Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New Orleans & The Deep South
100% customisable for you
This afternoon, head to the airport, fast-track through security and unwind in the airport lounge before your direct ten-hour flight to New Orleans. Upon arrival, hop in a transfer to a downtown hotel, your home for the next two nights.
We always recommend hitting the ground running to combat your jet lag, and there's no better place to do so than the ‘Big Easy’. Our detailed Dossier will help you decide where best to eat, drink and be merry in New Orleans.
Ease into today with a relaxed morning (you’ll need it after all that travelling). Once you’re up and raring to go, head to Galatoire's for lunch, an iconic Bourbon Street restaurant in the heart of the French Quarter. Expect tuxedo-clad waiters, elegant ceiling fans and prime people-watching as regulars chow down on shrimp etouffee (a roux-based stew), grilled lemon fish and fresh gossip.
Fuelled for the day? It’s time for the whole family to dive into New Orleans’ creative scene. Spark the youngsters’ budding artistic spirits and head to the buzzing Warehouse Art District, where you’ll stroll past vibrant art galleries, quirky shops and historic buildings.
Come evening, tuck into some of the city’s finest food, from gumbo (a spicy stew served with rice) to jambalaya (paella's American cousin) and beignets (deep-fried pastries). Afterwards, introduce the little ones to live jazz, blues and rock music on Frenchmen Street.
With last night’s music still playing in your ears, it's time to trace New Orleans’ musical roots. On a private guided walking tour, visit Preservation Hall and other legendary jazz venues in the Tango Belt. Stroll around Storyville – once the red light district and melting pot of musical styles – before heading to Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square. This significant site is where enslaved West Africans once gathered and played music that would eventually morph into jazz.
Feeling peckish? Top up on food at one of our Dossier-recommended restaurants. Then swap music for marshlands on a family outing to Barataria Preserve. Level up to cool parent status as you embark on a two-hour airboat tour along Louisiana’s alligator-filled waterways.
Wrap up this evening back on safe ground in the Roosevelt Hotel’s Sazerac Bar. Parents can unwind with a well-deserved Sazerac (a classic New Orleans cocktail) while the children enjoy a mocktail. It’s been a busy day...
OK, so it hasn't felt like much of a family road trip so far, but that changes today. This morning, collect your hire car for the first leg of your three-hour journey along Interstate 55 to Natchez, Mississippi.
Drop your car and luggage off at your cosy hotel and put your feet up after the long drive. After relaxing, stretch your legs (little and large) on a self-guided walking tour of Natchez, once one of America’s wealthiest cities. Stroll through the downtown area and marvel at the grand plantation houses and extravagant architecture, a reminder of the city’s significant history.
Pop back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner and drinks. Our trusty Concierge can recommend the best spots in the city to suit the whole family, fussy and adventurous eaters alike.
Rise and shine, today you’re heading to Memphis, Tennessee. First, hit the road for two hours northeast along Route 61 and Interstate 55, arriving in Jackson just in time for lunch (our Dossier has a list of the best places for a bite to eat).
Re-energised? Put our destination-specific playlist on the speakers and continue for around three hours to reach Memphis, a lively city with a rich musical heritage. To delve deeper into its history, we recommend visiting Sun Studio during your two-night stay. Famed as the launchpad for many musical legends, you can enjoy a guided studio tour and stand in the very spot where Elvis first recorded. Listen to outtakes from recording sessions before heading to Beale Street for dinner, where the whole family can enjoy the buzzing atmosphere and live music.
There’s no need for a private guide this morning – the city is easy to explore independently. Still, we’ve got some must-see recommendations to share. As you'd imagine, Memphis is all about the music, so where better to start than the Stax Museum of American Soul Music? Appropriately located in Soulsville, it’s home to Isaac Hayes' iconic peacock blue and gold Cadillac Eldorado.
As you head back towards the city centre, swing by the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum to learn how these twin genres influenced gospel, blues and country music. Then, grab lunch on bustling Beale Street before walking to the dock, where we've booked you onto a classic Tennessee riverboat cruise along the mighty Mississippi River – the ideal backdrop for a family selfie.
After a day of exploring, tuck into some smoky pulled pork from a quintessential southern barbecue, like the Rum Boogie Café.
This morning, move away from music (temporarily) with a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. Learn about Martin Luther King, one of Memphis’ three kings (the others being B.B. King and ‘the King’, aka Elvis Presley) and delve into the South's complex racial history. After lunch, hit the road again to Nashville, located just over three hours away along Interstate 40.
The tuneful theme continues here in the heart of Tennessee, where Nashville, affectionately known as Music City, awaits. Famed as the spiritual home of country and western music, there’s plenty to see. Check into your central hotel before giving the little ones a country music education at live venues like The Basement, Mercy and The Stone Fox.
Start your morning off with a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame, where you’ll dive into the stories of country stars like Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band.
Next, wander across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and follow your nose to Main Street, where you can sample Nashville's famed hot chicken. Beware – Nashville hot chicken can be mouth-numbingly hot (although the youngsters might be up for the challenge).
After fiery fried chicken for lunch, why not head to the Parthenon this afternoon? It’s an exact replica of the temple that proudly overlooks Athens. Or, for something more active, we can arrange a kayaking trip along the Harpeth River.
This evening, sip your way through a few beers (soft drinks for the children) as you soak up Nashville's microbrewery scene. Then, it’s time to seek out – you guessed it – more live music…
Your mighty family road trip continues today. After breakfast, hop in your hire car and travel approximately three-and-a-half hours to Townsend, Tennessee, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Check into your private log cabin and admire the natural landscape around you – this is your home for the next three nights. Unpack, unwind and grab some much-needed shut-eye after the long drive, ahead of a big day of hiking tomorrow.
Wake up bright and early this morning, as today, you’re exploring the Great Smoky Mountains. The best way to discover the national park is on foot, so lace up your hiking boots and meet your guide for a one-hour drive into the heart of the ancient mountains. Choose between the moderate Rainbow Fall Trail, a five-and-a-half-mile round-trip featuring the towering 80ft falls, or if you’re feeling ambitious, press on to the summit of Mount Leconte, rising over 6,000ft tall. This longer 13.8-mile route is a strenuous hike, so only attempt it if your legs (little and large) feel up for the challenge. The view from the top is a worthy reward…
Whichever trail you choose, expect stunning mountain scenery as far as the eye can see, from thick forests to cascading waterfalls and soaring peaks. When the evening rolls around, kick back and relax. You've earned it.
Enjoy a leisurely lie-in this morning at your log cabin, waking up to spectacular views of the Smokies. Home to over 4,000 plants and 200 varieties of birds, the park is a nature-lover's haven – and is yours for the taking today.
Whether you tackle the hike you didn’t complete yesterday, explore other nearby trails, or simply spend the day filling your camera roll with scenic shots (the beautiful valley of Cades Cove is a must-visit), there’s plenty to do. When out and about, keep your eyes peeled for the park’s resident wildlife, including elk and black bears. Make the most of your last day here; tomorrow you’re off to Atlanta.
Wave goodbye to the Smokies, stock up on snacks and hit the road for a four-hour drive to Atlanta, Georgia. If you’ve any budding history buffs in your family, make a pit stop in Chattanooga, the site of a major battle in the 1863 American Civil War. But if you’re eager to avoid rush hour, continue to Atlanta.
On arrival in Georgia’s buzzing capital, check into your comfortable hotel and relax before exploring your surroundings. Missing the great outdoors? Wander around the Atlanta Botanical Garden for your nature fix. As for dinner, you’re spoilt for choice. Tuck into some hearty Southern staples or sample the city’s cutting-edge cuisine. And if you can’t decide, our Concierge is always on hand to recommend the best spots.
It’s the final day of your epic family road trip, so why not end on a high? Kick things off with a visit to the World of Coca-Cola, where you’ll delve into the history behind this iconic brand. Then, make your way to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where powerful exhibitions bring the US Civil Rights Movement to life.
After you’ve seen the city sights, sadly, it’s time to head to the airport for your flight home. Make sure you’re stocked up on snacks and entertainment before you board the eight-hour flight back to London this evening, which lands in the UK the next day. Your Deep South adventure might be over, but you’ll be swapping stories for years to come…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
