Amtrak Vacations
Highlights of America - Coast to Coast
Independent cross-country rail trip, Washington DC to Los Angeles
11 daysfrom $1,649
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Jazz Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Roundtrip from Philadelphia
Eleven-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from Philadelphia through Chicago, Memphis, Orleans
Amtrak Vacations runs this eleven-day roundtrip rail vacation from Philadelphia, with stops in Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans before the return trip. Day 1 begins with connecting trains toward Chicago for an overnight ride, arriving for two days that include a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour covering Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and 360 Chicago. The City of New Orleans train then carries travelers overnight to Memphis for two nights, including a narrated tour that stops at Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, Beale Street, and Sun Studios, plus a dinner at a popular Memphis restaurant. From Memphis the train continues to New Orleans for three nights, highlighted by a jazz brunch in the French Quarter and a paddlewheel Battlefield Cruise. The Crescent train then carries travelers back toward Philadelphia. With two to three nights booked in each city, the pace is relaxed, and the trip suits independent travelers comfortable managing their own station transfers and hotel check-ins between the included sightseeing.
What to know before you look closer
- The included-meals list for this trip is inconsistent: it names both a dinner (in Memphis) and a jazz brunch (in New Orleans) but labels the total as '1 meal'; confirm exactly what is included with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
- Several transitions are unescorted: the itinerary has you travel to the station on your own before boarding trains in Memphis and elsewhere.
- The overnight Amtrak legs are booked in Coach class seating, not a private sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Philadelphia, PA
Today board Amtrak for your leisurely trip to Chicago! Sit back and relax as the train makes its way west.
- Day 2overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to Chicago! Explore the Windy City on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour covering thirteen miles of the city. Later, explore on your own; we suggest a walk down Magnificent Mile.
- Day 3overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Continue sightseeing with your multi-day tour, stopping by Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, 360 Chicago, and more. Tonight you will enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant.
- Day 4overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel to the station and board Amtrak's City of New Orleans for a relaxing overnight trip south to Memphis, through the heart of the nation's musical heritage.
- Day 5overnight: Memphis
Memphis, TN
After arriving in Memphis this morning, travel on your own to your downtown hotel. Free time to explore Beale Street or the Peabody Hotel's famous ducks.
- Day 6overnight: Memphis
Memphis, TN
Enjoy a narrated tour of Memphis, including the iconic Graceland, downtown, the Mighty Mississippi, Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel, Sun Studios, and the Meditation Garden. This evening, enjoy your included dinner at a popular Memphis restaurant.
- Day 7overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Travel on your own to the station and board Amtrak to New Orleans, taking in the Southern scenery through Mississippi. Travel to your hotel upon arrival.
- Day 8overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Start the day with a jazz brunch in a French Quarter restaurant, then set off for your included New Orleans city tour: the French Quarter, historic Jackson Square, the "Cities of the Dead" cemeteries, Bayou St. John, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
- Day 9overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Enjoy a Battlefield Cruise on the outside deck of an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat, taking in the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans with narration on landmarks and history, disembarking at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.
- Day 10overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak for your trip back to Philadelphia, reflecting on your Jazz, Blues, and Rock 'n' Roll journey.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Philadelphia
Journey concludes in Philadelphia.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 6A narrated tour of Memphis takes in Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi, Beale Street, and Sun Studios, followed by dinner at a popular Memphis restaurant.
- Day 8A jazz brunch at a French Quarter restaurant, followed by a city tour of Jackson Square, the "Cities of the Dead" cemeteries, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
- Day 9A Battlefield Cruise on the outside deck of a paddlewheel boat disembarks at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.
- Day 2A multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Chicago takes in Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and 360 Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Philadelphia to Chicago; Chicago to Memphis; on the Northeast Regional® and Capitol Limited®; Chicago to Memphis and Memphis to New Orleans on board the City of New Orleans®; and New Orleans to New York onboard the Crescent®
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 dinner, 1 brunch*), *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 connecting Philadelphia to Chicago (Northeast Regional and Capitol Limited), Chicago to Memphis and Memphis to New Orleans (City of New Orleans), and a return via the Crescent.
- Which trains will I ride?
- Northeast Regional, Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, and Crescent, all in Coach class.
- Is there overnight train travel?
- Yes, three nights onboard Amtrak across the trip.
- What hotels are included?
- The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, in Chicago; The Peabody Memphis; and Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.
- Is it guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with included guided elements: a hop-on, hop-off Chicago tour, a narrated Memphis tour with Graceland admission, and a New Orleans sightseeing tour.
- What meals are included?
- A dinner at a popular Memphis restaurant and a jazz brunch in New Orleans, with dinner substituted if the brunch is unavailable.
