Itinerary
- Day 1
New Orleans
You'll arrive in New Orleans and head to your accommodation in the French Quarter. Depending on when your flight lands, there might be a welcome briefing this evening, or it'll happen tomorrow morning instead. Take some time to settle in and get your bearings in the city.
Landmarks French Quarter 
- Day 2
New Orleans
After breakfast, a guided walking tour takes you through the French Quarter's historic streets where you'll see the architectural styles and iconic homes that define the neighborhood. Jackson Square is on the agenda too, and your guide fills you in on the city's unique history. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Later, you'll board a dinner cruise on the Mississippi River and try local cuisine while taking in views of the water.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner cruise on the Mississippi River with local cuisine)
Included Activities
- Guided historical walking tour of the French Quarter
- Dinner cruise on the Mississippi River
Landmarks Jackson Square Mississippi River 
- Day 3
New Orleans
This day is completely open to your interests. Walk down Bourbon Street, spend time in the Garden District, or wander more of the French Quarter if you didn't get enough yesterday. If you want something organized, optional tours include an alligator swamp tour near Slidell or checking out live jazz performances around town.
Optional Activities
- Alligator swamp tour from Slidell (two hours on West Pearl River and Honey Island Swamp)
- Live jazz performance at Preservation Hall
- Explore wild river swamplands by boat in search of alligators
Landmarks Bourbon Street Garden District Preservation Hall Honey Island Swamp - Day 4
New Orleans to Natchez
Head out to Melrose Mansion in Natchez National Historical Park and tour the mid-1800s estate with its grounds, slave quarters, stables, and carriage house. From there, travel north along the river road to Natchez itself, the original Mississippi settlement. Spend time walking through the historic district where you'll find over 50 antebellum homes, historic churches, and places like the Under the Hill area and old cemeteries.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Melrose Mansion
- Self-guided tours of the grounds including slave quarters, stables, and carriage house
Landmarks Melrose Mansion Natchez National Historical Park Under the Hill - Day 5
Natchez to Clarksdale
Travel to Clarksdale and explore the Hopson Plantation, where blues pianist Pinetop Perkins once lived and where cotton picker innovations happened. Your leader talks through the sharecropping system and how the cotton industry changed over time. Check out the Delta Blues Museum, learn about Robert Johnson's Crossroads legend, visit Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club, and head to Red's for authentic live juke joint music.
Optional Activities
- Visit Hopson Plantation
- Visit Delta Blues Museum
- Visit Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club
- Live music at Red's juke joint
Landmarks Hopson Plantation Crossroads Delta Blues Museum Ground Zero Blues Club - Day 6
Clarksdale to Memphis
Cross into Tennessee and arrive in Memphis, a city built on musical legend. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum, which sits in the former Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King was assassinated. It's a powerful place that helps you understand this crucial part of both American and global history.
Included Activities
- Visit National Civil Rights Museum
Landmarks National Civil Rights Museum Beale Street 
- Day 7
Memphis
This is a highlight of your Memphis time. An included trip to Graceland takes you through Elvis Presley's iconic mansion with an audio guide. You'll see gold records, jeweled jumpsuits, and the famous Jungle Room with its green shag carpets. After that, head to the Meditation Garden to pay respects at the graves of Elvis and family members. Later, visit Sun Studio, the legendary 1950s recording studio where Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, and other greats laid down tracks.
Included Activities
- Audio-guided tour of Graceland mansion
- Meditation Garden at Graceland
- Visit to Sun Studio
Landmarks Graceland Sun Studio - Day 8
Memphis to Nashville
Leave Memphis and head to Nashville, the country music capital. This lively city is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Wildhorse Saloon, where you can try line dancing on certain nights. Broadway has honky-tonks and smaller live music venues packed with performers playing everything from country to other genres.
Optional Activities
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Wildhorse Saloon with line dancing (select nights only)
Landmarks Country Music Hall of Fame Wildhorse Saloon Broadway 
- Day 9
Nashville
You have a free day to explore Nashville on your own terms. If you want, head 15 miles east to the Opry House, the historic concert venue known for country music and regular live performances that showcase the genre at its best. Nashville itself sits on the Cumberland River and has plenty of other things to check out too.
Optional Activities
- Visit Opry House for live country music performances
Landmarks Opry House Cumberland River - Day 10
Nashville
Your Deep South tour wraps up in Nashville. If you'd like to stay longer and keep exploring this country music destination, contact your sales representative about arranging an extended stay.
