Rhythms of the South

Good old-fashioned Southern hospitality, charm and big smiles welcome you to 'Music City', Nashville. A hub of country music enthusiasts, Nashville attracts musicians, song writers and performers and ready explorers like you. The careers of some of the biggest names in the music industry started right here in the basement studios of Music Row or on stage at the famous Grand Ole Opry. Meet up with your Travel Director this afternoon, then relax before a big day in this vibrant city to begin your US South value tour.

Nashville is the ultimate traveler’s playground. Visit Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and Centennial State Park, where you're transported to Athens with their very own Parthenon. Icons checked off, visit Music Row, stopping off at RCA Studio B where legends like Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers recorded albums. No trip to Nashville would be complete without a snoop around the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame, home to memorabilia from Elvis, Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn and more. Scout out the tastiest hot chicken and biscuits on your own this afternoon before this evening's included visit to see a live performance of the Grand Old Opry, America's longest running live radio program.

• RCA's Studio B, Nashville
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Ready to continue your deep dive into country music with Optional Experiences on your US South value tour? There's no better choice than the Ryman Auditorium, where you can watch music magic come to life at the 'Soul of Nashville' theater. This afternoon, choose to join a hop-on-hop-off trolley tour to see all the top sites. The night is young! If you’re feeling in the mood, get out into the action and experience a honky tonk under the neon lights of Broadway.

Wave goodbye to Nashville and head for Memphis, the Home of the Blues. Want to dive straight into the city’s rhythm? Join an Optional Experience — the Backbeats Mojo Tour — led by a Beale Street musician on the only music bus in the U.S. Then step inside the legendary Sun Studio, where the sounds of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis first hit the airwaves. The afternoon’s yours to explore, or keep the beat going with another Optional Experience: visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and dine at Blues City Cafe, a favorite hangout of music legends. Whether you go your own way or follow the music, Memphis delivers the soul.

• Historic Sun Studio

Rise and shine, food fanatics—your day kicks off with a taste of Southern favorites at The Arcade, a Memphis classic. Then it’s all about Elvis. Make the rock ‘n’ roll pilgrimage to Graceland, where you’ll tour the King’s mansion and private planes. In the afternoon, choose a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and explore the city’s Civil Rights history with a Local Specialist, visiting the powerful National Civil Rights Museum and Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum.

• Visit Graceland

Time to swap Memphis for New Orleans. You'll roll along the famous Blues Trail with a pit stop in Jackson, Mississippi, before cruising over the world’s longest bridge across water into 'The Big Easy'. A Local Specialist will show you the city’s must-see spots, including its iconic cemeteries—think towering stone crypts and eerie, overgrown mausoleums. Cute cafes, voodoo vibes and mansion-lined streets? Classic NOLA. For a taste of the nightlife, hit Bourbon Street and let the good times roll.

• New Orleans Tour

Discover how everything in New Orleans is larger than life with a full free day. Have your fortune told in Jackson Square, stroll the French Quarter or eat your way around the city. If the swamps and bayous are on your list, an Optional Experience will get out on the water with a pontoon boat trip where a local specialist will keep a keen eye out so you can spot 'gators, eagles, snakes and egrets.

It’s your final full day in NOLA, make sure you go out in style with plenty of Optional Experiences to tempt. Why not join an Optional Experience cooking demonstration to learn how you can recreate some of the city’s tastiest Cajun and Creole dishes? The New Orleans School of Cooking is hosted by local chefs who share tips and stories. Or visit the WWII Museum, designated by Congress as America’s official museum about World War II. Jazz fans can opt to visit an authentic New Orleans jazz club to enjoy live music over dinner and drinks. What a way to end your trip!

With the bluesy beats of Beale Street and the smiles of Nashville still fresh in your mind, your trip comes to an end. Delicious Southern food still fresh in your thoughts, say goodbye to your new friends as you head your separate ways. If you can't bear to leave NOLA just yet, you can also choose to extend your US South value tour.