Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans

Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans

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7 Days From

$3095

Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans

7 Days Starting in Nashville and ending in New Orleans

Visiting: Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

SSKU

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Interests:

Cultural

From: $3095

NB: Prices correct on 23-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Jump from Nashville to Memphis and New Orleans, laying down tracks at recording studios and hanging out at Graceland along the way – on this week-long trip in Tennessee and Louisiana. This may sound like a week in the life of Elvis Presley, but on this music-themed adventure, you’ll have the chance to walk a country mile in his blue suede shoes. Join your leader who knows all the best local spots and a group of fellow music lovers to get to the root of country music in Nashville, sing the blues in Memphis and jazz it up in New Orleans. If fantastic food, art, culture and history sound like music to your ears, then this is the trip for you.

Highlights

  • Earn your place in the Country Music Hall of Fame as you participate in a recording session with a professional sound engineer at the iconic Studio B in Nashville.

  • Walk in famous footsteps at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis – and discover a kitschy world of Southern glitz and glamour at Graceland – the home of Elvis Presley.

  • Get to know the real New Orleans during a walking tour with a local guide that celebrates the city’s jazz music heritage, stopping off at some lively venues along the way.

  • Learn how to cook a classic New Orleans Cajun feast for a true taste of Louisiana – after all, it doesn’t get much better than Southern food.

  • Enjoy a good balance of included activities, balanced with loads of free time to hit up some more live music venues and thriving bars

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance. Donations help them create inclusive and equitable opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) tourism businesses.

  • Mark the end of your trail with a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters, listening to the smooth sounds of live music alongside your morning meal.

  • Enjoy a good balance of included activities, balanced with loads of free time to hit up some more live music venues and thriving bars.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Nashville

Location: Nashville

Accommodation: Hotel

Welcome to Tennessee! Your adventure begins in Nashville – an energetic city celebrating boot-scooting, whiskey shooting and rootin’-tootin’ country music like nowhere else. Kick off your trip with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet up with your leader and the other travellers. After, head out on a leader-led walking tour of the city to get your bearings and then join your group for an optional welcome dinner. You might also get to try out a bit of line dancing at a local saloon!

Included Activities:
-Nashville- Leader-led orientation tour

Day 2: Nashville

Location: Nashville

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning after breakfast, dive straight into the city’s history with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This fabulous piano-shaped building is a work of art and contains a whole range of impressive memorabilia, including Elvis’ gold Cadillac. Then, cruise across town to Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and ‘The King’ Elvis Presley have all laid tracks – today, you’ll even be joining this prestigious list! Meet with a professional sound engineer for your own recording session and find out what it takes to create the Nashville sound. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city – you may like to check out the Nashville murals, visit the much-loved Goo Goo candy store, or swing by the Johnny Cash Museum.

Included Activities:
-Nashville - Country Music Hall of Fame
-Nashville - Studio B tour with recording session

Day 3: Memphis

Location: Memphis

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Hit the road this morning and make tracks for Memphis – a city overflowing with musical history and legends. Your first stop is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Here at the original location of Stax Records in downtown Memphis, you'll learn the story of the Memphis sound where stars like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes got their starts. You'll even have a chance to cut a rug on their dance floor as you listen to Stax tracks. The rest of the day is yours to discover the sights and sounds of Memphis. No visit to this city would be complete without checking out Beale Street, lined with traditional blues clubs. Join back up with your group for a dinner at a local restaurant, then head out to enjoy some of that live, local music.

Included Activities:
-Memphis - Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Day 4: Memphis

Location: Memphis

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast this morning, head out on an orientation walk in downtown Memphis including a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. Your leader will talk about the museum, you’ll have the chance to take photos and can choose to take an optional tour. Then, head to another of Memphis’ iconic sites – Graceland. Elvis’s former home and final resting place, a visit to Graceland is like stepping back into the 1970s, with a glamourous and kitschy twist. Explore a fascinating world of green shag-carpet ceilings and yellow vinyl walls while getting a sneak peek into the glitzy side of the Deep South.

Included Activities:
-Memphis - Graceland, The Home of Elvis Presley
-Memphis - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:
-Memphis - Rock 'n' Soul Museum
-Memphis - Museum of Rock N' Soul
-Memphis - National Civil Rights Museum

Day 5: New Orleans

Location: New Orleans

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today you’ll be road-tripping from Memphis to New Orleans, arriving in the afternoon. Jazz is not just a part of the city’s history – it’s alive and kicking! When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk around The Big Easy, and maybe try to sample one of the city’s famous beignets. The evening is yours to explore further – your leader will have some great recommendations on where to grab a bite to eat and listen to more live music.

Included Activities:
-New Orleans - Leader-led Orientation

Day 6: New Orleans

Location: New Orleans

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a free morning to explore New Orleans at your own pace. Then for lunch, you’re in for a real treat – not only famed for its music scene, the food in New Orleans is some of the best in the country, and today you’ll learn about Creole and Cajun cuisine at a local cooking school. Find out how to create one of the region’s most beloved dishes with a demonstration, then get hands-on and try it yourself. Tuck into the finished product with your group, then the rest of the day is free for you to continue exploring. Why not check out a jazz club on Frenchman Street, join the party on Bourbon Street or – for the brave of heart – take a tour of the iconic St. Louis Cemetery?

Included Activities:
-New Orleans - Cooking Class

Optional Activities:
-New Orleans - Strange New Orleans Tour
-New Orleans - Cemetery Tour
-New Orleans - Mardi Gras World

Day 7: New Orleans

Location: New Orleans

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning, head out for a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters – a gorgeous outdoor courtyard dining area where you can enjoy some delicious brunch specialities while live jazz plays – a great way to complete your music trail! With nothing planned for the rest of the day, your trip will come to an end after brunch. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Included Activities:
-New Orleans - Jazz Brunch

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (6 nights)

  • Nashville- Leader-led orientation tour

  • Nashville - Country Music Hall of Fame

  • Nashville - Studio B tour with recording session

  • Memphis - Stax Museum of American Soul Music

  • Memphis - Graceland, The Home of Elvis Presley

  • Memphis - National Civil Rights Museum

  • New Orleans - Jazz Music Tour

  • New Orleans - Cooking Class

  • Meals

    6 breakfasts, 1 dinners

  • Memphis - Leader-led orientation walk

show more

Transport

  • AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
  • We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
  • NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
  • Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
  • The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
  • While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • 1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Nashville. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
  • 2. On the last day the included Jazz brunch is expected to finish around 12pm. Please do not book flights that depart before 3pm if you wish to participate in the brunch.
  • 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

  • NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
  • Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
  • The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
  • While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    The South gets mighty steamy in the summertime. Pack appropriately, drink plenty of water and you might even grow to love it. September through to November is hurricane season, so if you’re travelling over this period you should pack a rain jacket and waterproof shoes.

    You're in the Deep South of the USA, so expect a lot of (delicious) fried food and barbecue. Vegetarians may have fewer options, as a lot of southern cuisine is meat-based.

    You may also want to check out our Best of the South trip if you have a longer time to explore the region:

    https://www.intrepidtravel.com/united-states/best-south-atlanta-new-orleans-150418

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

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15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

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26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

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This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

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I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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