A Musical Rail Journey | Travel Down the Mississippi

Days 1-3

Chicago

Take a direct flight to Chicago. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel of your choice. Enjoy three nights in the Windy City. Why is it called Windy City? Opinions differ from breezes that come off Lake Michigan to an ancient claim that Chicagoans were braggarts! As a matter of fact, Chicago is not the windiest large city in the US: that honour belongs to Boston. Chicago is the birthplace of house and gospel music, urban blues and modern jazz – thanks to the Great Migration when African Americans flocked to Chicago from the South. With over 30 incredible venues, ranging from intimate neighbourhood clubs to historic music including spots like Benny’s Chop House, Andy’s Jazz Club and the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. Check out the City Winery to see what is on: they host not only wine making classes, dinners and tastings, but intimate music concerts. Another place to keep an eye on is the Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Centre and for classical music lovers, the Symphony Centre.

Aside from the music scene, there is a lot to do and see in Chicago. You might like to start your day with a visit to Millennium Park, home to Anish Kapoor sculpture, Cloud Gate. From there, head to the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. Then hop over to the Chicago Cultural Centre, crowned by the largest Tiffany stained-glass dome in the world.

Take a stroll along the Magnificent Mile, a famous shopping district with over 400 stores and restaurants. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a ride on the Skydeck Chicago, an observation deck located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. Depending on the season you could spend your afternoon at the Navy Pier, ride the Centennial Wheel or take a boat ride on the lake. Alternatively, visit the Museum Campus before your evening entertainment.

4 nights Chicago

Day 4

Chicago to Amtrak Superliner Train

You have all day today as your train does not leave until 8pm. In Chicago, surely, you have to try a Chicago-style deep dish stuffed pizza? So perhaps lunch at Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s. If you are a baseball fan, you can take a tour of the Chicago Cubs stadium at Wrigley Field. If not, you could take a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk, a scenic path that winds its way through the city. The train departs at 20:05 and arrives in Memphis the following morning at 06:27. You have a choice of accommodation on the train ranging from a regular seat to a Superliner Bedroom which has a large sofa with comfortable bunk beds converted from the sofa / arm chair and private shower and lavatory. The bedrooms are on the upper level of the double decker trains. Less expensive are the Superliner roomettes which have two seats which convert into bunk beds at night. They are on both the upper and lower levels of the train. Finally, there are family bedrooms with two adult and two child berths.

1 night Amtrak

Days 5-7

Amtrak Superliner Train to Memphis

Arrival in Memphis is at 06:27. Make your own way to the hotel of your choice which could be the famous Peabody Hotel downtown or perhaps you would like to stay at the
Graceland Guest house inspired by the warm hospitality that Elvis showed his guests. You will spend three nights in Memphis which will give you enough time to explore the main attractions. If you wish, you could extend the holiday and rent a car (or take the Greyhound) to drive to Nashville which sadly is not connected by rail.

Spend the next day exploring Beale Street and visiting the Stax Museum of American Soul Music where the tracks of soul music were laid down by the greats who took the funk out of Memphis and carried it all over the world: Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T & the MGs and Isaac Hayes. First opened in a church from where the inspiration for soul music came, you can see the labels, dance to the music and see the original recording equipment. Spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere in one of the many bars and restaurants with live music.

You should visit The Memphis Music Hall of Fame: it is the only Memphis museum to focus specifically on the heroes of Memphis music – rock, soul, jazz, blues, R&B and more, while the Blues Hall of Fame in downtown Memphis pays tribute to the great blues men and women including B.B. King, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. You can also take a guided tour of the most famous recording studio in the world, ‘The Legendary’ Sun Studio ‘Birthplace of Rock & Roll’, where you can literally stand on the mark made by giants: Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.

Spend the day on a tour to Graceland: you can choose between the Elvis Experience Tour which gives you the audio guided tour, as well as the car museum, the Entertainer Career Showcase Museum or the VIP tour which includes all the above plus an exclusive VIP Exhibit, front of the queue (which can be long) access to the mansion and the Elvis Discovery Exhibits.

3 nights Memphis

Days 8-10

Memphis to New Orleans

Your train leaves Memphis at 06:40 getting into New Orleans at 15:47 on which you will have a reserved seat. As you arrive fairly late in the day, you will probably just want to get to your hotel before wandering out to explore Bourbon or Frenchman Street to get your first taste of the Big Easy.

Today we suggest a guided walking tour through the French Quarter, followed by lunch at one of the enticing restaurants. You have to try the Creole and Cajun cooking so much part of the Southern lifestyle. You might try the Boulevard American Bistro or Broussard’s amongst the many others. If you wish, we can organise a Creole Cooking Class. In the evening, we suggest a sternwheeler cruise on the Mississippi River.

We suggest an airboat tour through the Bayou combined with a visit to the Laura Plantation followed by an evening of music in the French Quarter.

3 nights New Orleans

Day 11

New Orleans

Your last day, and we think a fitting finish would be a Live Jazz Brunch Buffet at the Court of Two Sisters which we can book for you, before transferring you to the airport for your onward or homeward flight.