Amtrak Vacations
Jazz Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Roundtrip from Boston
Eleven-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from Boston through Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans
11 daysfrom $1,349
36% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Jazz Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Roundtrip from New York
Eleven-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from New York through Chicago, Memphis, Orleans
Amtrak Vacations runs this eleven-day roundtrip rail vacation from New York, with stops in Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans before returning to Penn Station. The trip begins with an overnight ride on the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, where two days include a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, a stop in the River North neighborhood, and a dinner at a popular restaurant. The City of New Orleans train carries travelers overnight to Memphis for two nights, including a narrated tour that takes in Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, and Sun Studio. From Memphis the train continues to New Orleans for three nights, highlighted by a jazz brunch in the French Quarter and a paddlewheel cruise past the city's landmarks. The Crescent train then carries travelers back to New York. With two to three nights booked in each city, the pace is relaxed, and the trip suits independent travelers who are comfortable managing their own hotel check-ins between the included sightseeing and rail legs.
What to know before you look closer
- Only two meals are included across the eleven days, one jazz brunch in New Orleans and one dinner in Chicago; the rest of your meals are on your own.
- The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability and schedules directly with Amtrak Vacations.
- The overnight Amtrak legs are booked in Coach class seating, not a private sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: onboard Amtrak
New York City, NY
Today board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited in New York Penn Station for your trip to Chicago! Sit back and relax on your journey to "The Windy City".
- Day 2overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to Chicago! Explore the Windy City on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Later, explore Chicago's River North neighborhood, home to many shops, restaurants, and night-life.
- Day 3overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Continue your multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour, visiting Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile. This evening, enjoy dinner at a popular Chicago restaurant.
- Day 4railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak's City of New Orleans for an overnight trip down to Memphis as the train winds its way south through the heart of the country.
- Day 5overnight: Memphis
Memphis, TN
After arriving in Memphis this morning, travel to your hotel in downtown Memphis. Free time to explore Beale Street or the Peabody Hotel's iconic duck march.
- Day 6overnight: Memphis
Memphis, TN
Enjoy a narrated tour of Memphis, including the famous Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, Sun Studio, and the statues of the two kings (B.B. King and Elvis).
- Day 7overnight: New Orleans
Memphis to New Orleans
This morning board Amtrak to New Orleans. Upon arrival, travel to your hotel, where you can settle in for the night or start exploring the "Crescent City".
- Day 8overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Start the day with a jazz brunch at a popular French Quarter restaurant, then set off for your guided sightseeing tour: the French Quarter, historic Jackson Square, the "Cities of the Dead" cemeteries, and Bayou St. John.
- Day 9overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Enjoy a cruise on an authentic paddlewheel boat, taking in the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans with narration on landmarks and river lore.
- Day 10overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak for your trip back to New York, reflecting on your Jazz, Blues, and Rock 'n' Roll journey.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in New York
Journey concludes in New York.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Boards Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited at New York's Penn Station for an overnight trip to Chicago.
- Day 6A narrated tour of Memphis takes in Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, Sun Studio, and statues of B.B. King and Elvis.
- Day 8A jazz brunch at a French Quarter restaurant, followed by a guided sightseeing tour of Jackson Square, the "Cities of the Dead" cemeteries, and Bayou St. John.
- Day 9A cruise on an authentic paddlewheel boat takes in the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans, with narration on landmarks and river lore.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® travel from New York to Chicago; Chicago to Memphis; Memphis to New Orleans; and New Orleans to New York onboard the Lake Shore Limited®, City of New Orleans®, and Crescent® in Coach accommodations
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 brunch, 1 dinner*), *Dinner at a popular restaurant substituted when brunch in New Orleans is unavailable.
Questions travellers ask
- Is rail travel included?
- Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel from New York to Chicago, Chicago to Memphis, Memphis to New Orleans, and New Orleans back to New York.
- Which trains will I ride?
- The Lake Shore Limited, City of New Orleans, and Crescent, all in Coach class.
- Is there overnight train travel?
- Yes, three nights onboard Amtrak across the round trip.
- What hotels are included?
- The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, in Chicago; The Peabody Memphis; and Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.
- How many meals are included?
- Two: one jazz brunch in New Orleans and one dinner in Chicago.
- Is it guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with several included guided elements: a hop-on, hop-off Chicago tour, a narrated Memphis tour with Graceland admission, and a guided New Orleans sightseeing tour.
