Visit Chicago, Louisville, Nashville, Tupelo, Memphis, Clarksdale, Natchez, New Orleans & more

After touching down at Chicago O'Hare, you'll jump in a cab and head downtown towards one of the world's best skylines. After settling into your hotel, which we carefully selected for you, you'll have three nights and two full days to really get to grips with this wonderful city which sits on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Should you wish to stay longer and explore more of Chicago, then just let us know when you request your quote.

Most visitors to Chicago head straight to 'Magnificent Mile', a vibrant area which is home to upscale shops, trendy restaurants and posh hotels. Landmarks include the historic Chicago Water Tower, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower and the 100-story Hancock Center, which has a rooftop observation deck called 360 Chicago. Spend the rest of the day exploring some of the other attractions found north of the Chicago River. These include Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the beaches along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

On your final full day in Chicago, we recommend that you spend time visiting the cities attractions that are located south of the Chicago River. Some of America's very best museums are found here, these include the Art Institute, the Alder Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. Be sure to stroll around Millennium Park too, you'll find world-famous outdoor artworks like Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain for those all-important Social Media snaps. Lastly, before leaving town, make sure you spend at least one evening partying at Buddy Guy’s Legends Nightclub.

On your way to Louisville, you'll pass by Indianapolis. Motorsport fans might want to check out Indianapolis Motor Speedway, might home to the Indy500 and more. Next, you'll cruise south to Louisville which you may know due to its rich horse racing pedigree, after all, it's home to the legendary Kentucky Derby. Or, maybe you've drunk a drop or two of bourbon with Louisville written on the label? Additionally, Louisville is famous for Folk music, baseball and amazing fried chicken.

A full day to explore Louisville's highlights. Options include a visit to the beautiful Churchill Downs Racetrack, or maybe educating yourself on the life and times of arguably the greatest sportsmen of the 20th Century at the Muhammad Ali Center or maybe just spend the afternoon and evening sampling the products of the numerous bourbon distilleries found in the city or along the Bourbon Trail.

Nashville is the proud home of Country Music, this booming city boasts about its musical heritage at every opportunity. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the legendary RCA Studio B where Elvis, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson all recorded hits. It's not all about country music mind, the region has a rich blues history too with singers and songwriters from every genre calling 'Music City' home.

Head to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (colloquially known in Nashville as simply the ‘Pedestrian Bridge’) which spans the Cumberland River. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better view of the Nashville skyline anywhere. After the sun sets and for the full tourist experience, head down to Broadway and stop by a honky-tonk or two for a one-of-a-kind night of drinking and live music.

Today you'll leave the home of Country music and go in search of the spiritual homes of the Blues, Soul and Rock'n'Roll. To get you to Memphis you'll follow the first half of the Natchez Trace Parkway, which was originally an old Indian trading route. Today, the Parkway is used as a serene way to cruise by Muscle Shoals, where artists like The Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin recorded hits, before moving you onto Tupelo, where Elvis was born and raised.

Today is all about the King, Elvis Presley. Start the day off by visiting the tiny house Elvis was born in and the neighbouring church where he sang as a child. You'll then leave Tupelo and move onto Memphis, along the way you'll pass Graceland, the final resting place of Elvis. Second, only to The White House, Elvis Presley’s Graceland is arguably the most iconic home in America and a must-see for anyone visiting Memphis. Finally, after settling into your Memphis hotel, we highly recommend you hit Beale Street for live music, soul food and dancing.

Memphis has plenty more to offer, including the legendary Sun Records Studios and the moving National Civil Rights Museum. In our humble opinion, Memphis is the Barbecue Capital of America, so make sure you try a rib joint or two. As always, your personalised Road Trip Pack will show you the full range of things to see and do in the city, you can do as much or as little as you please.

Today you'll drive south through the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, exploring small towns like Clarksdale, Indianola and Cleveland as you go. These towns were the birthplace of The Blues and thus Rock'nRoll as we know it today. By the time you reach the plantation houses of Natchez, your understanding of 20th Century music will be transformed. End the day by taking in a tour of one of the many antebellum plantation houses found in Natchez, followed by drinks at the Under the Hill Saloon.

Continue south along the Great River Road to your final destination - New Orleans. Along the way, we highly recommend that you stop-by Oak Alley Plantation for a quick tour of the house and grounds. If you only do one plantation home, then this is the one in our opinion. Once you arrive in "The Big Easy", the French Quarter will be waiting to offer you dinner and drinks, and all that Jazz.

Built on the mouth of the Mississippi, New Orleans is the home of the jazz, voodoo and the craziness that is Mardi Gras. The French Quarter offers so much charm, it's a great place to take a walking tour, sampling great food and live music as you stroll.

This will be your final full day of your American Music Tour. Use it to explore more of New Orleans must-see attractions and to sample the night-life. The following day you'll leave for the airport to fly home. Whether you call it NOLA, The Big Easy or just plain old New Orleans, we're confident this lively city will stay with you for many a year.