OVERVIEW

This 7-day, self-drive tour offers a compelling mix of music, history, culture and food, covering America’s major musical genres—jazz, blues, country and rock’n’roll. Australians, familiar with vibrant music festivals and multi‑cultural experiences, will find kinship in the live‑music atmosphere, from Chicago’s blues clubs to New Orleans’s jazz dens. The gourmet highlights—deep‑dish pizza, barbecue, Creole and Cajun fare—provide a delicious contrast to Aussie flavours. Plus, the iconic drive down the Great River Road delivers classic American open‑road adventure through diverse small towns and scenic landscapes.

Begin in vibrant Chicago, soaking in iconic attractions like Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), Millennium Park, the Skydeck at Willis Tower and Navy Pier. Immerse yourself in world-class museums (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute), sample deep‑dish pizza and craft beers, and experience the city’s legendary blues scene.

Depart Illinois via Route 66 to Springfield, enjoying nostalgic stops such as a root‑beer float in Girard, then delve into American history at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Old State Capitol, and Lincoln’s Home.

Drive to St Louis, where you’ll ascend the Gateway Arch, stroll through vibrant music districts (Soulard, the Loop) and visit the National Blues Museum.

Continue southbound to Nashville and Memphis, famed hubs of American music. Explore Music Row, tour RCA Studio B in Nashville, plus catch live performances at the Grand Ole Opry and honky‑tonk bars. In Memphis, visit Sun Studio, Graceland, the Stax Museum, and walk along Beale Street.

Travel through the Mississippi Delta to Cleveland and Natchez, with stops at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Centre, and experience the region’s profound blues heritage.

Finally arrive in New Orleans, exploring the French Quarter, historic cemeteries, voodoo lore, jazz hotspots on Frenchmen Street and Preservation Hall, as well as savouring regional cuisine—beignets, jambalaya and Andouille sausage

This amazing “Rhythms of the River” tour is a well‑paced 8‑day drive filled with enriching stops, engaging experiences, and a profound connection to American cultural roots, making it an unforgettable journey perfectly suited for adventurous Australian travellers. 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • Architectural marvels & Chicago deep‑dish and craft beer scene

  • Iconic Route 66 Americana and Lincoln heritage

  • Gateway Arch and St Louis’s blues culture

  • Nashville’s recording studios & Grand Ole Opry

  • Memphis soul: Sun Studio, Graceland & Beale Street

  • Historic Mississippi Delta & blues birthplace

  • New Orleans jazz, voodoo folklore, Creole cuisine & riverboats

  • And much more…

     7 days

     From $6,985* per person, twin share

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Inclusions

  • 7-Day Car Rental
  • 8 Nights Accommodation

Itinerary

Chicago is the third-largest city in the USA and is definitely worth exploring. From its diverse neighbourhoods to the shorefront on Lake Michigan to the vibrant downtown area, there is so much to see and do.

Talk to us about including one or more days in the ‘Windy City’ along with a Chicago GoCity Pass to enhance your experience.

 

Chicago to Springfield, Illinois (3 hours 15 minutes / 326 km)

From Chicago, head out on historic Route 66 for a true slice of Americana.
The famous road, which winds from Chicago to Los Angeles, traverses nearly
300 miles (483 kilometres) in Illinois and is dotted with homey cafés, quirky
shops and unique roadside attractions.

Snap a photo in front of the towering
Railsplitter Covered Wagon in Lincoln or the huge pink elephant near the
Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston. Explore Route 66 memorabilia at
the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac.

From here, drive about two hours south to learn about Abraham Lincoln’s
life in Springfield at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum,
the Old State Capitol and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

Accommodation: Springfield, Illinois

 

Springfield, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri (1 hour 25 minutes / 155 km)

Enjoy a root beer float or a giant banana split at Doc’s Soda Fountain in
Girard, Illinois on Route 66 (just about 30 minutes from Springfield) on the
way to St. Louis, where you can visit the Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made
monument in the USA. The arch has welcomed visitors for 50 years with its
iconic shape.

The vision of renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the Gateway
Arch commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s vision and St. Louis’ role in the
westward expansion of the United States. St. Louis is also renowned for its
diverse music scene. Visit the Soulard neighborhood for stellar live music,
enjoy a delicious meal and music at a trendy suburban bistro, or spend an
evening exploring the Loop, with its music clubs, ethnic restaurants and
unique boutiques.

Take time to visit Blueberry Hill (where Chuck Berry
played regularly) or The Beale on Broadway to see live Blues, Soul and R&B,
and do not miss the National Blues Museum.

Accommodation: St. Louis, Missouri

 

 

Day 3: St. Louis, Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee

No music tour would be complete without a visit to Nashville, Tennessee, home to Country music. At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, recordings, touch screens and memorabilia trace Country music from its roots to the present. The museum also offers tours of RCA Studio B, where artists such as Dolly Parton recorded songs.

The Grand Ole Opry is the place to see today’s Country music stars perform. For a variety of genres, catch a concert at the Ryman Auditorium, the historic church building that was once the home of the Opry. Nearby, new art flows regularly into the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (its Art Deco architecture is worth a stop for its own sake). Hungry? Find a meat and-three restaurant, where you’ll select one meat and three side dishes from a list of homespun choices (try golden-fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, corn, and collard greens accented with pork). Extend your stay in Nashville to see all the city has to offer.

Accommodation: Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville to Memphis, Tennessee

Head back to the Great River Road and the Mississippi River toward Memphis, Tennessee. In this pilgrimage city for music-lovers, tour Sun Studio to stand where Blues and Rock legends such as B.B. King and Elvis Presley recorded some of their earliest hits. For an intimate look at Presley’s life, tour his Graceland estate. At the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the rhythm shifts to Soul and Gospel. View memorabilia from Stax artists including Otis Redding
and Isaac Hayes, whose gold-plated Cadillac is displayed.

For a sampling of Memphis’ contemporary sounds, walk Beale Street, where live music seems to drift from every open door. The aroma of barbecue fills the air, too. Savour local specialties that include dry-rubbed ribs and smoked pulled-pork sandwiches.

 

 Memphis, Tennessee to Cleveland, Mississippi

Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail to Clarksdale, Mississippi, located at the intersection of highways 61 and 49 (‘the crossroads’). Clarksdale and the surrounding Delta region are known as ‘the land where the blues began’, making this the perfect home to the Delta Blues Museum.

Continue south to Cleveland, Mississippi, home to Dockery Farms, which was established in 1895 to produce cotton. Charley Patton was among the African Americans who worked here; he later contributed to a culture that inspired the Blues, a true American art form. Also in Cleveland is the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi.

 

Cleveland to Natchez, Mississippi
En-route to joining the Natchez Trace Parkway, stop at Indianola, Mississippi. Visit the B.B. King Museum to learn about the map who helped popularize the Blues, a truly American art form.
Join the Natchez Trace Parkway as you continue your journey to Natchez, Mississippi, the oldest settlement in Mississippi. The journey will take you past bygone plantations and restored antebellum mansions. Take time to explore some of these incredible homes that tell the stories of the South.

Natchez, Mississippi to New Orleans, Louisiana

2 hours and 50 minutes / 283km

The last leg of your road trip will take you to New Orleans, Louisiana where the mighty Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way, make a stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital city and the hub of all things Louisiana. Baton Rouge is the perfect place to explore the eclectic culture of this amazing state. The city has more than 300 years of history, much of which can be seen in distinct architecture, tasted in delectable food, and learned through its unique culture.

After visiting Baton Rouge, head to New Orleans. With its centuries-old cottages and elaborate, historic cemeteries, the city is a photographer’s delight. Guided tours are an ideal way to learn about this special place.

Join a stroll through the historic French Quarter or take a tour of New Orleans’ cemeteries, voodoo and ghost lore. New Orleans is also a musical city. At Preservation Hall, a rotating lineup of fabulous musicians plays traditional New Orleans Jazz in the most intimate, acoustic environment. Queue up early for standing-room-only space or plan to purchase one of the venue’s limited seats.

Elsewhere in the city, Frenchmen Street is a hub for live music, lined with venues such as The Spotted Cat Music Club. The cozy room packs as many as three bands nightly, spotlighting various forms of Jazz.

Cuisine and the cocktail culture are vital to the New Orleans experience, too. From open-air cafés to fine-dining restaurants, you’ll find countless interpretations of local signature dishes, such as sugar-dusted beignets, aromatic jambalaya and spiced, smoked Andouille sausage.

Home to Jazz fest, Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, a visit to New Orleans is the perfect way to finish your journey.

 Accommodation: New Orleans, Louisiana

There is so much to experience in and around ‘The Big Easy’ that we recommend spending a few extra days here.

Talk to us about post-tour options including a New Orleans GoCity Pass to enhance your experience.