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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Music Cities of America

Independent music history tour: Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans by rail and car

Illustration of Music Cities of America

Railbookers operates this 10-day, 9-night independent trip that starts in Memphis and ends in New Orleans, with a stop in Nashville in between. The first two days are spent in Memphis, including a guided city tour and a visit to Graceland. On day 3 you pick up a rental car and drive to Nashville for three nights, where a guided tour takes in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium, and day 5 ends with a live show at the Grand Ole Opry. After a night back in Memphis, day 7 covers the trip's rail leg: Amtrak's City of New Orleans train south to Louisiana, passing forests and marshland along Lake Pontchartrain. The final three nights are in New Orleans, with a guided walking tour and a visit to the National WWII Museum. The mix of free time and guided sightseeing suits travelers who want structure in each city but also time to explore on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list offers 18 accommodation options across different tiers and cities; your final hotel depends on which tier and city option you choose.
  • Only one meal is included across the 9-night trip (a dinner or a brunch), so most meals are on your own.
  • Most inter-city travel is by rental car rather than train; only the Memphis to New Orleans leg on day 7 is by Amtrak.
  • Days 1, 5, and 8 include unguided free time rather than a scheduled tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    Welcome to Memphis! Your journey begins in the exciting "Blues City". Today check-in to your hotel and enjoy a day of sightseeing on your own. Perhaps you want to head down to Beale Street and check out the popular blues clubs to get into the music spirit.

  2. Day 2overnight: Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    This morning you will continue to explore Memphis on a sightseeing tour of the city. Your fully-guided tour will take you to visit some of Memphis's top attractions such as Victorian Village a neighborhood with many beautiful homes built in the 1800's, the famous Peabody Memphis Hotel, and the towering Memphis Pyramid. After your tour of the city, you will be transported out to Graceland where you will enjoy a tour of Elvis' mansion.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nashville

    Memphis to Nashville

    Today you will pick up your rental car for a quick drive out to Nashville. Upon arrival begin exploring. This evening you are free to enjoy the city on your own.

  4. Day 4overnight: Nashville

    Nashville, TN

    Today you will experience "Music City" on a comprehensive tour of Nashville. Your guided tour will bring you to such important Nashville spots as Honky Tonk Row, the Parthenon (a replica of the famous structure in Athens, Greece), and a tour of the classic Ryman Auditorium. You will also get to experience the Country Music Hall of Fame, an unforgettable journey through country music's history and its most legendary artists, writers, and performers.

  5. Day 5overnight: Nashville

    Nashville, TN

    Enjoy another day exploring the city, or relax back at your hotel. Tonight you will head over to the Grand Ole Opry for a live show and radio broadcast. With historic performances dating back to 1925, taking in a show at the Grand Old Opry is the perfect way to complete your Nashville experience.

  6. Day 6overnight: Memphis

    Nashville to Memphis

    This morning travel back to Memphis and prepare to journey on down to New Orleans. Upon arriving into the city, drop off your rental car and check-in to the hotel and have a relaxing evening in preparation of your trip.

  7. Day 7railovernight: New Orleans

    Memphis to New Orleans

    This morning board Amtrak's famous City of New Orleans route for your journey south to the "Big Easy"! Marvel as you travel through lush forests and marshland as the train skirts the shores of the incredible Lake Pontchartrain. As you arrive into the city, check-in to your hotel and settle in for the night.

  8. Day 8overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Today you will get to visit a popular attraction in New Orleans, the National WWII Museum. The National WWII Museum describes the story of the American experience throughout the war that changed the world. An entire day can be spent navigating through the exhibits, but you can decide how long you want to stay before continuing to stroll the streets of New Orleans at your leisure.

  9. Day 9overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Today you will continue to see the best of what New Orleans has to offer on a guided walking tour of the city. Your knowledgeable guide will escort you around the city, delighting you with fun facts, stories, and tales of the exciting "Crescent City". Also, today enjoy a fine brunch accompanied by some of the city's best live jazz music or an excellent dinner of creole classics.

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in New Orleans

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided Memphis city tour is followed by a tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley's home.
  • Day 4A guided Nashville tour visits Honky Tonk Row, the Parthenon replica, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Day 5The evening includes a live show and radio broadcast at the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Day 7Amtrak's City of New Orleans train carries travelers south through forests and marshland along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.
  • Day 8A day is spent at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Memphis to New Orleans onboard the City of New Orleans®
  • 9 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 4-day intermediate car rental
  • 1 meal included (1 dinner or 1 brunch)

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 train travel included?
Yes, one-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Memphis to New Orleans aboard the City of New Orleans is included. Travel between Memphis and Nashville is by rental car, not train.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with guided city tours included in Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans; the Memphis to Nashville leg is self-driven.
Which train is used?
Amtrak's City of New Orleans route, in Coach class, from Memphis to New Orleans.
What hotels are used?
The package offers 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including The Peabody Memphis, Conrad Nashville, and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
What is not included?
Only 1 meal (a dinner or a brunch) is included across the trip; other meals are on your own.

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