American Music & Movie Trails Self Drive Tour
Chicago, IL
A tour of American music history would be incomplete without a stopover in Memphis where not only the blues were born but rock ‘n roll too thanks to its well-known former residents like Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, and of course, Elvis! Save room, more musical and cinematic excitement await in New Orleans. The Big Easy happens to be a favourite shooting spot (too many credits to list) for Hollywood thanks to its distinctive architecture and charming, eclectic. Music lovers can also enjoy the area’s distinctive brand of jazz known the world over. This jam-packed journey includes stops in beautiful Birmingham, charming Chattanooga, and wraps up in country music’s home, Nashville, with its historic Grand Ole Opry where many of country’s stars got their start. You’ll return to Chicago, having visited 7 states integral to America’s movie-making and musical history.
Highlights
- Call the Windy City your home away from home with arrival/departure from Chicago with a full day devoted to its many moves and music hotspots.
- Indulge in film-inspired cuisine like “Blues Brothers” Soul Food in Chicago to “Fried Green Tomatoes” at the Whistle Stop Café in Birmingham.
- Get the full scoop of America’s influence in popular music genres from blues to country to jazz with stopovers in their birthplaces, including Memphis, Nashville, and more.
- It’s edge-of-your-seat excitement with front row seats at important locations in the most popular American movies from “Meet Me in St. Louis” to “Sweet Home Alabama.”
- Don’t forget the gastronomic gems you’ll sample on your voyages such as Memphis world-famous BBQ from music legend B.B. King’s own restaurant and Creole specialities sure to spice up your trip.
- You certainly won’t take it easy in the Big Easy with 2 non-stop days exploring this unique city’s one-of-a-kind jazz music and various familiar movie hotspots.
- Take an optional though highly recommended romantic Mississippi River dinner cruise aboard an authentic, tradition paddle steamer.
- Don’t miss an up close and personal look at Kentucky’s exhilarating Kentucky Derby in Louisville where fan favourite flicks about horse racing like Sea Biscuit were shot.
- Day 1 - Chicago Arrival
- Day 2 - Chicago
- Day 3 - Chicago - St. Louis
- Day 4 - St. Louis - Memphis
- Day 5 - Memphis
- Day 6 - Memphis - Vicksburg
- Day 7 - Vicksburg - New Orleans
- Day 8 - New Orleans
- Day 9 - New Orleans - Birmingham
- Day 10 - Birmingham - Chattanooga
- Day 11 - Chattanooga - Nashville
- Day 12 - NASHVILLE - LOUISVILLE
- Day 13 - Louisville - Chicago
- Day 14 - Chicago Departure
Arrive in Chicago. Pick up your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel. Enjoy your evening at leisure.
Meals Included: RoChicago South Loop Hotel
Property Location With a stay at Chicago South Loop Hotel in Chicago (Bronzeville), you'll be close to McCormick Place and University of Illinois Chicago. This hotel is close to Willis Tower and Skydeck Ledge.
While exploring this vibrant city located on the shores of Lake Michigan, you will notice many famous landmarks and buildings from films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, While You Were Sleeping, and The Road to Perdition, not to mention The Blues Brothers. Try and locate the Blues Brothers Soul Food restaurant on Maxwell Street, and don’t forget to pay a visit to the original House of Blues jazz club.
Meals Included: RoChicago South Loop Hotel
Property Location With a stay at Chicago South Loop Hotel in Chicago (Bronzeville), you'll be close to McCormick Place and University of Illinois Chicago. This hotel is close to Willis Tower and Skydeck Ledge.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” is a summary of today’s journey. Upon arrival, take a tram ride (optional) to the top of the famous St. Louis Arch and get a city view from 630 feet. Then take time to view Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West, a movie produced by the National Geographic Society and viewed on a giant four-story screen at the Gateway Arch.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 290 MI / 460 KM
Meals Included: RoRed Roof Plus St Louis Forest Park/Hampton Ave
Property Location With a stay at Red Roof Plus St. Louis - Forest Park / Hampton Ave. in St. Louis, you'll be convenient to St. Louis Science Center and St. Louis Zoo. This motel is within close proximity of Missouri Botanical Gardens and Arboretum and Tower Grove Park.
Memphis offers a multitude of musical and movie moments, and there are two nights to explore your favorites. Start with a visit to Graceland, home of the late Elvis Presley, then choose between the Rock & Soul Museum, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Gibson Guitar Factory, or Sun Studio where musicians such as B. B. King, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded rock’n’roll hits.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 280 MI / 451 KM
Meals Included: RoComfort Inn Downtown Memphis
The Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis is located in the heart of Downtown Memphis in an extremely characteristic and lively area within short walk distance to all sites such as Mud Island, The Cotton Museum, The FedEx Forum and our famous Beale Street just to mention a few.
During your stay, check for any outdoor concerts at the Mud Island outdoor amphitheater. Located right on the Mississippi River, Mud Island River Park is a historic and scenic outdoor area. Or, dine in B. B. King’s restaurant on famous Beale Street.
Meals Included: RoComfort Inn Downtown Memphis
The Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis is located in the heart of Downtown Memphis in an extremely characteristic and lively area within short walk distance to all sites such as Mud Island, The Cotton Museum, The FedEx Forum and our famous Beale Street just to mention a few.
Travel from Memphis to Clarksdale, heart of the Delta Blues. Stop to tour the Delta Blues Museum filled with memorabilia from B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Follow the banks of the Mississippi River along Hwy 1, and take the opportunity to roll the dice in one of the many Mississippi casinos; they never close! DRIVING DISTANCE: 146 MI / 234 KM
Meals Included: RoQuality Inn Vicksburg
The Quality Inn hotel in Vicksburg, MS near the Outlets of Vicksburg gives you more value for your hard-earned money.Our convenient location off Interstate 20, puts our pet-friendly Vicksburg hotel near a variety of attractions.
On to the Big Easy! New Orleans is a jazz lover’s paradise, and the familiar backdrop in a string of successful movies. The jazz & blues clubs are too numerous to mention, but there are two days in New Orleans to check them out!
DRIVING DISTANCE: 294 MI / 470 KM
Meals Included: RoHoliday Inn New Orleans Downtown Superdome
Smiling faces exuding warm southern hospitality eagerly await your arrival. For the experience of a lifetime, look no further than the Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome. Appreciate the original Andy Warhol titled “Mick Jagger” showcased in the fabulously updated lobby, indulge in their beautifully renovated restaurant and lounge featuring new menus and modern comforts, and let the view from your contemporary room with private balcony take your breath away. Their very knowledgeable staff can assist in making the most of your New Orleans trip, whether you’re visiting for business or leisure. Your journey starts here.
Continue to explore this city of riverboats, jazz, and Creole cuisine. Take time to visit the beautiful botanical garden or journey out to the levees to see how they protect the city from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This evening why not board a paddle steamer for a dinner cruise on the mighty Mississippi River (optional).
Meals Included: RoHoliday Inn New Orleans Downtown Superdome
Smiling faces exuding warm southern hospitality eagerly await your arrival. For the experience of a lifetime, look no further than the Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome. Appreciate the original Andy Warhol titled “Mick Jagger” showcased in the fabulously updated lobby, indulge in their beautifully renovated restaurant and lounge featuring new menus and modern comforts, and let the view from your contemporary room with private balcony take your breath away. Their very knowledgeable staff can assist in making the most of your New Orleans trip, whether you’re visiting for business or leisure. Your journey starts here.
Sweet Home Alabama! Today, we head to Birmingham, Alabama. For music fans, the highlight would be a visit to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Entrance to this exhibition is free and inside you’ll find a wonderful tribute to jazz greats with ties to Alabama. For movie lovers, try and locate the original Whistle Stop Café, the setting for the novel, and later film, Fried Green Tomatoes. Although scenes in the movie were actually filmed in Atlanta, the original café is located in North Irondale, just outside of Birmingham.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 340 MI / 544 KM
Meals Included: RoComfort Inn Birmingham, AL
Property Location With a stay at Comfort Inn Birmingham, you'll be centrally located in Birmingham, convenient to Samford University and Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens. This hotel is within close proximity of Red Mountain Park and Alabama Men's Hall of Fame.
Returning to Tennessee today, set forth to Chattanooga. Summer travelers should check the dates of the annual Chattanooga Riverbend Festival. While in Tennessee, don’t miss the opportunity to try a “moon pie”, a favorite Southern snack since the early 1900s.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 148 MI / 238 KM
Meals Included: RoChattanooga Choo Choo
Property Location With a stay at Chattanooga Choo Choo, you'll be centrally located in Chattanooga, steps from Songbirds Guitar Museum and minutes from Hart Gallery. This boutique hotel is within close proximity of Coker Tire Museum and Chattanooga Convention Center.
Nashville, “Music City USA”, is the destination today. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, a multimedia music shrine including movie theatres, costumes, instruments and other artifacts detailing country music’s colorful history. Don’t miss a visit to the Ryman Auditorium and a night at the Grand Ole Opry.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 133 MI / 213 KM
Meals Included: RoRamada by Wyndham Nashville/Music Valley
Property Location With a stay at GuestHouse Inn & Suites Nashville / Music Valley in Nashville (Donelson), you'll be minutes from Texas Troubadour Theatre and Cooter's Place. This hotel is within close proximity of Nashville Toy Museum and Grand Ole Opry Museum.
From Blue Grass to Brass Bands, Kentucky has popular music for every listener. Today’s destination is Louisville, Kentucky, home of the famous Kentucky Derby which takes place at Churchill Downs the first Saturday each May. Recently featured in the movie Sea Biscuit, Churchill Downs is the mecca of American horse racing and home of the Kentucky Derby Museum. Take a short side trip to Bards town and visit My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the inspiration for Stephen Foster’s anthem of the same name which is sung by the crowds every year at the Kentucky Derby. No visit to Kentucky would be complete without a visit to a bourbon distillery, but remember that many Kentucky counties are “dry,” so often there are no tastings. Baseball fans should ensure they fit in a visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum, an interactive museum honoring many of baseball’s greats.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 175 MI /280 KM
Meals Included: RoRed Roof Inn Louisville Fair and Expo
Property Location With a stay at Red Roof Inn Louisville Fair and Expo in Louisville, you'll be close to Louisville Mega Cavern and Kentucky Exposition Center. This hotel is within close proximity of Louisville Zoo and Farmington Historic Home.
Today, your tour returns you to the Windy City, Chicago, having visited seven different states, experienced many popular movie set locations, and heard music ranging from blues to jazz to soul to gospel to country to bluegrass and rock’n’roll.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 300 MI /480 KM
Meals Included: RoHoliday Inn & Suites Chicago - Downtown
Property Location A stay at Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago - Downtown places you in the heart of Chicago, minutes from Willis Tower and Skydeck Ledge. This hotel is close to University of Illinois Chicago and Art Institute of Chicago.
A final day in Chicago before you return your car at the airport before your departure flight.
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