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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Jazz Blues and Rock n Roll

9-day Amtrak rail trip from Chicago to New Orleans via Memphis

Illustration of Jazz Blues and Rock n Roll

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation through the American South's music history, running from Chicago to New Orleans by way of Memphis. Two nights in Chicago open the trip with a multi-day hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour and an included dinner, before Amtrak's City of New Orleans carries travelers overnight to Memphis in coach seating. Memphis brings a narrated city tour that takes in Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Studio, and the Mighty Mississippi, followed by another Amtrak journey south through Mississippi to New Orleans. In New Orleans, the trip includes a jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters, a city tour of the French Quarter and historic cemeteries, and a paddlewheel boat cruise along the river. Free time is built into most days, with travelers making their own way between stations and hotels. The trip suits music-minded travelers who want a straightforward point-to-point route through Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans without a large group.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight Amtrak segment from Chicago to Memphis is in coach seating, not a private sleeper cabin, per the trip's included-items list.
  • The New Orleans brunch is sometimes substituted with a dinner at a popular restaurant in Chicago when brunch is unavailable, per the included-meals note.
  • Travelers make their own way to the station and hotel on some days, including arrival in Memphis on day 4 and departure to the station on day 6, consistent with the trip's independent-travel format.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Overnight in Chicago

    Your Journey Begins in Chicago

    Welcome to Chicago! Upon arrival, explore the Windy City on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour covering 13 magnificent miles of this amazing city, making it the best way to visit all the top attractions and destinations. Hop-off at any of the stops along the tour to enjoy the sights at your leisure. Later in the day, explore the city on your own. We suggest taking a walk down Magnificent Mile.

  2. Day 2overnight: Overnight in Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Continue your sightseeing tour on your multi-day tour. Be sure to stop by the iconic attractions Chicago has to offer, like the Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, 360 Chicago, and much more. Dinner this evening at a popular restaurant in Chicago is included.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Overnight onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Travel to the station and board Amtrak's City of New Orleans for a relaxing overnight trip down South to Memphis. Your journey on this train route takes you through the heart of our nation's musical heritage - from Chicago with its world-class Chicago Symphony Orchestra and still vibrant electric blues scene, to Beale Street in Memphis and the home of Elvis, the King of Rock N Roll.

  4. Day 4overnight: Overnight in Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    You'll arrive in Memphis early in the morning. Travel on your own to your hotel, which is located in the heart of downtown. Today you'll have some free time to explore the sights and sounds of this musical city. If you're looking for places to go, check out the music scene on Beale Street or head to the Peabody Hotel to see the famous ducks.

  5. Day 5overnight: Overnight in Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    Today, enjoy a tour of Memphis, including the iconic Graceland. This narrated tour will help you discover downtown, the Mighty Mississippi, Beale Street, Peabody Hotel, Sun Studio, and many more wonderful attractions! On your Graceland tour, you'll get up close and personal to the things Elvis cherished most in the world and truly get a glimpse of his life at Graceland. Stop in the Meditation Garden to see the final resting place of Elvis and his parents.

  6. Day 6overnight: Overnight in New Orleans

    Memphis to New Orleans

    Travel on your own to the station and board Amtrak to New Orleans. Take in the Southern scenery as you travel the history-laden musical roads of Mississippi to New Orleans - the birthplace of jazz. Upon your arrival, you will travel to your hotel, where you can settle in for the night or start exploring this lovely city.

  7. Day 7

    New Orleans, LA

    Start the day with a jazz brunch at the famous Court of Two Sisters restaurant. After a leisurely morning, you'll set off for your included New Orleans city tour. Absorb the sights and sounds of the world-famous French Quarter and historic Jackson Square. Explore the historic cemeteries, often referred to as "Cities of the Dead". Marvel at the fascinating stories of voodoo and piracy on Bayou St. John, the waterway used by Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates. View the longest bridge over water in the world, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and much more. (Overnight in New Orleans) B R

  8. Day 8overnight: Overnight in New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Enjoy a Battlefield Cruise and take in the picturesque sights of New Orleans and the French Quarter from a unique vantage point: the outside deck of an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat! Take in the amazing views of the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans from the river as the boat's captain entertains you with a detailed narration of New Orleans landmarks, history and river lore. Disembark at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.

  9. Day 9

    Your Holiday Ends in New Orleans

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Amtrak's City of New Orleans carries the trip overnight from Chicago to Memphis, tracing the country's blues and rock and roll heritage.
  • Day 5A narrated Memphis tour visits Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Studio, and the Mighty Mississippi.
  • Day 6Amtrak carries the trip from Memphis to New Orleans through the musical landscape of Mississippi, arriving in the birthplace of jazz.
  • Day 7A jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters restaurant leads into a city tour of the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the historic cemeteries known as the Cities of the Dead.
  • Day 8A Battlefield Cruise aboard an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat takes in the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans from the river.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Memphis and Memphis to New Orleans onboard the City of New Orleans® 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak 2 meals included (1 dinner, 1 brunch*) * Dinner at a popular restaurant substituted when brunch in New Orleans is unavailable.

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, one-way Amtrak coach travel is included from Chicago to Memphis and Memphis to New Orleans aboard the City of New Orleans, including one overnight segment.
Is the overnight train a sleeper?
No, the included Amtrak segment is coach seating, not a private sleeper cabin, according to the trip's included-items list.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans.
Is this a guided tour or independent travel?
It is an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with a multi-day hop-on-hop-off tour in Chicago, a narrated city tour in Memphis, and a city tour in New Orleans, plus free time to explore on your own.
What meals are included?
Two meals are included: a dinner at a popular restaurant in Chicago and a jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters in New Orleans, or a substitute dinner if brunch is unavailable.
How much does the trip cost?
Prices start from $1,039 per person, which works out to about $115 per day.

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