2-Week Southern USA Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Southern USA tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSouthern USA travel expert at TourRadar

• 11 Days in Deep South USA, incl. Nashville and New Orleans

  

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  • Days 1-2

    North Carolina

    Begin in Charlotte and drive 2 hours to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit Chimney Rock State Park for a 6-mile hike that takes 2-3 hours. You'll need good hiking shoes since trails can get slippery. The best views of the 535-million-year-old monolith are in early morning before the heat and haze build up.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Asheville & Nashville

    Visit Asheville's River Arts District between 10am-2pm when studios are most active. Take the brewery tour in the afternoon but pace yourself with the stronger-than-usual craft beers. Next day, drive 4.5 hours to Nashville through mountain scenery. Get to Broadway's honky-tonks at 5pm when they open to secure a good spot for the evening.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Nashville & Memphis

    Start at the Country Music Hall of Fame before the mid-morning crowds arrive. Drive 3.5 hours to Memphis, arriving between 2-4pm to skip rush hour traffic. Beale Street is best after dark, with blues performances starting around 9pm. "B.B. King's Blues Club was packed by 8pm—get there early and try the ribs while waiting for the band."

    
  • Day 8

    Mississippi Delta

    Take Highway 61 south to Clarksdale. Visit the Delta Blues Museum when it opens at 10am. Red's Lounge, an authentic juke joint, opens after 9pm and only takes cash.

    
  • Days 9-11

    New Orleans

    The drive from Clarksdale to New Orleans takes 5 hours through bayou country. Arrive after 2pm for hotel check-in. On your final day, start with beignets at Cafe du Monde before 8am to avoid long lines. Then explore the Garden District on the St. Charles streetcar. "The streetcar was just $1.25 each way, but bring exact change and hold on tight—those wooden seats slide around corners!"

    

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• 11 Day Southern USA Music Trail Itinerary, incl. Nashville and New Orleans

  A vibrant 11-day music tour winds through 7 Southern cities, showcasing Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame, Memphis's Graceland mansion, and New Orleans' jazz scene. Features 10 guided experiences and premium hotel stays for approx. $530 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Atlanta to Nashville

    Begin your music journey in Atlanta before driving north to Nashville (4 hours). Wait until after 10 AM to leave Atlanta to skip the morning traffic rush. You'll travel through beautiful Appalachian foothills into Tennessee's capital. Book your stay in Midtown near Music Row to be close to the main attractions.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Nashville Highlights

    Start at RCA Studio B in the early morning to avoid tour groups. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame after 2 PM when crowds thin out. Book Grand Ole Opry tickets at least 2 weeks ahead since evening shows often fill up. On Day 4 drive to Muscle Shoals, Alabama (3.5 hours southeast) to visit FAME Studios. Bring a light jacket since studios keep temperatures low to protect their equipment.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Memphis Music Legacy

    Take a 2-hour drive to Tupelo to visit Elvis's birthplace before continuing to Memphis (2.5 hours). Stay near Beale Street which gets lively after 8 PM. You'll want to be within walking distance to avoid parking problems. Visit Graceland right when it opens at 9 AM to get ahead of the crowds. Sun Studio runs tours every hour but space is limited. The 11 AM tour offers great photo opportunities with smaller groups.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Natchez to New Orleans

    Drive south through Mississippi to Natchez (5 hours) and take the Stanton Hall mansion tour to learn about Civil War history. The next day continue to New Orleans (3 hours). Summer visitors should plan indoor backup activities since afternoon storms are common. If you're staying in the French Quarter pick a room away from Bourbon Street for quieter nights.

    
  • Days 9-11

    New Orleans Immersion

    Start your French Quarter exploration early before crowds and heat build up. Take the walking tour first thing when the cobblestones are dry. Book morning swamp tours to see more wildlife. If you're taking the Mississippi River dinner cruise request a window table when you book.

    

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• 14 Day Southern USA Itinerary, incl. Charleston and New Orleans

  Historic sites anchor this 14-day Southern tour visiting MLK's Atlanta home, Charleston's colonial district, and New Orleans' French Quarter. Offers 2-night stays in Savannah, New Orleans, and Nashville, with premium accommodations at Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Atlanta

    Begin your Southern journey in Georgia's capital. Get to the Martin Luther King Jr. boyhood home early to beat the crowds. A recent visitor shared: "The route was informative and not too rushed - perfect for really absorbing Atlanta's civil rights history." Set aside 2-3 hours for the Road to Tara Museum to see authentic Gone with the Wind memorabilia.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Charleston

    The 5-hour drive from Atlanta through Augusta brings you to Charleston. Start with a morning walking tour of the historic district before the humidity rises. Book your Boone Hall Plantation tour ahead since spots fill quickly. Visit the Avenue of Oaks in late afternoon for the best photos.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Savannah to Montgomery

    Spend 2 hours exploring Savannah's squares. While the trolley tour offers a good overview, walking lets you really see the historic architecture up close. On the 6-hour drive to Montgomery, stop for lunch in Macon. Plan to reach the Rosa Parks Museum before its 5 PM closing time.

    
  • Days 7-8

    New Orleans

    Drive about 5 hours from Montgomery through Selma. Get to the French Quarter early before crowds fill the streets. Skip the tourist-heavy Bourbon Street and check out Frenchmen Street for real jazz. Book your dinner spots several days ahead, especially on weekends.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Natchez to Memphis

    Take the scenic 5-6 hour drive on Natchez Trace Parkway to Memphis. Start at Graceland early to avoid long lines. Head to Beale Street in early evening when the music starts but before the big crowds arrive. Pack light since many old hotels have limited elevator access.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Nashville

    Drive 3.5 hours to Nashville, the heart of country music. Book Grand Ole Opry tickets well before your trip. Get morning spots for studio tours since they fill up fast. A recent visitor noted: "The Country Music Hall of Fame was fantastic but avoid the crowds by going right when it opens."

    
  • Days 13-14

    Chattanooga to Atlanta

    End your trip with a stop in Chattanooga. Spend 1-2 hours at the Choo Choo complex before heading back to Atlanta. If flying out, add extra time for Atlanta morning traffic.

    

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