Itinerary ● 2 Weeks in the South (USA).
Few regions of the world can rival the captivating magic of the Southern States. Revered by the masses as the birthplace of the original, defining sounds of America — jazz and the blues — cities of this spell-binding region are bursting with culture, exhilarating nightlife, and delectable homegrown “soul food”.
Following this itinerary, you will endeavour on a life-affirming adventure as you unravel the countless layers that define the South. Beginning in the self-declared “music city” of Nashville, you will venture forth to explore the blissful serene wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains near Knoxville to recuperate from the inevitable nights of partying.
Rejuvenated and inspired by the natural beauty of the Smokey Mountains, you will continue onwards via Nashville to Memphis—a powerhouse of American music history—before completing the journey in the crown jewel of the South—the immortal jazz-capital of New Orleans.
🗺️ City Maps — Nashville ● Memphis + New Orleans.
✈️ Setting off.
Contain your excitement for just one moment! There are a few things we need to cover before saddling up to experience the majesty of the Southern States. Primarily, we need to look into everyone’s favourite aspect of the travel planning process — visas.
Luckily for UK citizens this is not a daunting task at all. Thanks to close ties with the US, holders of a UK passport are eligible for the visa-waiver program known as ESTA. Set aside 10 minutes and follow the link to apply for your visa at a total cost of £9.00 per applicant. Travellers from elsewhere, consult the US.gov site for more info.
💡 Useful resources.
In support of this 2-week itinerary, you can access a step-by-step pricing guide on how to book this exceptional tour for the most economical price. Click the link to access the pricing document and follow our recommendations on accommodation, car hire and tours. Travellers adopting a backpacker style can follow our budget options and secure the full 2-week expedition — flights inclusive — from £1,230 p/p.
Nashville — 3 nights.
The thriving state capital of Tennessee boasts a global reputation for its invaluable contributions to American culture. As you weave your way through the busy neon-laden thoroughfare of Broadway, it shouldn’t take long before you feel the magic seeping in.
Countless musical legends have honed their craft here in Nashville, with world-class artists making a pilgrimage here to pay respect and soak up the truly enchanting atmosphere that permeates throughout the city.
Famed for its vibrant live music scene, Nashville is a haven for music fans of all persuasions. Quickly transforming itself into a cosmopolitan city, it is easy to find hip bars frequented by a youthful clientele who have fully embraced the modern age of music. However, the true kingpin of Nashville’s music scene has yet to be dethroned despite the changing musical landscape — the pride of the locals: country music!
Savour the true flavours of home cooking—Southern style! A magical and authentic setting in a charming red-brick home in Germantown. Simple comfort dishes are made with sincerity and pride.
Mission statement from eccentric music icon Jack White. Capture the essence of the modern music scene in Nashville with a visit to this record store (📷 via: Flickr).
The term ‘honky-tonk’ has become the definitive term to describe all-night bars that specialise in curating the finest country musicians from far-and-wide to satisfy a huge audience of avid country music fans. Here on Broadway, you will stumble upon many institutions vying for the impossible title of Nashville’s finest honky-tonk. In this prime location, the rowdy crowds at Nudie’s Honky Tonk return night-after-night to cement its reputation amongst the absolute cream-of-the-crop.
The music scene here in Nashville is so vibrant that there is no such thing as a dull day for hitting the town. Once such venue offering a constant 7-day agenda lies tucked just out-of-sight down the delightful Printers Alley. Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar welcomes those in-the-know to join Tennesseans for an unforgettable evening of drinks, music and merry-making.
Bountiful treasures lie in wait for those who explore outwith the tourist centre of Nashville. The word is well-and-truly out amongst Americans, and Nashville has become established as one of most exciting hip-and-happening spots in the country. The result? An encroaching cosmopolitan vibe and youthful rejuvenation spreading across the suburban areas.
Perfect summer evenings in Nashville are spent mingling in the company of the famously friendly locals — wherever they may be. Washing down a healthy-helping of classic comfort food with some locally brewed craft beer is very much a way of life here, and it’s only polite to join. In the trendy neighbourhood of Five Points, the charming mood-lit garden at Rosemary & Beauty Queen (📷) has wooden benches and an on-site food truck awaiting your arrival.
the Great Smoky Mountains — 2 nights.
In the lush woodlands that encompass the Great Smoky Mountains, peace and respite is abundantly available to all who seek it out. Replete with mesmerising waterfalls, fairy-tale caverns and jaw-dropping vistas, nature lovers will be in paradise.
🔼 Above: Autumn’s arrival blankets the Smokies (📷) in dazzling shades of auburn and gold.
Following an action-packed weekend in Nashville, you would be forgiven for wanting to unwind a little bit. Tennesseans often feel the urge to reset and connect with nature — and who could blame them when there’s such astounding natural beauty a stone’s throw from the hustle-and-bustle.
A mere 2-hour drive is all that separates you from total immersion in the stunning forest-clad mountain landscapes that form Tennessee’s natural border with North Carolina. The emblematic Great Smoky Mountains are a cornerstone in folklore, providing divine inspiration for just about every wide-eyed traveller who finds themselves here.
The most magical waterfalls in the region are actually located on the road between Nashville and Knoxville. Make sure not to miss the staggering beauty of the monolithic Ozone Falls (📷), or the elegant cascading waters found at Twin Falls.
The small city of Knoxville serves as a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding wilderness, and is worthy of exploring in its own right.
Similar characteristics carry over here from Nashville: an amplified passion for country music, cheap beer and tantalising Southern comfort food. Make sure to conserve some of your energy for the evening time, because Knoxville has potential to surprise.
💡 Sure is a long drive from Knoxville to Memphis. We’d recommend an overnight stay in Nashville.
Memphis — 3 or 4 nights.
Music lovers — time to rejoice once again! You have arrived in yet another cultural colossus; renowned across the world for its important stature in the history of American music. Memphis radiates musical prowess from pretty much every nook and cranny in town. Timeless contributions left behind by legendary blues and soul musicians linger in the air, creating a palpable magic and connection to the enduring essence of soul and the blues.
This sentiment is especially true at the fabled Sun Studios (📷) — one of the most important locations in national history. Definitive hits from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Howlin’ Wolf and Roy Orbinson have all been coined and recorded within the hallowed walls of this unassuming brick building.
Speaking of the King; the outskirts of Memphis play host to a true pilgrimage site for Elvis fans: his lavish home estate of Graceland.
Located a brief 10 minute drive from the centre of Memphis, Stax Museum of American Soul is an essential visit for anybody who has every fallen in love with the spiritual sounds of soul music. The museum honours the headquarters of this legendary soul and blues record label which — in its heyday — churned out countless irresistible pop-soul hybrids alongside deep, funky grooves. Brush up on Stax classics before showing up to ensure the best experience. It’s Isaac Hayes all day long!
This trendy hangout acts as a veritable oasis in its industrial setting. Visit for unique takes on classic American food, ice cream, live music and ping-pong tables. The perfect spot for balmy summer afternoons (📷 via: Flickr).
Thanks to a reputation amongst locals for serving up irresistible fried chicken, this Memphis institution satisfies the comfort food cravings of its newfound global clientele (📷 via: Flickr).
Close to central station, the National Civil Rights Museum commemorates the location at which a devastating chapter in American history unfolded. The Lorraine Motel — now the site of the museum — is the exact location at which Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. Now, the establishment of this powerful museum serves as a monument to the Civil Rights Movement and a pertinent reminder that Dr. King’s dream of peace and prosperity carried on, not to be thwarted by evil-doers.
The bustling epicentre of Memphis is undoubtedly found within the neon-clad bars of Beale Street. The entertainment district that centres itself around this street is constantly full-of-life that it is impossible not to get whisked away in the tangible festivity that fills the air. Honky-tonks, blues bars and live street performers are commonplace here. Displayed in eye-catching neon colours, Rum Boogie Cafe (📷) beckons punters to “eat, drink, boogie, repeat”—and you might find yourself doing just that!
New Orleans — 4 nights.
Characterised by its seamless melange of cultures, New Orleans is a thriving epicentre for rowdy nightlife, mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine and classical French architecture. With most of the action confined within a relatively small tourist area, New Orleans manages to compact countless treasures that will have your yearning to return time and time again.
There is no better place to top-off a life-affirming tour of the South than visiting its crown jewel — the fine city of New Orleans (📷). For centuries, New Orleans has maintained a magical allure that has kept the city firmly in the psyche of the global populous.
Endearing and rich with history, the French Quarter remains one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the world. Founded in 1817 whilst Louisiana was under French occupation, the lavish mansions that define the district are distinctly colourful and display opulent balconies upon which many balmy summer evenings have been enjoyed.
🚋 Hop aboard one of the charming rustic streetcars that ferry passengers across town for public transport that is both affordable and full of character.
Raucous crowds run riot on the infamous Bourbon Street, inciting a jovial and infectious atmosphere of the colloquial ‘joie-de-vivre’ – with world renowned music clubs dotted across the French Quarter carrying the torch for the local exports of jazz and blues. You will dance, you will drink, you will uncover new realms of culinary pleasures, and you will most certainly make friends due to the omnipresence of true Southern hospitality.
Located about 1 hour from the city, historic plantation estates still stand to this day, offering a stark glimpse into the reality of African-American oppression under slavery. The idyllic thoroughfare of Oak Alley Plantation (📷) is lined with arched trees leading up to the home at its centre. Not far from here, a ramshackle re-construction of the plantation’s slave quarters faithfully displays how opulence was afforded to slave-owners at the expense of individual freedoms.
Nearby, the Whitney Plantation offers an even more eye-opening expedition. An emotionally stirring open-air exhibition, the land of the former Whitney Plantation is now owned by descendants of the people who were once repressed here. Guided tours of the property lay bare the atrocities of slavery, with emphasis given to day-to-day life on the plantation.
The meandering side-streets of the French Quarter behold many treasures for travellers to uncover, however, the most exhilarating action in New Orleans unfolds on its two most renowned streets. The neon-clad Bourbon Street is often the first port-of-call for visitors to the French Quarter, due to its reputation as the beating heart of the city.
True to the tales that have been spun concerning the antics that ensue here, Bourbon Street really does offer a unique and rowdy night out. On the flip-side, party-goers on Frenchmen Street (📷) dance the night away in some of the most famous jazz clubs in the world – albeit, with no less bourbon and beer to fuel their moves!
