Southern Sounds & Elvis

Travel from the birthplace of jazz to the home of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and the heart of country music on a journey through the sounds that helped shape America. Begin with two nights in New Orleans, where a Local Guide brings the Big Easy’s sights, music and history to life. Then visit Indianola, Mississippi, to explore the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center and learn how the Mississippi Delta gave rise to the blues.

Spend three nights in Memphis, with a visit to Graceland to tour Elvis Presley’s home and see his famous private jets. Continue to Nashville for a two-night stay and enjoy a live performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. You can also choose an optional excursion to Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded more than 200 songs, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, featuring memorabilia, instruments and exhibits celebrating country music’s greatest artists.

With guided sightseeing, visits to iconic music landmarks and time to explore at your own pace, this value-minded tour offers a memorable introduction to the American South’s rich musical heritage.

Highlights

• Discover New Orleans’ music and history on a guided introduction to the sights and sounds of the Big Easy.

• Explore the roots of the blues at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi.

• Celebrate music icons in Memphis and Nashville: tour Graceland and see Elvis Presley’s private jets, then enjoy a live performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Pricing

8 Days 

from

$3,939*

per person, twin share

Price based on 9 May 2027 departure

What's Included

Just value-packed Travel. The Essentials sorted. 

Hand- Selected Hotels: Stay at carefully selected hotels, chosen to offer the best value and comfort. 

Must see iconic sights: Our tours include guided sightseeing and scenic highlights that showcase the very best of each location. 

Seamless Transport: From private, first-class motorcoaches with Wi-Fi to iconic train rides, enjoy seamless travel with all logistics handled.

Local Experts: At the heart of our trips are knowledgeable Tour Directors & Local Guides who bring each destination to life.  

Personalisation: Enjoy built-in free time to explore the way you want or personalise your trip with a range of exciting optional excursions. 
 

Itinerary

Day 1: New Orleans

Welcome to New Orleans! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. this afternoon to answer any questions. After settling into your hotel, perhaps head out and start exploring this lively city full of character, interesting shops, delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine and music!

Day 2: New Orleans

Discover the rich history, distinctive neighborhoods, and vibrant culture of New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour. Explore the historic French Quarter, where you’ll see the iconic St. Louis Cathedral overlooking Jackson Square. Visit one of the city’s famous above-ground cemeteries to learn about New Orleans’ unique burial traditions, then enjoy a drive along elegant St. Charles Avenue, known for its grand historic homes and the city’s beloved streetcars.

The rest of the day is at leisure. Return to the French Quarter to admire its wrought-iron balconies, browse local boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops, or indulge in a local treat like a praline or beignet. This evening, join an optional jazz dinner cruise aboard a classic paddle-wheel riverboat on the Mississippi River where live New Orleans Jazz and local cuisine come together for an unforgettable evening.

Day 3: New Orleans - Indianola - Memphis

Depart New Orleans and travel north to Indianola, hometown of the legendary blues musician B.B. King. Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center to trace B.B King’s remarkable journey from a Mississippi Delta sharecropper to international music icon. Explore exhibits featuring personal artifacts, photographs, interactive displays, and a hands-on guitar studio while learning about his breakthrough performances on Beale Street and the lasting influence of his music. You’ll also discover why the Mississippi Delta is widely recognized as the birthplace of the blues and how the region shaped generations of American musicians. Continue to Memphis, where you spend the next three nights exploring one of America’s most influential music cities.

Day 4: Memphis

Discover the rich musical heritage of Memphis on a sightseeing tour led by an expert Local Guide. Hear fascinating stories about the city’s history and the musicians who helped shape blues, soul, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll. Later, you may choose to go on an optional excursion to Sun Studio, widely known at the birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll, and the legendary recording studio where Elvis Presley launched his career and where others like Johnny Cash recorded some of their earliest hits. Then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Later this evening, consider exploring iconic Beale Street where live blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, R & B, and gospel continue to fill one of America’s most celebrated music districts.

Day 5: Memphis. Excursion to Graceland

Spend the day exploring Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley. Follow a guided audio tour through the mansion to see the distinctive rooms where Elvis lived and entertained, offering a fascinating look at the life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Board his customized jet featuring a living room, private bedroom, and even gold-plated seat belts. Then visit the peaceful Meditation Garden, where Elvis and other members of the Presley family, including his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, are laid to rest.

This evening, enjoy a memorable overnight stay at The Guest House at Graceland, just steps away from Elvis Presley’s iconic estate.

Day 6: Memphis - Nashville

Travel to Nashville, known as “Music City USA” and celebrated for its legendary music venues, Southern hospitality, and rich cultural heritage. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the city featuring Centennial Park and its full-scale replica of the Parthenon along with the historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and one of country music’s most revered performance venues. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Nashville. Discover the city’s lively downtown, browse local shops, enjoy Southern cuisine, or experience the live music that fills its famous streets.

Day 7: Nashville

Enjoy a free day in Nashville with time to explore Music City your way. With so many things to see, it’s hard to choose where to begin, but there is no better place than an optional excursion to Historic RCA Studio B, where more than 35,000 songs were recorded between 1957 and 1977, including hundreds by Elvis Presley. Continue to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see rare instruments, stage costumes, historic recordings, and Elvis Presley’s famous “solid gold” Cadillac.
Tonight, take your seat at the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the world-famous country music venue that has showcased generations of performers since 1925.

Day 8: Nashville

Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore “Music City USA” further.

Terms and Conditions

Prices correct as of 07 October 2026 and subject to change without notice depending on tour availability and any applicable promotions. All pricing is in $NZD, is per person, twin share, includes applicable savings and is subject to availability. Save $500 per couple on 2027 North America tours, for new bookings made and deposited by 9 November 2026. For full terms and conditions, visit www.cosmostours.co.nz. Professional service fees may apply.