Chicago, Memphis & New Orleans Rail Holiday • View Itinerary
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Visit Elvis’ Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
Chicago Bean, Millennium Park
Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan
Amtrak Rail
Sun Studio, Memphis
Graceland Mansion, Memphis
Jackson Square, New Orleans
French Quarter, New Orleans
New Orleans from a Paddle Steamer
French Quarter, New Orleans

Jazz, Blues & Rock ‘N’ Roll

9 day Rail Holiday – from £1249

With flights from £1849

Take in the sights and sounds of Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans on this tour of America’s musical roots, with activities in each city included.

Highlights:
  • Discover the blues scene of Chicago
  • Take a tour of Elvis’ Mansion, Graceland
  • Explore New Orleans’ French Quarter
  • Cruise the Mississippi on a paddle-wheeler
  • Enjoy a night on board the City of New Orleans train

Your Itinerary

Expand All

You can customise your Chicago to New Orleans rail holiday by adding extra nights or activities. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Chicago Bean, Millennium Park

Day 1 – Welcome to Chicago

Welcome to Chicago! Make your way to your hotel, where you can relax after your flight…

Welcome to Chicago! Make your way to your hotel, where you can relax after your flight or head out to explore the ‘Windy City’.

To help you get around, you will have a two day pass for the Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus, which stops by all the top attractions, informative commentary en route. Hop off at Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate (aka The Bean!), at Navy Pier to ride the Ferris wheel or grab a “cheezborger” at Billy Goat Tavern, or at Water Tower, to wander down Magnificent Mile past upmarket shops and trendy restaurants.

    Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point or similar

Chicago Bean, Millennium Park
Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan

Day 2 – Chicago

Use your hop-on hop-off pass to continue exploring Chicago today. For spectacular views over the city…

Use your hop-on hop-off pass to continue exploring Chicago today. For spectacular views over the city and Lake Michigan, there are two fabulous observation decks in town; CHICAGO 360 at 875 North Michigan Avenue, and Skydeck at the iconic Willis Tower.

In the evening, check out the city’s famous music scene at Blue Chicago, The Basement, Kingston Mines or another of the city’s blues clubs. Dinner this evening at a popular restaurant in Chicago is included.

    Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point or similar

    Dinner
Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan
Amtrak Rail

Day 3 – Chicago to Memphis

After a last leisurely day in Chicago, make your way to the station and board Amtrak’s…

After a last leisurely day in Chicago, make your way to the station and board Amtrak’s City of New Orleans train for a relaxing overnight trip south to Memphis. You’ll travel the length of Illinois, before cutting the corner of both Missouri and Arkansas to arrive into Tennessee.

    Overnight on board the train

Amtrak Rail
Sun Studio, Memphis

Day 4 – Memphis

The train rolls into Memphis early in the morning. Make your way to your hotel, then…

The train rolls into Memphis early in the morning. Make your way to your hotel, then head out to explore the sights and sounds of this musical city. A fun way to get around is by using the city’s historic trollies, recently brought back into service. Head to Sun Studio to see where Elvis, Roy Orbison and Jonny Cash recorded some of their best known records, or the Stax Museum dedicated to American soul. In the evening there is only one place to go; the neon-lit Beale Street, where you should find live music most nights of the week.

    Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or similar

Sun Studio, Memphis
Graceland Mansion, Memphis

Day 5 – Memphis & Graceland

Today, enjoy a guided tour of Memphis and nearby Graceland. With a local expert, you’ll head…

Today, enjoy a guided tour of Memphis and nearby Graceland. With a local expert, you’ll head Downtown, to the Mississippi River, along Beale Street, to the Peabody Hotel (home of the famous duck parade!) and to many more wonderful attractions! At Graceland, you’ll get a glimpse into the the life of ‘The King’, before stopping in the Meditation Garden to see his final resting place, alongside his parents.

    Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or similar

Graceland Mansion, Memphis
Jackson Square, New Orleans

Day 6 – New Orleans

Make your way to the station and board the Amtrak train to New Orleans. Take in…

Make your way to the station and board the Amtrak train to New Orleans. Take in the Southern scenery as you travel the history-laden musical roads of Mississippi before crossing into to Louisiana. Upon your arrival, head to your hotel, where you can settle in for the night or start exploring this famous city, the birthplace of jazz.

    Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

Jackson Square, New Orleans
French Quarter, New Orleans

Day 7 – New Orleans

After a leisurely morning, join a city tour of New Orleans. Absorb the sights and…

After a leisurely morning, join a city tour of New Orleans. Absorb the sights and sounds of the French Quarter and Jackson Square, and explore the historic cemeteries, often referred to as ‘Cities of the Dead’. Marvel at the fascinating stories of voodoo and piracy on Bayou St. John, the waterway used by Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates, and see one of the world’s longest bridges, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. 

    Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

    Brunch
French Quarter, New Orleans
New Orleans from a Paddle Steamer

Day 8 – New Orleans

For your last full day in the South, there’s a special experience in store; a river…

For your last full day in the South, there’s a special experience in store; a river cruise on a paddle-wheeler on the mighty Mississippi! Take in the amazing views of the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans, as the boat’s captain entertains you with a detailed narration of the city’s landmarks, history and river lore. Disembark at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. 

    Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

New Orleans from a Paddle Steamer
French Quarter, New Orleans

Day 9 – Farewell from New Orleans

Your Chicago to New Orleans rail holiday comes to an end today. You can add extra…

Your Chicago to New Orleans rail holiday comes to an end today. You can add extra nights in the ‘Big Easy’ or head to the airport to catch your flight home.

French Quarter, New Orleans

Your Itinerary

You can customise your Chicago to New Orleans rail holiday by adding extra nights or activities. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Day 1

|

Welcome to Chicago

Welcome to Chicago! Make your way to your hotel, where you can relax after your flight or head out to explore the ‘Windy City’.

To help you get around, you will have a two day pass for the Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus, which stops by all the top attractions, informative commentary en route. Hop off at Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate (aka The Bean!), at Navy Pier to ride the Ferris wheel or grab a “cheezborger” at Billy Goat Tavern, or at Water Tower, to wander down Magnificent Mile past upmarket shops and trendy restaurants.

    Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point or similar

Chicago Bean, Millennium Park

Day 2

|

Chicago

Use your hop-on hop-off pass to continue exploring Chicago today. For spectacular views over the city and Lake Michigan, there are two fabulous observation decks in town; CHICAGO 360 at 875 North Michigan Avenue, and Skydeck at the iconic Willis Tower.

In the evening, check out the city’s famous music scene at Blue Chicago, The Basement, Kingston Mines or another of the city’s blues clubs. Dinner this evening at a popular restaurant in Chicago is included.

    Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point or similar

    Dinner
Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan

Day 3

|

Chicago to Memphis

After a last leisurely day in Chicago, make your way to the station and board Amtrak’s City of New Orleans train for a relaxing overnight trip south to Memphis. You’ll travel the length of Illinois, before cutting the corner of both Missouri and Arkansas to arrive into Tennessee.

    Overnight on board the train

Amtrak Rail

Day 4

|

Memphis

The train rolls into Memphis early in the morning. Make your way to your hotel, then head out to explore the sights and sounds of this musical city. A fun way to get around is by using the city’s historic trollies, recently brought back into service. Head to Sun Studio to see where Elvis, Roy Orbison and Jonny Cash recorded some of their best known records, or the Stax Museum dedicated to American soul. In the evening there is only one place to go; the neon-lit Beale Street, where you should find live music most nights of the week.

    Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or similar

Sun Studio, Memphis

Day 5

|

Memphis & Graceland

Today, enjoy a guided tour of Memphis and nearby Graceland. With a local expert, you’ll head Downtown, to the Mississippi River, along Beale Street, to the Peabody Hotel (home of the famous duck parade!) and to many more wonderful attractions! At Graceland, you’ll get a glimpse into the the life of ‘The King’, before stopping in the Meditation Garden to see his final resting place, alongside his parents.

    Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or similar

Graceland Mansion, Memphis

Day 6

|

New Orleans

Make your way to the station and board the Amtrak train to New Orleans. Take in the Southern scenery as you travel the history-laden musical roads of Mississippi before crossing into to Louisiana. Upon your arrival, head to your hotel, where you can settle in for the night or start exploring this famous city, the birthplace of jazz.

    Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

Jackson Square, New Orleans

Day 7

|

New Orleans

After a leisurely morning, join a city tour of New Orleans. Absorb the sights and sounds of the French Quarter and Jackson Square, and explore the historic cemeteries, often referred to as ‘Cities of the Dead’. Marvel at the fascinating stories of voodoo and piracy on Bayou St. John, the waterway used by Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates, and see one of the world’s longest bridges, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. 

    Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

    Brunch
French Quarter, New Orleans

Day 8

|

New Orleans

For your last full day in the South, there’s a special experience in store; a river cruise on a paddle-wheeler on the mighty Mississippi! Take in the amazing views of the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans, as the boat’s captain entertains you with a detailed narration of the city’s landmarks, history and river lore. Disembark at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. 

    Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

New Orleans from a Paddle Steamer

Day 9

|

Farewell from New Orleans

Your Chicago to New Orleans rail holiday comes to an end today. You can add extra nights in the ‘Big Easy’ or head to the airport to catch your flight home.

French Quarter, New Orleans

This Rail Holiday Includes

7 nights hotel accommodation
1 nights onboard the train
1 dinner and 1 brunch
Excursions and activities as detailed in the itinerary
Mississippi River Cruise

Flights & More

Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.

They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:

  • An upgrade to a Roomette or a Bedroom
  • Extra nights in Chicago, Memphis or New Orleans

Next Step

Please get in touch with our America Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.

Jazz, Blues & Rock ‘N’ Roll

9 day Rail Holiday – from £1249

With flights from £1849

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room and include meals where shown. Seasonal variations may apply. Hotel and room facilities vary and may be subject to additional fees. Some hotels require payment of local city taxes on arrival. Amtrak travel is for Coach Accommodations unless otherwise stated.

Jazz, Blues & Rock ‘N’ Roll

Map

Jazz Blues & Rock 'n' Roll Rail Map

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