Rhythms of the River: Minneapolis to New Orleans

Detail-Image
Detail-Image3281
Detail-Image3282
Detail-Image3283
Detail-Image3284
Detail-Image3285
  • days
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Seconds

Departure Date

September 27, 2025

Overview

Trip Overview

A trip along a fascinating route down south to New Orleans, full of fabulous landscapes, wonderful local culinary experiences, and plenty of history. But it's the final layer that makes this trip very special: music. Prince and Elvis figure in Minneapolis and Memphis, respectively, while Nashville and New Orleans are, naturally, prominently featured. But it's places like Clarksdale, Cleveland, and Natchez along the Mississippi Blues Trail, that will strike a special chord.

Highlights

Departures

Departs daily from Minneapolis

 

Trip Includes

  • 10 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Mazda 3 or similar)
  • Detailed day by day itinerary
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Bloomington
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Dubuque
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Hannibal
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in St. Louis
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Nashville
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Memphis
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Indianola
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in Natchez
  • 1 night moderate accommodations in New Orleans

 

Trip Excludes

  • Car Rental Insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned
  • Road tolls
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees if applicable

Arrive at Minneapolis International Airport and pick up your car rental. Depending on your time of arrival you might have time to explore a little bit of the city. If you like the music of Prince, check out First Avenue, a former Greyhound Bus depot, and now the hub of the city's live music scene (Prince performed here on a regularly basis) while Paisley Park, his main recording studio and residence, offers daily tours. Overnight Bloomington.

 

Holiday Inn Blmgtn Arpt South- Mall Area

Our Bloomington, MN hotel's property is conveniently located within 5 miles to the Mall of America, 6 miles from the MSP Intl Airport and 11 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul. We welcome travelers of all types, whether you're in Bloomington, MN to shop, traveling for work, in town to see a professional sports game Target Field , US Bank Stadium or a great outdoor concert at TCF Stadium, our Holiday Inn Bloomington Airport South (Mall Area) hotel offers you the ideal location. We proudly offer upgraded complimentary WIFI, use of our 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool/jacuzzi and parking. Flexible event and meeting space offer an ideal fit for your corporate or social needs. No matter what brings you to our Holiday Inn Bloomington Airport South, hotel, you'll love our amenities. Our Green Mill Restaurant & Lounge located off our main lobby offers our guests a variety of menu options and nightly specials. Discover why we're the best Bloomington, MN hotel when you select us for your next stay.

Holiday Inn Blmgtn Arpt South- Mall Area

Pick up: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport

Drop off: New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport

Follow the Great River Road to La Crosse, Wisconsin and enjoy majestic views at Grandad Bluff, with its impressive bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley offering sweeping views that include Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Enjoy historic and beautiful Prairie du Chien, the second-oldest community in Wisconsin and home to the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in late July. Cross the river to visit Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa, located in one of the most picturesque sections of the Upper Mississippi River Valley, and preserving more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Native Americans. Travellers will enjoy seeing the mounds, many of which take the form of birds and bears. Continue to Dubuque, Iowa's oldest city, to see how the community has remade its Mississippi Riverwalk area into a lively destination. Experience The Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and, in summer, hear live music at the riverside amphitheater. Overnight Dubuque.

 

Super 8 by Wyndham Dubuque

For affordable comfort, stay at our Super 8 by Wyndham Dubuque hotel near Sundown Mountain Resort. Quick access to Highway 20 makes it easy to reach local attractions, shopping, and ski resorts from our hotel. We are just two miles from downtown Dubuque and two blocks from the University of Dubuque and Loras College.

Super 8 by Wyndham Dubuque

Today, continue south to Hannibal, Missouri and discover a historic river town where famous American writer Mark Twain spent his youth. First, explore the world-famous Mark Twain Cave and The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, then catch a show, take a ghost tour, and admire unique art galleries. Embark on a riverboat dinner cruise and experience the mighty Mississippi, just as Twain did. Overnight Hannibal.

 

Super 8 by Wyndham Hannibal

This simple budget hotel on Route 61 is 2.3 miles from Downtown Hannibal on the banks of the Mississippi River and 2.5 miles from the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. The Mark Twain Cave Complex is 4.5 miles away. All rooms include en suite bathrooms, TVs with cable channels, desks, and coffeemakers. There's free WiFi in every room and kids 17 and under stay free with an adult. Amenities include complimentary continental breakfast and parking, plus an outdoor pool.

Super 8 by Wyndham Hannibal

A two-hour drive takes you to St. Louis, home of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and the Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the USA. It commemorates Thomas Jefferson's vision and St. Louis' role in the westward expansion of the United States. St. Louis is also renowned for its diverse music scene. Visit the Soulard neighborhood for stellar live music, enjoy a delicious meal and music at a trendy suburban bistro, or spend an evening exploring the Loop, with its music clubs, ethnic restaurants, and unique boutiques. Take time to visit Blueberry Hill (where Chuck Berry played regularly) or The Beale on Broadway to see live Blues, Soul and R&B, and do not miss the National Blues Museum. It was also the childhood home of famous entertainer Josephine Baker. Overnight St. Louis.

 

Courtyard St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center

Located right in the heart of downtown, Courtyard St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center is just steps away from countless restaurants and locales, including Busch Stadium, the City Museum and America's Convention Center Complex. After diving into the surrounding area, unwind in the comfort of our rooms and suites, complete with complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-refrigerators and pillowtop mattresses for your utmost relaxation. When hunger arises, stop by The Bistro for a delectable breakfast and dinner. Our active travelers can keep up their exercise routine courtesy of our 24-hour fitness center. Need to host an event? Reserve one of our two venues for your business meeting or social gathering. Feel free to utilize our available catering options and high-performance AV equipment to enhance your special occasion. Whether traveling for work or pleasure, Courtyard St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center provides the friendly service and thoughtful amenities necessary for a successful stay in the Gateway to the West.

Courtyard St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center

No music tour would be complete without a visit to Nashville, Tennessee, to many the real home of Country music. At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, recordings, touch screens and memorabilia trace Country music from its roots to the present. The museum also offers tours of RCA Studio B, where artists such as Dolly Parton recorded songs. The Grand Ole Opry is the place to see today's Country music stars perform. For a variety of genres, catch a concert at the Ryman Auditorium, the historic church building that was once the home of the Opry. Nearby, new art flows regularly into the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (its Art Deco architecture is worth a stop for its own sake). Hungry? Find a meat-and-three restaurant, where you'll select one meat and three side dishes from a list of homespun choices (try golden-fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, corn, and collard greens accented with pork). Overnight Nashville.

 

Days Inn By Wyndham Nashville North/Opryland Area

Our Days Inn by Wyndham Nashville North/Opryland Area hotel near Opry Mills is your Music City stop in north central Tennessee. Just five miles from downtown and close to the Downtown Convention Center and Country Music Hall of Fame, your stay at our hotel will be a breeze.

Days Inn By Wyndham Nashville North/Opryland Area

Head back to the Great River Road and the Mississippi River toward Memphis, Tennessee. In this pilgrimage city for music-lovers, tour Sun Studio to stand where Blues and Rock legends such as B.B. King and Elvis Presley recorded some of their earliest hits. For an intimate look at Presley's life, tour his Graceland estate. At the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the rhythm shifts to Soul and Gospel. View memorabilia from Stax artists including Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes, whose gold-plated Cadillac is on display. For a sampling of Memphis' contemporary sounds, walk Beale Street, where live music seems to drift from every open door. The aroma of barbecue fills the air, too. Savour local specialties that include dry-rubbed ribs and smoked pulled-pork sandwiches. Overnight Memphis.

 

Comfort Inn Downtown - Memphis

This hotel is set overlooking the Mississippi River. The hotel is nestled amidst the historical centre of Memphis, lying just a short walking distance away from many of the city's main attractions. Guests will find themselves just a short distance away from the popular Beale Street. The hotel lies just 16 km away from Memphis Airport. This charming hotel welcomes guests with warm hospitality and excellent service. The guest rooms provide a haven of peace and serenity, in which to escape the rest of the world. Guests will be pleased by the host of facilities that the hotel has to offer. Guests can enjoy a delightful breakfast in the mornings, for a great start to the day.

Comfort Inn Downtown - Memphis

Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail to Clarksdale, Mississippi, located at the intersection of highways 61 and 49 ('the crossroads'). Clarksdale and the surrounding Delta region are known as 'the land where the blues began', making this the perfect home to the Delta Blues Museum. Continue south to Cleveland, Mississippi, home to Dockery Farms, which was established in 1895 to produce cotton. Charley Patton, considered to be the 'Father of the Delta Blues', was among the African Americans who worked here; he later created a formidable body of recordings that inspired numerous other blues musicians in the area. Being somewhat of an elder statesman he mentored among others Son House, Robert Johnson, and Howlin' Wolf. Overnight Indianola.

 

Super 8 by Wyndham Indianola

See why so many travelers make Super 8 by Wyndham Indianola their hotel of choice when visiting Indianola. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a budget friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. Free wifi is offered to guests, and rooms at Super 8 by Wyndham Indianola offer air conditioning. During your stay, take advantage of some of the amenities offered, including a 24 hour front desk and room service. Guests of Super 8 by Wyndham Indianola are also welcome to enjoy free breakfast, located on site. For travelers arriving by car, free parking is available.

Super 8 by Wyndham Indianola

Your first stop today should be at Indianola, Mississippi where you can visit the B.B. King Museum to learn about the map who helped popularize the Blues as a truly American art form. Join the Natchez Trace Parkway as you continue your journey to Natchez, Mississippi, the oldest settlement in Mississippi. Bygone plantations and restored antebellum mansions can be found all along your route and we recommend that you take time to explore some of these incredible homes that tell the stories of the South. Overnight Natchez.

 

Days Inn by Wyndham Natchez

Located on world-famous Highway 61, our Natchez, MS, hotel is close by great Southwest Mississippi attractions. Each morning, wake up to a free Hot Buffet Breakfast and enjoy our FREE SOUTHERN HOT SUPPER Mon-Thur. Take advantage of free Wi-Fi Internet access to stay connected from your hotel room and save time with on-site guest laundry. When the weather gets hot, cool off with a swim in our seasonal, sparkling outdoor pool and relax in our recently renovated rooms that have micros/fridges, flat screen tvs, in-room coffee and a staff to service you 24 hours. During this time and after we have stepped up our housekeeping details along with safety for every guest and staff member. We are using the purelight ultra violet wand along with our daily cleaning and sanitizing.

Days Inn by Wyndham Natchez

The last leg of your road trip takes you to into Louisiana to New Orleans, where the mighty Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, make a stop in Baton Rouge, the state's capital city and the hub of all things Louisiana. Baton Rouge is the perfect place to explore the eclectic culture of this amazing state. The city has more than 300 years of history, much of which can be seen in distinct architecture, tasted in delectable food, and learned through its unique culture. After visiting Baton Rouge, head to New Orleans. With its centuries-old cottages and elaborate, historic cemeteries, the city is a photographer's delight. Guided tours are an ideal way to learn about this special place. Join a stroll through the historic French Quarter or take a tour of New Orleans' cemeteries, to better understand voodoo and ghost lore. New Orleans is, of course, also a musical city of prime importance. At Preservation Hall, a rotating lineup of fabulous musicians plays traditional New Orleans Jazz in the most intimate, acoustic environment. Queue up early for standing-room-only space or plan to purchase one of the venue's limited seats. Elsewhere in the city, Frenchmen Street is a hub for live music, lined with venues such as The Spotted Cat Music Club. The cozy room packs as many as three bands nightly, spotlighting various forms of Jazz. Cuisine and the cocktail culture are vital to the New Orleans experience, too. From open-air cafes to fine-dining restaurants, you'll find countless interpretations of local signature dishes, such as sugar-dusted beignets, aromatic jambalaya and spiced, smoked Andouille sausage. Home to Jazz fest, Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, a visit to New Orleans is the perfect way to finish your journey. Overnight New Orleans.

 

Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome

Welcome to the Birthplace of Jazz. The Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome is located in the very neighborhood where Jazz began and just blocks from the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Our historic location, in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District, is a perfect location for both business and leisure travelers. We are ideally located next to the Biomedical District including University Medical Center, VA Hospital, Tulane Medical Center and LSU Health Sciences Center. For all of your sports and entertainment needs, we’re just two blocks from the Mercedes Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center. Nearby famous attractions include the National World War II Museum, Harrah’s Casino, as well as the Audubon Aquarium and Zoo. And if a cruise is for you, we offer a great park and cruise package.

Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome

Enjoy your last day in New Orleans before making your way to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for your flight home unless you plan to extend your stay in the area.


Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.