Southern Sounds & Elvis (8730)

8 days from New Orleans to Nashville

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From the birthplace of jazz to the home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll and the heart of country music, this journey celebrates the sounds that shaped America. Spend two nights in New Orleans, where a Local Guide introduces you to the sights, music, and history of the Big Easy. Continue to Indianola, Mississippi, to visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center and discover how the Mississippi Delta became the birthplace of the blues.

Enjoy a three-night stay in Memphis, including a visit to Graceland, where you'll tour Elvis Presley's home and see his famous private jets. Then head to Nashville for two nights and experience a live performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. You can also choose an optional excursion to Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded more than 200 songs, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, home to memorabilia, instruments, and exhibits celebrating country music's greatest artists.

With guided sightseeing, visits to iconic music landmarks, and free time to explore on your own, this value-minded tour is the perfect way to experience the rich musical heritage of the American South.

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available).

Your Tour Includes:
• Guided city sightseeing in New Orleans and Memphis where you’ll learn how each city contributed to American music
• Admission to the B.B King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center which celebrates the life and legacy of the “King of the Blues”
• Admission to Graceland, including an audio tour of Elvis Presley’s mansion and access to his private jets
• Overnight at The Guest House at Graceland, just steps from Elvis Presley’s iconic estate
• Orientation tour of Nashville, where you’ll learn about the heart of country music
• Ticket to a live performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
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Southern Sounds & Elvis map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

4 Breakfasts

 Itinerary

Day 1 NEW ORLEANS

Welcome to New Orleans! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. this afternoon to answer any questions.

After settling into your hotel, perhaps head out and start exploring this lively city full of character, interesting shops, delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, and music!

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Day 2 NEW ORLEANS

Discover the rich history, distinctive neighborhoods, and vibrant culture of New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour. Explore the historic French Quarter, where you’ll see the iconic St. Louis Cathedral overlooking Jackson Square. Visit one of the city’s famous above-ground cemeteries to learn about New Orleans’ unique burial traditions, then enjoy a drive along elegant St. Charles Avenue, known for its grand historic homes and the city’s beloved streetcars.

The rest of the day is at leisure. Return to the French Quarter to admire its wrought-iron balconies, browse local boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops, or indulge in a local treat like a praline or beignet. This evening, join an optional jazz dinner cruise aboard a classic paddle-wheel riverboat on the Mississippi River where live New Orleans Jazz and local cuisine come together for an unforgettable evening.

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Day 3 NEW ORLEANS–INDIANOLA–MEMPHIS

Depart New Orleans and travel north to Indianola, hometown of the legendary blues musician B.B. King. Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center to trace B.B King’s remarkable journey from a Mississippi Delta sharecropper to international music icon. Explore exhibits featuring personal artifacts, photographs, interactive displays, and a hands-on guitar studio while learning about his breakthrough performances on Beale Street and the lasting influence of his music. You’ll also discover why the Mississippi Delta is widely recognized as the birthplace of the blues and how the region shaped generations of American musicians. Continue to Memphis, where you spend the next three nights exploring one of America’s most influential music cities.

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Day 4 MEMPHIS

Discover the rich musical heritage of Memphis on a sightseeing tour led by an expert Local Guide. Hear fascinating stories about the city’s history and the musicians who helped shape blues, soul, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll. Later, you may choose to go on an optional excursion to Sun Studio, widely known at the birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll, and the legendary recording studio where Elvis Presley launched his career and where others like Johnny Cash recorded some of their earliest hits. Then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Later this evening, consider exploring iconic Beale Street where live blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, R & B, and gospel continue to fill one of America’s most celebrated music districts.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 MEMPHIS. EXCURSION TO GRACELAND

Spend the day exploring Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley. Follow a guided audio tour through the mansion to see the distinctive rooms where Elvis lived and entertained, offering a fascinating look at the life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Board his customized jet featuring a living room, private bedroom, and even gold-plated seat belts. Then visit the peaceful Meditation Garden, where Elvis and other members of the Presley family, including his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, are laid to rest.

This evening, enjoy a memorable overnight stay at The Guest House at Graceland, just steps away from Elvis Presley’s iconic estate.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 MEMPHIS–NASHVILLE

Travel to Nashville, known as “Music City USA” and celebrated for its legendary music venues, Southern hospitality, and rich cultural heritage. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the city featuring Centennial Park and its full-scale replica of the Parthenon along with the historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and one of country music’s most revered performance venues. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Nashville. Discover the city’s lively downtown, browse local shops, enjoy Southern cuisine, or experience the live music that fills its famous streets.

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Day 7 NASHVILLE

Enjoy a free day in Nashville with time to explore Music City your way. With so many things to see, it’s hard to choose where to begin, but there is no better place than an optional excursion to Historic RCA Studio B, where more than 35,000 songs were recorded between 1957 and 1977, including hundreds by Elvis Presley. Continue to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see rare instruments, stage costumes, historic recordings, and Elvis Presley’s famous “solid gold” Cadillac.
Tonight, take your seat at the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the world-famous country music venue that has showcased generations of performers since 1925.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 NASHVILLE

Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore “Music City USA” further.

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

BRENDA BROOKS

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I have been conducting tours for many years. I love sharing my part of the world with travelers and watching them have fun, knowing that I play a part in their enjoyment. I am from the Deep South, so I feel that I have much to share in that area. I also conduct tours in the Midwest, the East, Southeast, Northeast, and Eastern Canada. Some of my favorite hobbies are cooking, entertaining, playing the piano, daily walks, reading, and travel!”

Tour Director - BRENDA BROOKS

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Memphis
Nashville

Memphis

Sun Studio & Dinner at a local restaurant

Sun Studio & Dinner at a local restaurant

Step back to the early years of rock `n roll on this tour of Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and other future stars got their start, then enjoy a fantastic dinner.

Price Range: $$

Step Back in Time: Breakfast at Memphis' Oldest Cafe

Step Back in Time: Breakfast at Memphis' Oldest Cafe

Step back in time for a classic Southern meal at the Arcade Restaurant. Join your group for a delightful dining experience at Memphis' oldest café - the iconic Arcade Restaurant. Established in 1919 and steeped in history, this nostalgic gem offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly complements its delicious southern style comfort food. Nestled in the heart of the historic south main arts district, the Arcade's retro 1950's décor, original neon sign and vintage booths have made it a beloved local landmark And for Elvis fans, this stop is a must. The Arcade was one of Elvis Presley's favorite hangouts, and you can even see his favorite booth, marked with a plaque and filled with Presley lore. It's a true treat for anyone who wants to walk in the footsteps of the King.

Price Range: $

Nashville

Step into the heart of Country Music: Tour Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame®

Step into the heart of Country Music: Tour Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame®

No trip to Nashville would be complete without a tour of the Historic RCA Studio B and The Country Music Hall of Fame.

Price Range: $$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).

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