📍 United States

CHICAGO TO NEW ORLEANS: BLUES TRAIL AND MISSISSIPPI SOUL

Blues chords ringing through smoky clubs, brass bands marching beneath Spanish moss, Mississippi rolling past antebellum dreams. America's soul lives here.

≈ 18
Days
4761
Km
7
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Follow Chicago and its blues clubs, then descend toward St. Louis under the Gateway Arch. Stop at Nashville, guitars and honky-tonk, then pass through Memphis on Beale Street and by Sun Studio. End in New Orleans, where brass bands parade and night feels like a neighborhood party.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Chicago

blues birthplace deep dish lakefront skyline

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5 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Panorama of the skyline from Chicago's Riverwalk
2
Discovery of Millennium Park and 'Cloud Gate'
3
Walk on Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile)
🎯

Activities

→
Architecture cruise on the Chicago River
2
Day

Chicago

blues birthplace deep dish lakefront skyline

Chicago - Photo 1Chicago - Photo 2Chicago - Photo 3Chicago - Photo 4Chicago - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
View of the city from the Skydeck Willis Tower
2
Chicago Art Museum (Art Institute of Chicago)
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll along Lake Michigan (Grant Park / Buckingham Fountain)
3
Day

St Louis

gateway arch mississippi riverfront blues heritage

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7 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Pontiac — Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
2
Springfield — Abraham Lincoln's Tomb (Oak Ridge Cemetery)
3
Springfield — Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum (exterior / brief stop)
🎯

Activities

→
Drive along old sections of Route 66 (photo stops at stations and murals)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 480 km
Travel time: 7h
4
Day

Nashville

honky-tonk broadway grand ole opry country

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4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
St. Louis — Gateway Arch National Park (esplanade and museum)
2
St. Louis — Calvary Cemetery (funerary heritage)
🎯

Activities

→
Journey St. Louis → Nashville via Interstate I-64/I-24
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 480 km
Travel time: 4h30
5
Day

Nashville

honky-tonk broadway grand ole opry country

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4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
2
Ryman Auditorium (backstage tour)
3
Murals and street art of the 12 South neighborhood ('I Believe in Nashville')
🎯

Activities

→
Musical stroll on Broadway (observation of concert venues, without extended stops)
6
Day

Nashville

honky-tonk broadway grand ole opry country

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4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Centennial Park and Parthenon (replica)
2
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (view of downtown)
🎯

Activities

→
Evening concert at Grand Ole Opry
7
Day

Memphis

beale street graceland sun studio soul

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3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Nashville → Memphis route (I-40)
2
Beale Street (musical heritage, daytime scouting)
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset at Mississippi Riverfront park (Tom Lee Park)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 340 km
Travel time: 3h15
8
Day

Memphis

beale street graceland sun studio soul

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3 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
2
Sun Studio (guided tour)
3
National Civil Rights Museum @ Lorraine Motel
🎯

Activities

→
Walk at Mud Island River Park (view of the bridges)
9
Day

Memphis

beale street graceland sun studio soul

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3 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Graceland — Presley Museum & Mansion (complete tour)
🎯

Activities

→
Historical walk in the South Main Arts District neighborhood
→
Walk around the Mississippi State Capitol (exterior)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2600.8 km
Travel time: 10h
10
Day

Jacksonville

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3 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Journey Memphis → Jackson (I-55 South)
2
Old Capitol Museum (Jackson)
3
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
🎯

Activities

→
Natchez National Historical Park — Melrose Estate (exteriors and exhibitions)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 340 km
Travel time: 3h15
11
Day

Natchez

antebellum mansions bluff city trace end

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10 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Journey Jackson → Vicksburg (I-20 West)
2
Vicksburg National Military Park (Visitor Center + driving loops)
3
Route Vicksburg → Natchez (US-61 South)
4
Natchez Bluff Park (views of the Mississippi)
🎯

Activities

→
Route Oak Alley → New Orleans (I-10 East)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 190 km
Travel time: 2h35
12
Day

New Orleans

french quarter brass bands beignet mornings

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8 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Route Natchez → Oak Alley Plantation (via LA-10/LA-1/US-61, Mississippi riverbank)
2
Oak Alley Plantation — historical tour and slavery exhibitions
🎯

Activities

→
Mississippi River cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 330 km
Travel time: 4h45
13
Day

New Orleans

french quarter brass bands beignet mornings

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8 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
French Quarter — Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Pontalba Buildings
2
The Historic New Orleans Collection (heritage & archives exhibitions)
🎯

Activities

→
Live musical experience (jazz concert, historic venue)
14
Day

New Orleans

french quarter brass bands beignet mornings

New Orleans - Photo 1New Orleans - Photo 2New Orleans - Photo 3New Orleans - Photo 4New Orleans - Photo 5New Orleans - Photo 6New Orleans - Photo 7New Orleans - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Garden District — walk among historic houses and Lafayette Cemetery (exterior view)
2
City Park — Sculpture Garden & shaded areas
🎯

Activities

→
Basketball game at Smoothie King Center (subject to schedule)
15
Day

New Orleans

french quarter brass bands beignet mornings

New Orleans - Photo 1New Orleans - Photo 2New Orleans - Photo 3New Orleans - Photo 4New Orleans - Photo 5New Orleans - Photo 6New Orleans - Photo 7New Orleans - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Arts Quarter/Warehouse District — urban walk and museums of choice
2
Jackson Square and Mississippi riverfront — final views
🎯

Activities

→
Basketball game at Smoothie King Center (subject to schedule)

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🛡️ Travel advice - United States

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 22 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.