Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Blues and the Bayou Roundtrip from Chicago

Roundtrip rail journey from Chicago to Memphis and New Orleans

Blues and the Bayou Roundtrip from Chicago, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 8-day independent rail vacation round trip from Chicago through Memphis and New Orleans. The City of New Orleans departs Chicago in the evening for an overnight ride to Memphis, where two nights include free time on Beale Street and a narrated sightseeing tour that takes in Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, the Peabody Hotel, and Sun Studios. The train continues south the next morning through the musical crossroads of Mississippi to New Orleans for three nights. There, a jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters restaurant leads into a citywide tour of the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the city's historic cemeteries, followed by a scenic boat trip through the swamp and bayou to see alligators and other Louisiana wildlife. The trip ends with an overnight train ride back to Chicago. It suits travelers drawn to Southern music history who want the whole round trip covered by train.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes a choice of 18 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, so the exact hotel in Chicago and Memphis depends on which option you select when booking.
  • Only 1 meal (a brunch) is included; a dinner at a popular restaurant is substituted when the New Orleans brunch is unavailable.
  • The swamp and bayou tour may be substituted with a Battlefield Cruise aboard a paddlewheel boat.
  • No current departure dates are listed in this package's details; confirm exact travel dates with Amtrak Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Your Journey Begins in Chicago

    This evening you will board Amtrak's iconic City of New Orleans train route for your trip south to Memphis.

  2. Day 2overnight: Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    Welcome to Memphis! Your journey begins along the Mississippi River in the City of Elvis. After arriving this morning, travel on your own to your downtown hotel and enjoy free time exploring the sights and sounds of this festive city. Looking for something to do? Ride the downtown trolley to Beale Street, which is full of tasty barbeque restaurants and bluesy live music venues.

  3. Day 3overnight: Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    Today you will enjoy a sightseeing city tour of Memphis, including a trip out to Graceland! On this narrated tour, you'll discover all the amazing sights the Birthplace of Blues has to offer, like the Mighty Mississippi, Beale Street, St. Jude Children's Hospital, the Peabody Hotel, Sun Studios, downtown Memphis and more! Your tour of Graceland will allow you to get up close and personal to the very things Elvis, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll," cherished. You will get a taste of the King's fascinating life. Your tour also includes a stop in the serene Meditation Garden, the final resting place of Elvis and his parents.

  4. Day 4overnight: New Orleans

    Memphis to New Orleans

    This morning you will board Amtrak for your trip down to the Birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans! Enjoy the gorgeous Southern scenery as you travel through the history-laden musical crossroads of Mississippi to the Big Easy. Upon arrival, you will travel to your downtown hotel in the "Big Easy." Feel free to start exploring the city if you desire.

  5. Day 5overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Start the day with a jazz brunch at the famous Court of Two Sisters restaurant (dinner at a popular restaurant is included when brunch is unavailable). After your brunch serenade, you'll get to see all New Orleans has to offer on a citywide tour. Absorb the sights and sounds of the world famous French Quarter and historic Jackson Square. Explore the city's remarkable cemeteries or "Cities of the Dead." Hear fascinating tales of voodoo and piracy on Bayou St. John, the waterway used by Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates, as you make your way to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. View the longest bridge over water in the world, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and much more.

  6. Day 6overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Experience the timeless beauty of Southern Louisiana like no other on a scenic boat trip through the serene swamp and bayou. Hear all about the fascinating mysteries of the swamps, bayous, and the Cajun "joie de vivre." Observe the distinct beauty of the Louisiana bayous, the home to many species of animals and plant-life.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    This afternoon, board Amtrak for your trip on to Chicago. As the train winds its way north, reflect on your unique and exciting experiences in Memphis and New Orleans.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Chicago

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The City of New Orleans departs Chicago in the evening for the overnight ride south to Memphis.
  • Day 2Arrival in Memphis leaves free time to ride the downtown trolley to Beale Street for barbeque restaurants and bluesy live music.
  • Day 3A narrated sightseeing tour of Memphis visits Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, Beale Street, St. Jude Children's Hospital, the Peabody Hotel, and Sun Studios.
  • Day 5A jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters restaurant precedes a citywide tour of the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the city's historic cemeteries.
  • Day 6A scenic boat trip through the swamp and bayou reveals the distinct beauty of the Louisiana bayous and its animal and plant life.

Included

  • Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Memphis; Memphis to New Orleans; and New Orleans to Chicago on the City of New Orleans®
  • 5 nights' hotel accommodations, 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
  • 1 meal included (1 brunch); dinner at a popular restaurant substituted when brunch in New Orleans is unavailable

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach class travel on the City of New Orleans between Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans.
Is it an overnight train?
Yes. The train runs overnight both ways, with 2 nights onboard Amtrak included: Day 1 from Chicago to Memphis, and Day 7 from New Orleans back to Chicago.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with free time in Memphis and New Orleans, plus a guided Memphis city tour with Graceland admission on Day 3, a New Orleans citywide tour on Day 5, and a guided swamp and bayou boat tour on Day 6.
Which train is used?
The City of New Orleans, roundtrip between Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans in Coach class.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including Chicago properties such as the Palmer House Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Chicago, and Memphis properties such as The Peabody Memphis.
What is not included?
Only 1 meal (a brunch, or substituted dinner) is included; other meals are on your own.

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