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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Music of the South

13-day rail tour through American music heartland from Charlotte to New Orleans

Illustration of Music of the South

Vacations By Rail operates this 13-day escorted rail tour through the American South, departing from Charlotte, North Carolina and ending in New Orleans, Louisiana. A Tour Manager guides the group throughout, leading visitors through the cultural heartland of country music, blues, rock and roll, and jazz. The journey spans the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Nashville's Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry, Memphis's Graceland and Sun Studio, and New Orleans's French Quarter and Mississippi River. Days mix guided city tours, heritage rail rides on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, a journey aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans train through Mississippi, and cultural attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Jack Daniel's Distillery, Oak Alley Plantation, and a paddle steamer cruise on the Mississippi. Accommodation spans twelve nights in 3 and 4-star hotels. The tour suits travellers seeking guided comfort, a strong focus on American musical and cultural history, and a mix of rail experiences with coach transfers and regional cuisine.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price of $6,299
  • Several hotel options are listed for some cities; your final accommodation depends on availability and the tier selected
  • Day 12 is a free day in New Orleans with no guided activities or meals included

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Charlotte

    Arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city

    Arrive in Charlotte, check in and meet the Tour Manager; free time to explore Uptown.

  2. Day 2overnight: Pigeon Forge

    To the Biltmore Estate and Pigeon Forge

    Coach to Asheville for a self-guided tour and lunch at the Biltmore Estate, then on to Pigeon Forge and the Dollywood DreamMore Resort.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Pigeon Forge

    Riding aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

    Coach to Bryson City, then a heritage-train round trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chattanooga

    To Chattanooga and the Look Out Mountain Incline Railway

    Travel to Chattanooga, then ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, one of the world's steepest passenger railways.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Nashville

    Jack Daniel's Distillery & arrival in Nashville

    Coach to Nashville via Moore County for a guided tour and tasting at the Jack Daniel's Distillery.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Nashville

    Nashville's musical history and an evening at the Grand Ole Opry

    Guided city tour including Music Row, followed by an evening performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Nashville

    Studio B & the Country Music Hall of Fame

    Guided tour of the historic RCA Studio B, ending at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Memphis

    To Jackson and into the heart of Memphis

    Stop in Jackson, TN and the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, then check in near Graceland in Memphis for a barbecue dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Memphis

    Paying tribute to the two 'Kings' at Graceland and Sun Studio

    Tour Graceland and Sun Studio, with free time on famous Beale Street.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10railovernight: New Orleans

    The City of New Orleans train & Oak Alley Plantation

    Ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans train through Mississippi, tour Oak Alley Plantation, and check in to New Orleans.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: New Orleans

    The French Quarter and a Mississippi cruise

    Guided French Quarter tour with beignets at Cafe du Monde, then a sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi aboard the paddle steamer Creole Queen.

  12. Day 12overnight: New Orleans

    A free day in New Orleans

    Free day to explore New Orleans independently.

  13. Day 13

    Traveling home

    Check out and travel home independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Heritage-train round trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers from Bryson City
  • Day 4Ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, one of the world's steepest passenger railways, in Chattanooga
  • Day 6Guided tour of Nashville's Music Row followed by an evening performance at the Grand Ole Opry
  • Day 10Ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans train through Mississippi to New Orleans, then tour Oak Alley Plantation
  • Day 11Guided French Quarter tour with beignets at Cafe du Monde, then a paddle steamer cruise on the Mississippi aboard the Creole Queen

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes all rail, coach, and cruise travel throughout the tour, including the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, and Amtrak's City of New Orleans. Standard Class rail is specified.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager from Vacations By Rail accompanies the group from start to finish and leads all guided tours and excursions.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of $6,299 includes 12 nights' accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels, 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, all rail and coach travel, a Mississippi paddle steamer cruise, and all guided tours and excursions. Flights and airport transfers are not included.
How many days involve train travel?
Four signature train experiences are scheduled: Days 3 (Great Smoky Mountains Railroad), 4 (Lookout Mountain Incline Railway), 10 (Amtrak's City of New Orleans), plus coach and train legs on other days. The itinerary also uses Amtrak's Sunset Limited and coach travel for transfers.
What is the activity level?
Vacations By Rail rates this tour Mobility Rating 2. Expect city walking tours, guided excursions at attractions, and standard luggage handling at hotels.
When does the tour run?
Vacations By Rail does not publish a departure calendar in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm available dates.

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