Day 1: Chicago
Welcome to the “Windy City.” Your Tour Director is available from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.
Once settled, perhaps begin exploring Chicago with a stroll along the 1.25-mile Riverwalk that follows the Chicago River through the heart of downtown. Or browse the shops, restaurants, and attractions along Michigan Avenue, better known as the Magnificent Mile.
Day 2: Chicago
Chicago is known for its iconic architecture, world-class museums, and beautiful lakefront setting. Your sightseeing tour features landmarks such as the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), and Navy Pier, followed by an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional river cruise for a closer look at the city’s remarkable architecture or visit the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Then treat yourself to a slice – or three – of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.
Day 3: Chicago - St. Louis
Travel across the fertile farmlands of Illinois to St. Louis, known as the “Gateway to the West.” An orientation tour includes Gateway Arch National Park, which commemorates the city’s important role in America’s westward expansion. Visit the museum beneath the Arch, where exhibits explore the stories of Lewis & Clark, westward migration, and the people who helped shape the American frontier.
Day 4: St. Louis - Paducah - Nashville
Recross the Mississippi River and travel southeast to Paducah, Kentucky, situated along the banks of the Ohio River. Enjoy time for lunch and perhaps visit the National Quilt Museum, home to an impressive collection of quilts that showcase extraordinary artistry and craftsmanship.
Day 5: Nashville
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nashville, the “Country Music Capital of the World.” See landmarks including Centennial Park, home to a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, and Music Row, where generations of artists have recorded some of country music’s biggest hits.
Join an optional excursion featuring historic RCA Studio B, birthplace of the “Nashville Sound” where legendary performers such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and the Everly Brothers recorded. You’ll also visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, home to an extensive collection of memorabilia, costumes, instruments, and Elvis Presley’s famous “solid gold” Cadillac.
Tonight, enjoy reserved seating at a live performance at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, one of country music’s most celebrated stages.
Day 6: Nashville- Brownsville - Memphis
Depart Nashville and travel to Brownsville, Tennessee, to visit the Tina Turner Museum, housed in the one-room schoolhouse once attended by a young Anna Mae Bullock, later known around the world as Tina Turner. Explore exhibits celebrating the life and career of the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” including costumes, awards, photographs, and personal memorabilia.
Continue to Memphis, the “Home of the Blues,” where an orientation tour introduces you to iconic Beale Street and the former Lorraine Motel, site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, and now part of the National Civil Rights Museum.
Later, consider an optional excursion to legendary Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, and other music icons recorded followed by dinner.
Day 7: Memphis - Visit to Graceland
Spend time today exploring Graceland, Elvis Presley’s iconic estate. Your self-guided audio tour includes the 15,000-square-foot mansion and the Meditation Garden where Elvis Presley and other members of the Presley family, including his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, are laid to rest.
Step aboard Elvis’ custom jets and see a collection of his favorite automobiles and personal memorabilia. Return to Memphis mid-afternoon and enjoy free time to experience the city’s famous barbecue, vibrant music scene, and legendary Beale Street.
Day 8: Memphis - Indianola - New Orleans
Today, travel through the heart of Mississippi to Indianola, hometown of legendary blues musician B.B. King. Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center to learn about his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in the Mississippi Delta to international fame. Discover how the Mississippi Delta helped shape the development of blues music and influenced generations of American musicians. Later, continue to New Orleans, arriving in the early evening with free time to begin exploring the “Big Easy” on your own.
Day 9: New Orleans
This morning, discover the sights and sounds of New Orleans on a guided tour featuring the French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and one of the city’s distinctive above-ground cemeteries.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own. You may choose an optional excursion to one of southern Louisiana’s historic plantation homes, where impressive architecture and compelling stories offer insight into the region’s past. Or join an optional Louisiana Swamp Tour and cruise through bayous lined with moss-draped cypress trees in search of local wildlife, including alligators.
This evening, consider an optional Mississippi River dinner cruise featuring live jazz—the perfect finale to your musical journey through America’s Heartland.
Day 10: New Orleans
Your vacation ends this morning. Or choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “Big Easy” further.
