Red, White and Blues Adventure

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Fort Worth New York

Visits 9 destinations

14 Days

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Treat your tongue to the tastes of a nation and your ears to legendary musicians. Treat yourself to America.

Music is the great uniter and food is the best medicine; on this trip we seek to gorge on both. From the sizzling steaks of Texas to the smooth jazz of New Orleans, the soulful Blues of Memphis to the sinful cheesesteaks of Philadelphia. Treat your tongue to the tastes of a nation and your ears to the sweet melody of the States’ legendary musicians. Treat yourself to America.

We spend 14 days exploring USA. We visit Fort Worth, Austin, Lafayette, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Asheville, Washington DC, New York.

What Is Included...

  • Your fantastic Busabout crew

  • 13 nights’ accommodation

  • 11 breakfasts

  • All coach transport

  • Visit an alligator rescue centre in Louisiana

  • Take a tour of Avery Island Tabasco Factory  

Trip Highlights
  • Visit the party capitals of Austin and New Orleans
  • Travel from the Wild West and the Deep South, to the bright lights of the Big Apple
  • Eat Texas BBQs, Southern chicken and try craft beers

Check these off your bucket list

Nashville Nashville
New Orleans New Orleans
Washington D.C. Washington D.C.

14 Day Itinerary

Red, White and Blues Adventure 14 day full itinerary breakdown and route map

Day 1

Fort Worth to Austin

The start of our epic two week trip begins and we’re headed to Austin! Waco––the home of Dr Pepper––is our first stop, so you can explore the Dr Pepper Museum or shop for artisanal goods at the Magnolia Markets. Onwards and we’ll arrive in Austin around lunchtime so head out and indulge in the boutique shops and restaurants of South Congress Avenue. You’d be remiss in your duties as an adventurer if you didn’t take this opportunity to purchase a pair of Texan boots and a Stetson. After check-in, head out with your guide to embrace Austin’s quirky attractions. Known for its live music and ‘out-there’ vibe, Austin is the perfect hybrid of innovation and old-school cool. Later, we’ll hit up the famous Austin food truck scene followed by an evening of bar hopping and dancing at Rainey St’s quirky bungalow bars!

Day 2

Austin 

Explore Austin however you see fit today; you’re free to do your own thing! This is the fastest growing city in the U.S., so if you’re bored, you’re doing it wrong! “Keep Austin Weird” is the city’s motto; a slogan that perfectly represents the city’s ongoing support of local talents, however unique they may be. Visit attractions like the Cathedral of Junk, Zilker Park and witness a horde of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take to the skies from Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset. Once you’re done gawping at the bats, mosey on over to Sixth Street to experience the life-blood of this thriving city: live music.

Day 3

Austin to Lafayette 

Shh, we’re sneaking out of Austin early this morning because we’re scared that if it notices us leave it’ll convince us to stay. And we’ve still got plenty to see. Lafayette, you’re up! First though, we’ll visit an alligator rescue centre where we’ll be cradling baby gators and trying desperately not to fall in love with them. Here we’ll learn all about the efforts to reintroduce them to the wild. After tearing ourselves away from the cute crocs, we arrive at our destination of Lafayette, Louisiana. You’ll have the option of joining a swamp tour before we head into town for dinner and live music. Louisiana’s famous for its Cajun and Creole cuisine, so park your backside at any number of fine establishments and go to town!   

Day 4

Lafayette to Avery Island to New Orleans 

Lafayette, you were lovely, but we’re off to the Big Easy, New Orleans! First, we’ll stop at the Avery Island Tabasco Factory for a crash course in all things hot sauce. We’ll enjoy an included tour of the factory to learn all about the home of Tabasco sauce! Indulge in some onsite lunch at their restaurant, or wander around the Jungle Gardens. Once we’re Tabasco’d out, we’ll continue onwards to New Orleans, arriving mid-afternoon. Gawp at the French quarter with its cobblestone streets and the historical Jackson Square at the centre. Lined with heritage houses and vibrant street performers, there’re bars and restaurants spread throughout the area. The Big Easy’s biggest export? Jazz music. Tonight, head out on a musical voyage to the smoothest joins in this cool, cool town.

Day 5

New Orleans

Today, explore New Orleans at your leisure! Grab some coffee and a waffle breakfast, then wander the French Quarter. Explore the lakefront or go bargain hunting in the Magazine Street flea markets. For lunch, hit up Willie Mae’s Scotch House, which has been diligently serving up the best fried chicken in New Orleans for the best part of fifty years! Busabout tip: try the red beans and rice! Later, it’d be a sin not to check out Rev. Zombie’s Voodoo Shop where you’ll learn more about the city’s voodoo heritage. Tonight, venture back over to Frenchman Street to enjoy more smooth jazz and local cuisine.  

Day 6

New Orleans to Memphis 

Today we’ll be departing from the home of smooth jazz to the heartland of blues and soul. After lunch in Jackson, Mississippi we’ll arrive at our destination of Memphis in the afternoon. This may be the capital of blues music history, but Memphis has a second love, and claims to be the birthplace of rock & roll. Not only that, this city nurtured the American civil rights movement and was home to the King himself, Elvis Presley. And don’t even get us started on the succulent BBQ food… To orientate ourselves we’ll start with a driving tour of the city, passing sights like the Civil Rights Museum, the Rock and Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, Orpheum Theatre and the Peabody Hotel. This evening we’ll venture to historic Beale Street, where B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Louis Armstrong all historically performed. Hit up any number of bars or eateries and let the sounds of a musical city carry you away.

Day 7

Memphis  

Explore Memphis to your heart’s content today! Join us on an optional excursion to Graceland. The 14-acre mansion is a must-see and offers an intimate look at the life of Elvis Presley. Pay your respects at the King’s grave, then marvel at the guitar shaped swimming pool. Keep the musical vibes coming with a visit to Sun Studios, where it’s claimed rock & roll was born. Legends like Johnny Cash, U2 and Roy Orbison all recorded here. For modern history fans, learn about the civil rights movement at the National Civil Rights Museum. Or if you’re feeling active, check out the river walk on Mud Island. If you’re musical bone’s itching, head back to Beale Street to soak up more tunes and chilled vibes. 

Day 8

Memphis to Nashville 

We’re gonna keep the tunes coming today as we journey to the home of country music, Nashville. Farewell Memphis, we’re hitting the road and passing through Jackson, Tennessee (of Johnny Cash fame) along the way. After check-in, we’ll indulge on some of Nashville’s famous southern food, particularly the chicken. Fair warning: the locals like it spicy, so keep your water handy! Tonight, head on over to the Ryman Theatre, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, and now host to some of the greatest musicians in the world. 

Day 9

Nashville 

Nashville isn’t only home to country ballads and eye-wateringly spicy grub, today it’s your mission to discover this beautiful city’s hidden and not-so-hidden gems! Check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Centennial Park, RCA Studios, the Johnny Cash Museum, the Grand Ole Opry and more! Wanna bask in Nashville’s spectacular skyline? Venture to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for unbeatable views. Run out of time? Well the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Head over to Broadway, downtown’s main street, for honky-tonk bar-hopping, other-worldly food, live music and wild times.

Day 10

Nashville to Asheville 

Good morning! Today let our comfy coach carry you safely to the Paris of the South, Asheville. We’ll depart early for North Carolina, stopping in Knoxville to stretch our legs. Here we’ll chow-down at one of the local eateries then have a quick gawp at the Sunsphere. This beaut stands 81 metres high with an observation deck and a 360 degree view of the city. Then it’s time to say cya to Knoxville because we’re clambering back onboard the coach and heading for Asheville, where we’ll arrive in the afternoon. Get settled before wandering downtown, following the sculptural urban trail. There’s no better route to see the sights. Surrounding Asheville are the Blue Ridge Mountains, so as sunset arrives, we’ll be chilling in a rooftop bar, enjoying great vantages of the view. Tonight, we hit the town to experience the popular music and food scene. 

Day 11

Asheville 

Get out there and enjoy Asheville! Or, if you fancy it, join your guide and get back to nature with a trip down to the Blue Ridge Parkway where we’ll stop for hikes, visit some waterfalls, and hit up some lookouts. If nature’s a no-no, you can visit the River Arts district, an area where creatives flock in their masses. Here you’ll be besotted by countless murals, hip studios, gaggles of galleries and a whole host of street musicians. More of a history buff? Check out Biltmore Estate, a French-style chateau built in 1889, which you might recognise from the movie Richie Rich! Embark on a tour of the estate and visit its winery for a free tasting (or two). Asheville may look all innocent and precious on the outside, but within lurks a dark, delicious secret: 30 craft beer breweries. That’s right, this sweet cherub of a city has a wild side. Tonight, we’ll get to know that side as we venture to the South Slope brewery district to sample local brews, grab dinner in a BBQ restaurant and, if you’re up for it, visit Vortex Donuts for a sugary, beer-flavoured treat! 

Day 12

Asheville to Washington D.C.

Today enjoy a smooth coach ride as we bid farewell to Asheville and begin our journey to Washington, D.C. We’ll arrive into the capital this afternoon, and enjoy a driving tour of the city, where we’ll get to whet our adventuring appetites with views of its major landmarks and historical sites. After being thoroughly teased by D.C.’s stunning views, we’ll check-in to our accommodation before setting you free to head out and explore the city’s food and bar scene.  

Day 13

Washington D.C. 

Rise and shine, you’re in the Capital of the United States of America, so salute the flag and get to exploring! Join an optional bike tour, and take in the various monuments found loitering around the capital area. The White House is a big one, and so’s the Capitol Building, not to mention the Washington and Lincoln Memorials! There’s so much to see we couldn’t possibly recommend it all, so how you spend the afternoon is up to you! Mosey on over to the Smithsonian Museums, which all have free entry and include the National Gallery of Art, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and others. The Newseum and The International Spy Museum are also must-sees! Looking to spend some dough? Georgetown area has you covered for a classic American shopping experience. Though D.C. isn’t much of a party town, it’s definitely a happy hour city! You can hit up a good happy hour for some early evening frivolity before heading back to the accommodation.  

Day 14

Washington D.C. to Philadelphia to New York 

And so it is, the final curtain. We’ve faced the music and thus begins the final day of our epic adventure. Fret not, adventurer, as there’s still many a grand sight yet to be seen. We depart D.C. bright and early this morning and head on over to Philadelphia. The home of Rocky, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and M. Night Shyamalan films, there’s plenty to see and only 3 hours to explore, so check out the Liberty Bell and try one of the famous Philly Cheesesteaks! After lunch we’ll board the coach for our final drive, arriving in New York in the early evening. It’s time to bid farewell to your travel comrades and reflect on the road trip of a lifetime. We hope to see you again soon! 

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