Amtrak Vacations
Atlanta, Nashville, and the Great Smoky Mountains Roundtrip New Orleans
Rail and car road trip from New Orleans to the Smoky Mountains
7 daysfrom $1,559
29% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Atlanta, Nashville, and the Great Smoky Mountains Roundtrip New York City
Rail and car road trip from New York City to the Smokies
Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day independent rail and car vacation that starts and ends in New York City. The Crescent carries travelers overnight by train to Atlanta, where an included rental car takes over for a loop through Nashville, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. In Pigeon Forge, a guided sightseeing tour travels through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road, and up the Foothills Parkway. After a day back in Atlanta, the Crescent runs overnight again to New York City. It suits travelers who want a mix of overnight rail travel, a self-driven road trip, and Nashville's music history, with time built in to explore Atlanta on both ends of the loop.
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, 6 nights of hotel accommodations, and 2 nights onboard Amtrak are covered.
- Most of the trip between Atlanta and the Great Smoky Mountains, including the drives to Nashville, Chattanooga, and Pigeon Forge, 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
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Make your way to Penn Station in New York City today where you'll board Amtrak's Crescent route and start your adventure!
- Day 2overnight: Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Arrive in Atlanta this morning and pick up your car rental then head over to your hotel. The day is yours to explore the city.
- Day 3overnight: 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.
- Day 4overnight: 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.
- Day 5overnight: 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.
- Day 6overnight: 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.
- Day 7overnight: Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Continuing exploring Pigeon Forge before making your way back to Atlanta. Settle into your hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Atlanta, GA
Spend the day exploring Atlanta before taking the train back to New York City in the evening.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in New York City
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Crescent departs Penn Station in New York City for an overnight train ride to Atlanta.
- Day 3The drive to Nashville stops in Chattanooga, set on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
- Day 4A 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 6A guided sightseeing tour into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park travels through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road, and up the Foothills Parkway.
- Day 8After a day exploring Atlanta, the Crescent departs in the evening for the overnight ride back to New York City.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Atlanta onboard the Crescent®
- 7-day midsize car rental
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach class overnight travel between New York City and Atlanta on the Crescent, with the rest of the trip by an included rental car.
- Is it an overnight train?
- Yes. The Crescent runs overnight both ways, with 2 nights onboard Amtrak included in the package: Day 1 to Atlanta, and Day 8 back to New York City.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation, with free time in Atlanta on Days 2 and 8 and in Nashville on Day 4, plus one included guided sightseeing tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Day 6.
- Which train is used?
- The Crescent, roundtrip between New York City 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 not included?
- No meals are listed as included in this package.
