Rock N Roll, Rockets and Elvis
- Birmingham + 5 more
- Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, Memphis, Nashville, Road Trips, Tupelo,
- 13
Introduction
Explore the abundant history of American music as you drive through the heart and soul of Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Visiting iconic sites that protect the rich ongoing legacy of Country, Blues and Rock’n Roll. During this road trip, you can trace the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. at key historical sites in the Civil Rights movement, recently nominated for World Heritage status.
Please note: – This is a suggested itinerary only and is intended to give an overview of what is possible. All of our holiday itineraries are fully customisable and can be tailor-made to suit your own individual requirements. If you would like to start in a different destination, use specific hotel accommodation, include an extra night here, a side-trip there and/or include tickets to an event please let your Discover North America travel specialist know. They’ll also book you the best value flights to ensure a seamless holiday experience.
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Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Atlanta, GA - Birmingham, AL
Arrive in Atlanta and travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to see the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, home to the largest collection of vintage motorcycles and Lotus Elise Cars. The museum has over 1,200 vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars. Spend time in the entertainment districts in downtown Birmingham. Overnight in Birmingham.
Day 2 Birmingham, AL
Sunday morning, hear a spirit-filled Gospel Choir at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, nominated
as a World Heritage Site. The church is located in the Civil Rights District of Birmingham, adjacent to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and a must see for those that want to learn more about Southern history and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Overnight in Birmingham.
Day 3 Birmingham, AL - Memphis, TN
Enjoy the musical city of Memphis and explore the birthplace of the blues. 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 their rock’n’roll hits. Overnight in Memphis.
Day 4 Memphis, TN
Dive deeper in the birthplace of the blues by taking in a performance in one of the entertaining Beale Street Blues bars. Overnight in Memphis.
Day 5 Memphis, TN - Tupelo, MS
Travel to Tupelo, Mississippi for a day trip to see the birthplace of Elvis Presley. The most significant landmark of Tupelo’s modern history is a modest, two-room house where the King of Rock & Roll was born. From his humble beginnings Elvis Presley began his swift rise to become the world’s most popular entertainer. The home is a Mississippi landmark and the centrepiece of the park which also includes,
many other exhibits, is the popular photo-op “Elvis at 13” statue and Elvis’ childhood church. Overnight in Tupelo.
Day 6 Tupelo, MS - Muscle Shoals, AL
Travel to the “Hit Recording Capital of the World”, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Rolling Stone’s guitarist Keith Richards called Muscle Shoals Sound Studio “Rock-n-Roll Heaven.” Visit FAME Recording Studio, Rattlesnake Saloon and see “The Father of the Blues,” W.C. Handy’s birthplace and museum. Overnight in Muscle Shoals.
Day 7 Muscle Shoals, AL - Nashville, TN
Travel to Nashville, often called Music City USA where you can tour Music Row and visit historic RCA Studio B and Country Music Hall of Fame. In the evening visit some of the intimate clubs in town, including The Listening Room Café and the famous Bluebird Café. Overnight in Nashville.
Day 8 Nashville, TN
Soak up the sounds in the country music capital by visiting the Grand Ole Opry. Experience the South’s tumultuous history at the Tennessee State Museum. Take a full day to discover the variety of attractions
Nashville has to offer, such as Opry-land USA and world-famous Printer’s Alley. Overnight in Nashville.
Day 9 Nashville, TN - Lynchburg, TN - Huntsville, AL
Travel to Lynchburg, Tennessee where small town values and perfect Americana living are alive and well, it might be small, but it’s home to one LARGE industry - the Jack Daniels Distillery - listed as the oldest registered distillery in the United States and averages over 250,000 visitors every year. Every ounce of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey is produced here, fed by the pure, iron-free cave water springs nearby. Travel to Huntsville. Overnight in Huntsville.
Day 10 Huntsville, AL
In Huntsville see the largest space museum in the world, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The museum has one of the most extensive collections of space artifacts and displays more than 1,500 rockets, engines, spacecraft, simulators, and hands- on exhibits. It is also home to Space Camp. Overnight in Huntsville.
Day 11 Huntsville, AL - Atlanta, GA
Travel to Atlanta for your trip out. Arrive in Atlanta and overnight. While in the South’s gateway city, visit the home of the world’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. Overnight in Atlanta.
Day 12 Atlanta, GA
Enjoy a day in Atlanta, which started as railroad junction in the 1830s and quickly became the transport hub of the South. Its strategic importance was a large part of the reason it made such an inviting target for General Sherman’ Union Army, which razed it during the Civil War. Visit Fairlie-Poplar, the African American Panoramic Experience, Grant Park or the Atlanta History Center. Overnight in Atlanta.
Day 13 Atlanta, GA
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.