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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Sounds of the USA: Nashville to New Orleans

Music trail from Nashville to New Orleans by rail and coach, 10 days

Illustration of Sounds of the USA: Nashville to New Orleans

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day escorted tour through the heartland of American music, departing from London Heathrow and ending in New Orleans. The journey connects three musical cities: Nashville, home of country and the Grand Ole Opry; Memphis, where Elvis Presley recorded at Graceland and rock and roll was born at Sun Studio; and New Orleans, birthplace of jazz. Days are structured around guided tours and performances in the morning and early afternoon, leaving substantial free time to explore independently. The tour's centrepiece is Day 6, when guests board Amtrak's City of New Orleans train for a rail journey through Mississippi to Hammond, Louisiana, with a stop at Oak Alley Plantation's Greek revival house. The itinerary suits travellers seeking a blend of cultural education, live music experiences and leisure, escorted comfortably throughout by a UK Tour Manager. Hotel accommodation is solid 3 and 4-star, and the tour includes flights, all transport by rail, coach and paddle steamer, and five breakfasts.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: October 2026. Confirm availability and book early.
  • Only 5 breakfasts are included across 9 nights; most other meals are not covered and must be arranged independently or paid separately.
  • The single supplement (GBP 4,899) is considerably higher than half the double price (GBP 1,749.50), adding roughly GBP 2,400 to solo travellers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Nashville

    Welcome to Nashville, Music City

    Your musical US holiday begins at London Heathrow by meeting the Tour Manager ahead of an indirect transatlantic flight to Nashville. After touching down, transfer to the hotel in the heart of Nashville, close to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Walk of Fame Park, Johnny Cash Museum and Gibson guitar factory. Note: For departures 21st September and 26th October flights will be direct into Nashville.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nashville

    Grand Ole Opry and the home of country music

    After breakfast, embark on a guided coach tour of Nashville's attractions, including recording studios on Music Row. Free time in the afternoon to explore or dine independently. This evening, visit the legendary Grand Ole Opry for a performance of eight or more artists, from legendary music stars to upcoming talent.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Nashville

    Nashville's musical heritage

    Visit the world-famous RCA Studio B, where Elvis, the Everly Brothers and Dolly Parton once recorded. Then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the world's largest music museum, with interactive exhibitions and recordings dating back to the 1930s. The rest of the day is free; consider visiting Honky Tonk Highway in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Memphis

    From Jackson to Memphis, Cash to Presley

    Leave Nashville and travel through Tennessee, stopping in Jackson, the birthplace of rockabilly, for independent lunch. Visit the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, dedicated to the diverse history of the southern states, including the Tina Turner Museum. Continue to Memphis and check in to The Guest House at Graceland.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Memphis

    Elvis' Graceland & the home of the blues

    Tour Graceland, Elvis Presley's famous home, viewing preserved living quarters and his car collection. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Sun Studio, birthplace of rock'n'roll, where Howlin' Wolf, BB King, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded. The rest of the day is free; consider exploring Beale Street, the birthplace of the Blues.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: New Orleans

    Discovering the story of the blues by rail

    Board Amtrak's City of New Orleans train, passing through Mississippi towns including Greenwood, Jackson and Hazlehurst (birthplace of Robert Johnson). After arriving in Hammond, Louisiana, visit Oak Alley Plantation for an emotive tour of the Greek revival house and its grounds. Continue to New Orleans and check in to the hotel near Bourbon Street.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans' French Quarter & Creole Queen cruise

    Guided tour of the French Quarter, a National Historic Landmark. Stop at Café du Monde for a beignet and café au lait. Board the Creole Queen paddle steamer for a sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River, taking in the city's skyline and the site of the Battle of New Orleans. Evening free to explore Bourbon Street, jazz bars or Cajun zydeco music.

  8. Day 8overnight: New Orleans

    At leisure in the Big Easy

    Full free day to explore New Orleans. Visit St Louis Cathedral (North America's oldest cathedral, founded 1720), ride the St Charles Avenue streetcar, explore parks, or enjoy the French Quarter's eateries offering po-boys, jambalaya, fresh oysters and other Southern food.

  9. Day 9overnight: In flight

    Final morning in New Orleans

    Free time in the morning to revisit favourite spots, do last-minute souvenir shopping or relax. Transfer to New Orleans airport for the overnight flight back to London Heathrow. Note: For departure 21st September the return flight will be indirect via Charlotte.

  10. Day 10

    Homeward bound

    Land at London Heathrow. Holiday concludes and guests make their way home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Evening performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville's legendary venue featuring eight or more artists from country music stars to emerging talent.
  • Day 5Tour of Sun Studio in Memphis, the birthplace of rock and roll where Elvis Presley, Howlin' Wolf and BB King recorded.
  • Day 6Journey on Amtrak's City of New Orleans train through Mississippi towns including Greenwood and Hazlehurst, birthplace of blues legend Robert Johnson.
  • Day 7Sightseeing cruise on the Creole Queen paddle steamer along the Mississippi River, viewing New Orleans' skyline and the site of the Battle of New Orleans.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow (usually morning departures)
  • 5 breakfasts
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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 in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 3,499 (USD 4,673) includes all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour, plus flights from London Heathrow.
Which train is featured?
Amtrak's City of New Orleans, which travels from Memphis to Hammond, Louisiana on Day 6, passing through Mississippi towns including Greenwood, Jackson and Hazlehurst.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from the start in London through arrival back at London Heathrow.
What hotels are included?
Hyatt Place Downtown (3 nights, Nashville), The Guest House at Graceland (2 nights, Memphis) and Hilton New Orleans/St Charles Ave (3 nights, New Orleans).
Are meals included?
Five breakfasts are included. Lunch, dinner and other meals are not included; you arrange these independently or pay separately.
How much free time is there?
Afternoons and evenings are free in Nashville (Days 2-3), Memphis (Day 5) and New Orleans (Days 7-8 are mostly free; Day 8 is a full free day).

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