Deep South trip ideas: sounds, history, and food

We continue our series on the Southern United States, with part 2: Deep South trip ideas. (In part 1, we covered a South Carolina Lowcountry escape.) This time we focus on the music, food, and history in the Deep South across three states: Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Keep in mind that these are only suggestions and any itinerary can be modified to match your preferences. And of course, when you’re traveling with LBL Travel, you get insider access and exclusive experiences.

Deep South trip, day 1 to 3: Nashville

Nashville is the birthplace of Country Music and the capital of Tennessee. It is home to legendary country music venues including the Grand Ole Opry. Also, don’t forget to try its delicious food, such as BBQ and hot chicken.

Below are a few suggested activities in Nashville:

• Nashville Live Music Tour – Follow your songwriter guide down neon-lit streets to the best laid back bars and wild honky-tonks. Listen to music performed by fantastic bluegrass, Americana, and country-western artists.
• Private Behind-the-Scenes at tour at the Ryman Auditorium – Take a walk through musical history during a private guided tour at the iconic Ryman Auditorium.
• Private Historic Nashville City Tour – Explore the birthplace of country music’s rich cultural heritage on this customizable, private guided tour of its most iconic sites.
• Private Music Studio Experience – Take a studio tour guided by a professional record producer/songwriter and get a real insider’s look of Nashville’s music scene while singing along to cut your own track!
• VIP Tour Grand Ole Opry – Enjoy green room access and premium side stage seating on this behind-the-scenes VIP tour of Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry.
• Country Music Hall of Fame – Johnny Cash Experience – The legendary Johnny Cash is immortalized in the Country Music Hall of Fame. During this experience, you will hear stories about him and enjoy a private, live musical performance by a surviving relative.
• Nashville BBQ & Beer Tour – Taste the best pit-style BBQ in Nashville with a culinary guide. You will visit eateries that are nationally recognized as well as small off-the-beaten-path mom and pop cafes in search of the best eats in the city. Also, take a break to enjoy a craft brewery tour and sampling.

We recommend staying at either The Hermitage Hotel or Thompson Nashville. The Hermitage Hotel is very traditional and historic whereas Thompson Nashville is contemporary. For more information check out our review of both hotels to determine the best hotel for you.

Day 3 to 5: Memphis

Memphis is about a 3-hour drive from Nashville. It is famous for the strains of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Also, Memphis had a prominent roll in the American civil rights movement.

Below are a few suggested activities in Memphis:

• VIP Tour at Graceland – Experience the tastes, sights, and sounds that inspired the Elvis Presley during a VIP immersion at Graceland. Enjoy a private guided tour, lunch, and access to the entire compound.
• Memphis city Tour with Expert Guide – During a full-day tour, explore the role of Memphis in music and civil rights history as you visit some of the most iconic locations in town.
• Memphis BBQ Tasting Tour – Sample savory Memphis-style barbecue at off-the-beaten-path eateries with a local chef who will expose the best culinary fare in and around the city.

We recommend staying at The Peabody Memphis. The Peabody Memphis is ideally located in the center of downtown Memphis. Surrounded by the colorful cultural history of the city, you will find a rich tradition of hospitality and glamour beneath the hotel’s iconic neon sign.

Day 5 to 6: Mississippi Delta

Drive south as you trace a route along the famed Blues Trail through the Mississippi Delta. The statewide network of sites were vital to the lives of Blues musicians and the formation of that genre of music. Visit selected stops along the way such as the B.B .King Museum in Indianola and the “Crossroads of the Blues” in Clarksdale for self-guided touring.

Natchez is a good place to stop for the night before continuing on to New Orleans. We recommend staying at Monmouth Historic Inn. The Inn is an early 19th-century antebellum mansion set on 26 acres of manicured gardens and offers a sweeping glimpse into Southern history. It is a National Historic Landmark hotel reflecting all that is charming about the South. Expect gracious hospitality, excellent cuisine, historic tours of the house, and a lovingly restored garden.

Day 6 to 8: New Orleans

New Orleans is about a 3-hour drive from Natchez. It is known for its nightlife, vibrant live-music scene, cocktails, and delicious Creole cuisine.

Below are a few suggested activities in New Orleans:

• New Orleans City Tour – Explore the Big Easy’s rich cultural heritage on this customizable, private guided tour of its most iconic sites.
• New Orleans Live Music Nightlife Tour – Immerse yourself in true “NOLA” culture with a private, local guide to show you the hottest spots for live music!
• New Orleans Musicology Tour – Follow a music expert through various neighborhoods with strong musical ties. Enjoy an immersion in the history of jazz and brass band music, with stops into clubs and at live performances on the streets.
• NOLA Musician Meet & Greet – Meet a famous New Orleans jazz musician before a show to discuss their life in music and then stay to watch the performance from VIP seats.
• Streetcar Cocktail Crawl, dinner, Dancing & Live Music – All aboard one of New Orleans’ famous street cars, complete with a full bar. Enjoy a private sunset ride along scenic St. Charles Avenue followed by dinner, music, and dancing at one of the city’s best restaurants.
• Big Easy Cocktail Mixology Experience – Roll up your sleeves and make cocktails with a top mixologist. He will show you how to make classic New Orleans cocktails, from Hurricanes to the official Sazerac, while learning about their unique origins and ingredients.
• Exclusive Pop-Up Speakeasy Experience – In an undisclosed location, arrive for a 1920’s-themed speakeasy. You will enjoy creative cocktails and live music during this once in a lifetime experience to the best and most exclusive party in New Orleans.
• New Orleans Foodie Walking Tour – Take your taste buds on a scrumptious foodie exploration of the signature flavors that make up The Big Easy’s unique, seafood-forward cuisine on a gourmet walking tour through the heart of New Orleans.
• VIP Swamp Airboat Tour – Explore the swamplands near New Orleans by airboat on this privately guided 105-minute tour!
• VIP Tour World War II Museum – Spend a fascinating day touring the World War II museum with a history expert who will show you artifacts in the museum that are not usually made available to the public.

We recommend staying at Windsor Court Hotel. This hotel blends the best in Southern hospitality and British sensibility to create a luxurious, customized stay for you. Enviously close to the French Quarter, you experience the heart of New Orleans during a stay at this award-winning hotel.

Start planning your Deep South trip

LBL Travel crafts Deep South USA vacations to suit every interest. Contact us to start planning your own itinerary and let the good times roll in the United States.