Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - DC to San Francisco
Amtrak coast-to-coast rail journey from Washington DC to San Francisco
9 daysfrom $1,049
33% rail
No longer offered
Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Sounds of the USA: Nashville to New Orleans
Nine-day escorted journey through Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans by coach, rail and cruise
Vacations By Rail's nine-day Sounds of the USA tour traces the musical heritage of the American South, starting in Nashville and ending in New Orleans. A Tour Manager leads the group throughout, guiding visits to the Grand Ole Opry, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the French Quarter. The tour stays at three and four-star hotels in each city and includes a rail segment aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans train on Day 6, traveling through Mississippi towns before reaching Hammond, Louisiana. Travellers spend three nights in Nashville exploring Music Row and the Country Music Hall of Fame, two nights in Memphis at Graceland and Beale Street, and three nights in New Orleans with a Mississippi River cruise aboard the Creole Queen paddle steamer. The pace is relaxed, with multiple nights per city allowing time to explore each destination. This tour suits first-time rail travellers who prefer group guidance, history enthusiasts interested in American music and culture, and those seeking a narrative journey through the origins of country, blues, rock and roll, and jazz.
What to know before you look closer
- Most of the nine days use coach travel; the rail portion is Day 6 only, a four-hour section of Amtrak's City of New Orleans route
- The package does not include flights or airport transfers; travellers must arrange their own air travel to Nashville
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Nashville
Welcome to Music City, U.S.A., Nashville
Make your own way to our hotel in the heart of Nashville and check in for three nights. Nearby sights include the Country Music Hall of Fame, Walk of Fame Park, the Johnny Cash Museum and the Gibson Garage.
- Day 2overnight: Nashville
Exploring the Grand Ole Opry and the home of country music
A guided coach tour of Nashville including Music Row's recording studios, followed by free time and an evening performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Nashville
Nashville's musical heritage
A visit to RCA Studio B, where Elvis, the Everly Brothers and Dolly Parton once recorded, followed by the Country Music Hall of Fame. Free time in the evening, including Honky Tonk Highway.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Memphis
From Jackson to Memphis, Cash to Presley
Travel through Tennessee, stopping in Jackson, birthplace of rockabilly, then visit the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, including the Tina Turner Museum, before checking in to The Guest House at Graceland in Memphis.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Memphis
Elvis' Graceland & the home of the blues
A tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion, followed by a visit to Sun Studio, where Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded. Free time on Beale Street.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: New Orleans
Discovering the story of the blues by rail
Board Amtrak's City of New Orleans train through Mississippi towns including Greenwood, Jackson and Hazlehurst, then visit Oak Alley Plantation in Hammond, Louisiana, before continuing to New Orleans.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans' French Quarter & Creole Queen cruise
A guided tour of the French Quarter including a stop at Café Du Monde for beignets and café au lait, followed by a sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi aboard the Creole Queen paddle steamer, passing the site of the Battle of New Orleans.
- Day 8overnight: New Orleans
At leisure in the Big Easy
A free day to explore New Orleans, including the St. Louis Cathedral, the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, and the French Quarter's restaurants.
- Day 9
Tour conclusion
Check out of the hotel this morning; your vacation comes to a close and you are free to continue exploring New Orleans or begin your travels home.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2Evening performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville
- Day 5Tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion, and Sun Studio where B.B. King, Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded
- Day 6Board Amtrak's City of New Orleans train through Mississippi, then visit Oak Alley Plantation in Hammond, Louisiana
- Day 7Sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi aboard the Creole Queen paddle steamer, passing the site of the Battle of New Orleans
Included
- Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
- 8 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
- Standard Class rail travel
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
- 5 breakfasts
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Flights and Airport transfers
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Great Rail Journeysfrom $4,019
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. Day 6 includes travel aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans train from Memphis to New Orleans in Standard Class, passing through Mississippi towns. Most other days use coach or cruise transport.
- Is this an escorted tour?
- Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish, plus all guided tours and excursions.
- Which hotels are included?
- Three nights at the Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown, two nights at The Guest House at Graceland in Memphis (4-star), and three nights at the Hilton New Orleans on St Charles Avenue.
- How much walking is involved?
- The operator rates this tour Mobility 2, involving guided tours of museums, historic sites and neighbourhoods with stairs and city walking.
- What meals are included?
- Five breakfasts. Other meals are not included, though the itinerary includes free time for dining in Honky Tonk Row, Beale Street and the French Quarter.
- What is not included?
- Cancellation and travel insurance, flights and airport transfers, and most lunches and dinners.
