Southern Blues Adventure

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New Orleans New York

Visits 6 destinations

9 Days

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Climb aboard and tick off must-see locations with epic roadside stop-offs thrown in along the way!

If you’re up for a whirlwind American adventure with the best experiences across the South and the East states, we’ve got you covered! Over 9 days you’ll enjoy the southern hospitality of Nashville, lose yourself in the sweet and soulful blues sounds of Memphis and gaze at the White House and Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Check off these major must-see locations, with some epic roadside stop-offs along the way. This adventure wraps up in the urban jungle of the Big Apple, so get out there and take a bite!

We spend 9 days exploring USA. We visit New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Asheville, Washington DC, New York.

What Is Included...

  • Your fantastic Busabout crew

  • 8 nights’ accommodation

  • 6 breakfasts

  • All coach transport

Trip Highlights
  • Travel through the heartland of blues and soul music
  • Sample southern food and hospitality
  • Discover the Paris of the south, Asheville

Check these off your bucket list

Asheville Asheville
New York New York
New Orleans New Orleans

9 Day Itinerary

Southern Blues Adventure 9 day full itinerary breakdown and route map

Day 1

New Orleans to Memphis

Climb aboard and settle in, it’s time to kick-start the adventure and make our departure from New Orleans! We’re on the road early this morning, starting our journey through the heartland of blues and soul music, through Mississippi and into Tennessee. Our destination of Memphis is not only steeped full of blues history, but also the birthplace of rock & roll and the American Civil Rights Movement. On arrival we’ll have a driving tour to get you orientated with the main sights – we’ll pass by the Blues Hall of Fame, National Civil Rights Museum, Orpheum Theatre, Mud Island and the Rock N’ Soul Museum to name a few! Tonight, we’ll head out to Beale Street, famous for legends such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Louis Armstrong all having played on the street. Now the area hosts bars, restaurants and shops to explore.

Day 2

Memphis

Spend today however you wish, with a free day in Memphis! Why not go for an optional excursion to the home of the king himself, Elvis Presley? You’ll get an intimate look at his 14-acre mansion (including a guitar-shaped swimming pool!). This impressive tour provides insight into the life of the legend, and also happens to be where he was buried. If Elvis doesn’t pique your interest, then a trip to the birthplace of rock & roll might! Sun Studios has hosted numerous musical legends, including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Elvis and U2. If you feel like getting out and stretching those legs then head to Mud Island and enjoy its River Walk, which is a miniature recreation of the Mississippi River. If you’re a history buff, you should check out the Civil Rights museum and learn more about the South. Tonight, we’re hitting the town and heading back to Beale Street to make the most of the incredible blues performances!

Day 3

Memphis to Nashville

We hit the road this morning and make our way to another city of rich musical heritage today, Nashville! Settle in for the drive, as we pass by Jackson (the place Johnny Cash sang about) before arriving in Nashville, the home of country music. The city is also known for its amazing Southern food, with spicy hot chicken being the local specialty. Tonight, try and catch a show at the Ryman Theatre, famous for being the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, a Nashville institution, and now the host of some of the greatest musicians in the world.

Day 4

Nashville

Hit the streets bright and early today to make the most of Nashville. A tonne of experiences awaits you, so explore the quintessential attractions and get busy sightseeing. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the recreation of the ancient Parthenon, RCA Studios, the Johnny Cash Museum, and The Grand Ole Opry (which made country music famous) are all great options to check out. For a breathtaking view of the Nashville skyline, head to the John Seigenthaler Bridge - one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world! Tonight, you should visit Broadway, the lively main street downtown. There are tonnes of honky-tonks lining the streets, making bar-hopping easy; just watch out for all the horse-drawn carriages. Grab some tasty local food while listening to the hum of the crowds and music of the street performers.

Day 5

Nashville to Asheville

Today we bid farewell to Nashville and climb aboard our trusty coach for an early departure. We’ll be heading into North Carolina (don’t forget to wind your clocks forward an hour!) towards our destination of Asheville - the Paris of the South. We’ll stop on the way to stretch our legs at the charming town of Knoxville. Have lunch at one of the local joints and walk to the Sunsphere if you’re after a panoramic view of the city. It stands 81 metres high with an observation deck and a 360-degree view of the city! Once you’ve taken your snaps for the ‘gram, we’ll continue our drive to Asheville. Once there, we’ll have some time to wander downtown following the sculptural urban trail, which honours the people and communities who helped shape Asheville into the city it is today. For sunset, we’ll head to a rooftop bar to see why the locals call this place “The Land of Skies”. You won’t forget the incredible view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains! Later we’ll grab some dinner and see where the night takes us.

Day 6

Asheville

Today we bid farewell to Nashville and climb aboard our trusty coach for an early departure. We’ll be heading into North Carolina (don’t forget to wind your clocks forward an hour!) towards our destination of Asheville - the Paris of the South. We’ll stop on the way to stretch our legs at the charming town of Knoxville. Have lunch at one of the local joints and walk to the Sunsphere if you’re after a panoramic view of the city. It stands 81 metres high with an observation deck and a 360-degree view of the city! Once you’ve taken your snaps for the ‘gram, we’ll continue our drive to Asheville. Once there, we’ll have some time to wander downtown following the sculptural urban trail, which honours the people and communities who helped shape Asheville into the city it is today. For sunset, we’ll head to a rooftop bar to see why the locals call this place “The Land of Skies”. You won’t forget the incredible view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains! Later we’ll grab some dinner and see where the night takes us.

Day 7

Asheville to Washington D.C.

If you had a big night last night then settle down, get coach-cosy and catch up on some sleep today as we depart Asheville and journey to Washington D.C. We’ll make our arrival into the capital in the early evening and give you a driving tour around the city to help you get your bearings. We’ll pass the major landmarks to whet our appetites for a day of exploration tomorrow. Once we’ve checked in, you’re free to head out and explore the city’s food and bar scene.

Day 8

Washington D.C.

This morning join an optional bike tour to see the best attractions and monuments in the city. You’ll visit the White House, Capitol Building, and the Washington and Lincoln Memorials to name a few! The tour lasts about 3 hours, so you have the afternoon to explore further. We recommend visiting the Smithsonian Museums, which include The National Gallery of Art, The National Museum of American History, The National Air and Space Museum and many more – all with free entry. Tours of the Capitol Building are also worthwhile, or a trip to the International Spy Museum if the world of espionage interests you! For shopping, head to the Georgetown area. This evening you can find a good spot to enjoy happy hour and let the good times roll.

Day 9

Washington D.C. to Philadelphia to New York

The final day of our adventure has arrived, so let’s make the most of it! We’ve still got ground left to cover and a lot of sights left to see on our last leg of the journey, so don’t start thinking about home just yet. We’ll depart Washington D.C. and drive to Philadelphia. This city played an important role in the American Revolution as a meeting place for the founding fathers of the United States. We’ll check out the Liberty Bell, visit the famous steps from Rocky, see some of the vivid street art, and try a local favourite - Philly cheese steak! We’ll hop back on the coach and make our way to our final stop, New York. After arriving it’s time to say farewell to your travel buddies. We’re sure you’ve made some incredible memories as well as some lasting friendships over our time together. We hope to see you again soon!

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