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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans

Independent music history trip: Nashville to Memphis to New Orleans by rail and car

Illustration of Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation that begins in Nashville and ends in New Orleans, with a stop in Memphis along the way. Day 1 is free time in Nashville, followed by a guided city tour on day 2 that takes in the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and a Grand Ole Opry show on day 3. On day 4 you pick up a rental car and drive to Memphis, crossing the Cumberland River, for a guided Memphis city tour and a visit to Graceland on day 5. Day 6 covers the trip's train leg: Amtrak's City of New Orleans, passing farm country and marshland on the way to Louisiana. The final three nights are in New Orleans, using a multi-day attraction pass and a choice of a guided walking tour or a battlefield cruise. The pace suits travelers who enjoy a mix of guided highlights and time to explore music history 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 8-night trip (a dinner or a brunch), so most meals are on your own.
  • The Amtrak rail leg is used only between Memphis and New Orleans on day 6; travel between Nashville and Memphis is by rental car.
  • Day 1 in Nashville is unguided free time, and New Orleans sightseeing on day 7 is self-directed using a multi-day attraction pass rather than a guided tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Nashville

    Your Journey Begins in Nashville

    Upon arrival in Nashville, begin exploring the city. Today you are free to enjoy the city on your own.

  2. Day 2overnight: 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.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nashville

    Nashville, TN

    Enjoy another day exploring the city. 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.

  4. Day 4overnight: Memphis

    Nashville to Memphis

    Enjoy the morning in Nashville before hitting the road for Memphis. Drive over the mighty Cumberland River and past Jackson, TN, made famous in a classic Johnny Cash song. Upon arriving into the city, drop off your rental car and check-in to your hotel for a relaxing evening or begin your sightseeing in Memphis.

  5. Day 5overnight: Memphis

    Memphis, TN

    Today, your exploration of Memphis continues with a sightseeing tour of the city. Your tour will take you past some of Memphis's top attractions such as Beale Street with its lively blues clubs, 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.

  6. Day 6railovernight: New Orleans

    Memphis to New Orleans

    This morning board Amtrak's famous City of New Orleans train for your journey south to the "Big Easy"! Marvel as you travel past sprawling farm country and vibrant marshland as the train winds its way to Louisiana.

  7. Day 7overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Today you will get to explore the "Big Easy" with your multi-day attraction pass. Use the pass to gain admission to top attractions such as Mardi Gras World where you will get to see the floats and characters from the Mardi Gras parades as well as the artists working to create them, the Louisiana State Museum known as the Cabildo, or even take a course in Creole cuisine at a local cooking school.

  8. Day 8overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    This morning, enjoy a fine brunch accompanied by some of the city's best live jazz music or, if you prefer, an excellent dinner of creole classics later this evening. Today you will also continue to see that 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 surprising stories, and tales of the exciting "Crescent City".

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in New Orleans

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided Nashville tour visits Honky Tonk Row, the Parthenon replica, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Day 3The evening includes a live show and radio broadcast at the Grand Ole Opry, with performances dating back to 1925.
  • Day 5A guided Memphis tour is followed by a visit to Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion.
  • Day 6Amtrak's City of New Orleans train travels past farm country and marshland on the way to Louisiana.
  • Day 7A multi-day pass gives access to Mardi Gras World, where visitors see parade floats and the artists building them.

Included

  • Amtrak rail travel in standard (coach) class throughout
  • 8 nights' hotel stay
  • 1 meal included (1 dinner or brunch)
  • Intermediate car rental for 4 days in Nashville
  • Sightseeing city tour of Nashville with admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame
  • Admission to the Johnny Cash Museum
  • Admission to a Grand Ole Opry performance
  • Sightseeing city tour of Memphis with admission to Graceland
  • Multi-day New Orleans Pass
  • Sightseeing walking tour or battlefield cruise of New Orleans (French Quarter Walking Tour, Cemetery and Gris Gris Walking Tour, Original Cocktail Walking Tour, or Chalmette Battlefield Cruise)

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, Amtrak rail travel in standard (coach) class is included, but the only rail leg used is Memphis to New Orleans on day 6. Nashville to Memphis travel is by rental car.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with guided city tours included in Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans; day 1 is free time and New Orleans sightseeing uses a self-directed multi-day attraction pass.
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 Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans, including Conrad Nashville, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, and The Peabody Memphis.
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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