tomorrow morning, you'll catch the train and return to New Orleans.

  7. Day 7

    Your Journey Ends in New Orleans

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Crescent train travels from New Orleans through the Bayous on the way to Atlanta, where you pick up your included rental car.
  • Day 2The drive to Nashville stops in Chattanooga, set on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
  • Day 3A free day in Nashville includes admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B, plus a stroll down Broadway for live country music.
  • Day 5A guided sightseeing tour into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park travels through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road, and up the Foothills Parkway.

Included

  • Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New Orleans to Atlanta onboard the Crescent®
  • 7-day midsize car rental
  • 6 nights' hotel accommodations

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach class travel from New Orleans to Atlanta on the Crescent. The rest of the trip, to Nashville, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains, is by an included rental car.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation, with free time in Nashville on Day 3 and Pigeon Forge on Day 6, plus one included guided sightseeing tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Day 5.
Which train is used?
The Crescent, roundtrip between New Orleans and Atlanta in Coach class.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 17 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including Atlanta properties such as the Hilton Atlanta and Indigo Atlanta Downtown, and Nashville properties such as the Conrad Nashville and Gaylord Opryland Resort.
What is included besides the train and hotels?
A 7-day midsize car rental and 6 nights of hotel accommodations, plus admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B in Nashville and a guided Great Smoky Mountains sightseeing tour.
What is not included?
No meals are listed as included in this package.

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