Southern USA Tours & Trips
Ever thought about exploring Atlanta's Civil Rights history or dancing through Nashville's honky-tonks? The American South brings everything from Savannah's historic squares to Charleston's antebellum charm, Memphis' Beale Street blues to New Orleans' jazz-filled nights. Tour Graceland and taste authentic Southern cuisine. The South is calling!
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Michaela • traveled in November
Accommodation was great.The optional tours were well worth visiting. Lots of music. Loved the coach driver D-Henry, he was just great and very protective of his passengers. Guide Scott was good as well. Got a very good insight into the music scene. Learnt a lot.
Rhythms of the South (11 Days) - J
james • traveled in October
over all met my expectations would prefer tips to be included in total tour price for tour guide and bus driver
America's Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2025) - K
Kat • traveled in May
This Intrepid tour was exceptional, in terms of presenting us with a pretty full picture of life in the modern South, as well as its past history. Our only complaint was that Nashville didn't really fit. Although we enjoyed seeing it, we did not enjoy two long days driving, less time in Charleston, and practically zero time in Asheville just to get there. This tour would be so much more cohesive if it started or ended in New Orleans, which fits much better in terms of colonial history. Intrepid's commitment to sustainability and eco-responsible travel was much appreciated, as was it's sensitivity to the full history--not just the romanticized history--of the American south. Definitely would recommend this tour.
Georgia History Trail to Nashville
Table of contents
- The best Southern USA tour packages
- Travel Southern USA your way
- Best tour companies for Southern USA tours
- Popular Southern USA Cruise Ships
- Southern USA tours for every type of group
- Top Southern USA travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Southern USA
- Contact our Southern USA travel experts
- What our customers ask about Southern USA Tours & Trips
The best Southern USA tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSouthern USA travel expert at TourRadar
America's Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2025)
77 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Lots of great experiences and a few surprises. Wonderful hotels. Enjoyed Graceland and Grand Ole Opry.”
DonnaParrey, traveled in May
Rhythms and melodies flow from New Orleans' Maison Bourbon to Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Tour Mason Temple, Sun Studio, and RCA Studio B while residing at landmark hotels including The Guest House at Graceland.
Duration 8 days Destinations New Orleans, Oxford, Memphis, Nashville Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From
- NZ$5,249
Rhythms of the South (11 Days)
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was well organized. I like this particular itinerary.”
Joan, traveled in September
Rich Southern heritage flows from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry to New Orleans' French Quarter. Memphis' Civil Rights history, Natchez's antebellum mansions, and NOLA's Creole cooking paint a vivid cultural portrait.
Duration 11 days Destinations Nashville, Memphis, Natchez, New Orleans Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Costsaver From $4,795
12% Off- NZ$4,220You save $575
Tastes and Sounds of the South
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“He was attentive and knowledgable. He wrote out all key information to make the man's trip good for him.”
Tom, traveled in September
Southern charm radiates from Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame to New Orleans' French Quarter. Beale Street in Memphis, Natchez's antebellum homes, and authentic Southern cooking demonstrations with local chefs create unforgettable memories.
Duration 10 days Destinations Nashville, Memphis, Natchez, New Orleans Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From
12% Off- NZ$7,795
America's Musical Heritage
152 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour had a good pace, with time on your own built in at the right times.”
Diane, traveled in June
Musical roots run deep from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry to New Orleans' French Quarter. Memphis's Graceland, Clarksdale's Ground Zero Blues Club, and Indianola's B.B. King Museum complement luxury stays at the historic Alluvian Hotel.
Duration 10 days Destinations Nashville, Memphis, Clarksdale, Greenwood, Indianola, Natchez, Lafayette, New Orleans Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $7,309
3% Off- NZ$7,059You save $250
Duration 7 days Destinations Knoxville Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Adventures in Good Company From
3% Off- NZ$6,022
Rhythms of the Road (including Hammond)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour took us exactly where we wanted to go. It was someone else doing the organising!”
James, traveled in June
Musical traditions echo from Nashville to New Orleans, showcasing Country Music Hall of Fame, Graceland estate, and French Quarter landmarks. Premium hotels like Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown complement guided tours of historic music sites.
Duration 10 days Destinations Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis, Hammond, Lafayette, New Orleans Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Cosmos From $4,249
5% Off- NZ$4,049You save $200
Georgia History Trail to Nashville
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This is a good tour if you want to learn about different parts of southern American history. It's a good trip.”
David, traveled in September
The heart of Southern USA unfolds with stops at Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery and Charleston's historic district. Luxurious hotels provide comfort while guests savor Southern cuisine like Nashville hot chicken. The 8-day tour, costing approx. $440 per day, features expert-led Black History walks and visits to Biltmore House, America's largest mansion in Asheville.
Duration 8 days Destinations Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Asheville, Nashville Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
5% Off- NZ$6,360
The American South
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had slot of Germans onboard and got tired of having to listen to German.”
Debbie, traveled in April
Civil Rights history comes alive from Atlanta's historic sites to Charleston's colonial district. Savannah's historic squares, Montgomery's Rosa Parks Museum, and New Orleans' French Quarter tell powerful stories. Selma's Edmund Pettis Bridge stands as a testament to change.
Duration 14 days Destinations Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Montgomery, Selma, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Memphis, NashvilleSee all destinations Age Range Ages 21+ Operator Omega Tours From
5% Off- NZ$5,725
Southern Sounds & Elvis
51 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very organised, very informative.”
Susan, traveled in October
Musical roots thrive from New Orleans' French Quarter to Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Indianola's B.B. King Museum, Elvis' Graceland estate, and legendary Sun Studio in Memphis create an unforgettable soundtrack.
Duration 8 days Destinations New Orleans, Tupelo, Memphis, Nashville Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Cosmos From $3,739
5% Off- NZ$3,539You save $200
Music Cities USA Tour featuring Memphis, Nashville & The Biltmore
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was a fantastic experience with a professional and friendly guide.”
Lourdes, traveled in June
Music history resonates at Memphis' Sun Studio and Stax Museum. Nashville's country scene comes alive at the Grand Ole Opry and Johnny Cash Museum. The route continues through Smoky Mountain National Park before reaching Asheville's historic Biltmore Estate, with stays at premium hotels like the Guest House at Graceland.
Duration 8 days Destinations Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Asheville Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Tours of Distinction From
5% Off- NZ$6,029
Travel Southern USA your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Southern USA tours
Based on those reviews from our travelers, both Trafalgar and Cosmos really deliver on the essentials - they plan solid itineraries, arrange comfortable transport and staff their tours with guides who know their stuff. What stands out is how their guides go beyond just sharing facts. Austin from Trafalgar did a fantastic job looking after everyone, and made special arrangements to help a traveler who had trouble hearing and speaking. Meanwhile over at Cosmos, Kris brought such energy to her tours that she turned regular sightseeing into something special - she had this way of getting everyone excited about what they were learning. You can tell both companies train their guides well, but it's those personal touches that make the difference. The fact that our customers keep mentioning guides by name shows how much impact the right tour director can have on the whole experience. These aren't just polite mentions either - travelers specifically point out how Austin and Kris handled real situations, adapted to different needs and created the right atmosphere for their groups. That's exactly what you want in a tour guide - someone who's both capable and caring.
Popular Southern USA Cruise Ships
Southern USA tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Southern USA travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers53 tours- Couples43 tours
- Seniors (50+)36 tours
Best time to visit Southern USA
- Spring 2026
Spring tours really shine in the South's historic cities. Our most popular routes start in Atlanta and wind through Savannah's azalea-filled squares and historic cemeteries. Food tours become a highlight this time of year - you'll sample local honey, traditional pies and classic pub fare in Savannah before heading to Charleston's rich culinary scene. The weather's perfect for walking tours through Charleston's historic district and Black history sites. Some routes continue north to Asheville's arts scene and craft breweries, while others head west toward Nashville's recording studios and Memphis' musical landmarks. Our travelers consistently mention how comfortable the spring temperatures are for exploring these outdoor-heavy itineraries.
- 27 tours
- popular 32 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer brings out the South's musical energy, and our tours make the most of it. Nashville's CMA Festival draws music lovers from around the world, with our tours securing premium seating at Nissan Stadium's headline concerts. You'll get to experience fan parties, meet-and-greet events and also countless live performances across the city. The dedicated music-focused tours connect Nashville's Grand Ole Opry performances with Memphis' Graceland and Sun Studio experiences. While it gets warm, our travelers appreciate how the tours balance indoor activities like studio tours and museums with outdoor festivals and evening concerts. The hotel locations near major venues make it easy to catch both scheduled events and also impromptu performances.
- popular 16 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Fall colors add an extra dimension to Southern tours, particularly those running through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Asheville. You can explore the Biltmore Estate's expansive grounds while the leaves change and sample wines from their vineyard. Our travelers often mention how pleasant it is walking through Savannah's historic district and Bonaventure Cemetery during these cooler months. The food-focused tours really come alive in autumn, with private cooking demonstrations in New Orleans and traditional Southern meals in historic homes along the Mississippi. Whether you're exploring Charleston's historic mansions, recording a song in Nashville's Studio B or learning about Civil Rights history in Memphis, the mild weather and smaller crowds make fall an ideal time for these cultural experiences.
- popular 34 tours
- 32 tours
Contact our Southern USA travel experts
Kristina
Expert in Southern USA at TourRadar
Kristina is one of our seasoned Southern USA Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Southern USA tours answered!
- Choose from 89+ Southern USA tours
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Call us
+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Southern USA Tours & Trips
What Makes Southern USA Special for Travelers?
You'll find this incredible mix of history music and culture that you really can't get anywhere else. Walk through Civil War battlefields and beautiful antebellum mansions then hop over to Nashville or New Orleans where the music just fills the streets. The food here is something else too - from smoky barbecue to soul-warming comfort foods and spicy Cajun dishes. And that famous Southern hospitality? It's absolutely real and makes every visit feel special.
What Local Cultural Experiences Can You Join In?
If you're interested in authentic cultural experiences you've got to check out the Gullah Geechee traditions around Charleston and Savannah. These amazing artisans share their heritage through sweetgrass basket weaving and you can pick up their beautiful crafts at local markets. Over in Natchez Mississippi locals actually welcome you into their homes for real Southern meals and conversations which is pretty special - you'll find this on the 10-day Tastes and Sounds of the South tour it's a really unique way to connect with local families.
Where Can You Find Natural Beauty Away from the Cities?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just incredible with over 800 miles of hiking trails and the views will take your breath away. You can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to get there or join a guided hike like the 3-day Shining Rock Wilderness tour if you want someone who really knows the trails. Down in Louisiana the Atchafalaya Basin is this massive swamp where you can take boat tours to spot alligators and egrets - the 11-day Rhythms of the South tour includes this and it's pretty amazing.
What Are Some Hidden Gems for Getting Around?
Have you heard of the Natchez Trace Parkway? It's this beautiful 444-mile route that winds through Mississippi Alabama and Tennessee. Travelers love it because there's no commercial development and you get to discover these charming small towns along the way. It's way more relaxing than the interstate and the Tastes and Sounds of the South 10-day tour includes this drive it's really worth experiencing.
What Local Foods Should You Definitely Try?
You absolutely need to try Memphis-style barbecue ribs - they're dry-rubbed and slow-smoked till they're perfect. Rendezvous is famous for these and you can try them on the 7-day Music Cities Nashville & Memphis tour. Nashville's hot chicken is another must-try it's this incredibly spicy fried chicken that each place makes with their own special blend. And when you're in New Orleans don't miss the beignets at Café du Monde - these sugary fried pastries are just heavenly. You'll find amazing regional dishes like these all over the South each place has its own special take.