We have previously hosted a tour to both Nashville and Memphis TN, and everyone had a great time.  By popular request we are scheduling a Nashville – Memphis tour this year.  You won’t want to miss touring the highlights of these two fascinating cities.

We will begin with in route to NASHVILLE.

Day 1: Thursday, October 26, 2023

9:30 AM – Depart from Cedar Rapids Sam’s Club behind Burger King.
The Motor Coach will be on site at 9:00 for loading.  Additional pick-up locations will be Super Target West off Edgewood Rd. Southwest corner of parking lot. And Iowa City Walmart at Coral ridge, Southwest corner.

11:00 AM – Lunch at Fiddlesticks Restaurant Hannibal Mo.

12:00 PM – Depart Fiddlesticks

2:30 PM – TBD Rest stop 

3:00 PM – Depart Rest stop for Kentucky Dam Village Resort, Gilbertsville, KY

5:00 PM – TBD Rest stop

7:00 PM – Arrive Kentucky Dam Village Resort overnight and (dinner at the resort on your own) The restaurant may be closed for the season, if so, We will have dinner at a nearby Cracker Barrel

 

DAY 2: Friday, October 27, 2023

Breakfast is included at the hotel.

8:30 AM – Depart for the Golden Pond Visitor Center

9:00 AM – Arrive Golden Pond Visitor Center
The Golden Pond Visitor Center’s exhibit room of historic photographs and interpretive messages explains the rich heritage of the land and the people who lived “between the rivers.” The exhibit also delves into the buildings of the dams on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers with the eventual forming of Land Between the Lakes.

9:45 AM – Depart for Nashville, TN

11:30 AM – Arrive Ole Red.
Get up close and personal with tomorrow’s and today’s country stars at Ole Red, where the hottest talent comes to play and where you’ll find the biggest sound on a small stage. Grab your drink, put on your dancing shoes, and cozy right up to the stage and say you heard them when. Lunch is included at Ole Red. Located on Broadway, those who want to explores some of the shops are able to while others sit and enjoy the music.

3:00 PM – Depart for the Gaylord Opryland Hotel

3:30 PM – Arrive Gaylord Opryland Hotel Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Your next two nights are at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Situated in the heart of Nashville, this luxury hotel allows you to hit all the high notes of Music City both in the area and under their roof. Looking to make a splash? SoundWaves, an upscale water experience featuring 4 acres of combined indoor and outdoor water attractions, opened in December 2018. Enjoy 9 acres of lush indoor gardens and cascading waterfalls. There is also a full-service spa for a relaxing way to unwind. Please note: The Spa, Shopping, non-included meals, admission to Madame Tussauds Nashville and other admissions and incidental charges at the hotel or mall are not included in the Tour Price.

5:15 PM – Depart for the Nashville Nightlife dinner theater.
Begin with an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet that includes entrees such as fried chicken, ribs, Swedish meatballs, sausage w/peppers, fish, pasta, an array of vegetables, baked potatoes, salads, hot rolls, and cobblers for dessert. Experience a celebration of Country Music from both past and present. Hear songs from many of the great artists in country music history along with today’s hottest superstars. Enjoy the music of everyone from Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline to the superstars of today like Sara Evans and Toby Keith!

 

DAY 3: Saturday, October 28, 2023

8:30 AM – Depart for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

9:00 AM – Arrive the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum adds a strikingly modern touch to the Nashville skyline. The museum, is called the “Smithsonian of country music” because of its unrivaled collection, In the museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music, visitors are immersed in the history and sounds of country music, its origins and traditions, and the stories and voices of many of its honored architects. The story is revealed through artifacts, photographs, and text panels, with a rich overlay of recorded sound, vintage video, and interactive touchscreens.

11:15 AM – Depart for lunch at 3 rd. and Lindsay and the show Backstage Nashville.
Backstage Nashville™ is a unique hit songwriters show that has quickly become one of Nashville, Tennessee’s top tourist attractions. This weekly show features country music’s top songwriters and Nashville’s hottest rising stars at the legendary 3rd & Lindsley. Music lovers from all over the world come to Backstage Nashville to hear country music’s greatest hits and the stories behind them. They might even hear a song before it becomes a hit on the radio! Backstage Nashville has been described as the “Grand Ole Opry meets the Bluebird Cafe”. This intimate experience gets you up close and personal with Nashville’s top songwriters. There isn’t a bad seat in the house! The venue is filled with iconic artwork created by GRAMMY award winning songwriter Ray Stephenson – ears AND eyes are entertained

2:30 PM – Depart for a tour of Nashville and all her major attractions.
Visit Downtown Music City for a short step on guided tour and discover Riverfront Park, 2nd Ave & Honky Tonk Row, Ryman Auditorium, Music City Center, Printers Alley, Bridgestone Arena, Avenue of the Arts, the Arcade & more. View the State Capitol and Legislative Plaza, & Farmers Market. Drive by German Town & New Ball Park. Visit Bicentennial Park, Centennial Park & the Parthenon. Stop at Marathon Village and choose between: Drive through The Gulch, 12th South and Music Row and discover how Nashville has come alive. A stop will be made at Ole Smokey Moonshine Distillery to sample some of their wares.

5:00 PM – Dinner is included at PAULA DEEN’S Family Kitchen followed by the Grand Ole Opry.
What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live entertainment phenomenon dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present. The Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. The Opry – an American icon and Nashville, Tennessee’s number-one attraction – is world famous for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages.

 7:00 PM – The show begins.

 

DAY 4: Sunday, October 29, 2023

This morning, take some to explore the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

11:00 AM – Depart for lunch on the General Jackson Riverboat. 

Every Sunday, the General Jackson Showboat impresses with their Southern Homecoming show. This live entertainment show displays the best of Sunday music including Southern Gospel favorites and country music hits performed at the expansive theatre. Just a few of the artists who are featured in this show include Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, and Tim McGraw. 

The meal served during this show features fresh salads, hickory pit-smoked shoulder, Southern fried chicken, delicious southern-style sides, and a seasonal fruit cobbler for dessert.

11:15 AM – Boarding begins. 

Noon – The cruise aboard the General Jackson departs.

2:30 PM – Depart for Memphis.

6:00 PM – Arrive Southland Casino, West Memphis AR.
Dinner is available at the casino (on your own.)

 

DAY 5: Monday, October 30, 2023

6:00 – 8:00 AM – Multiple Breakfast options available at the Casino (on your own)

8:30 AM – Depart for Backbeat Tours

9:00 AM – Arrive Backbeat Tours

The Home of the Blues comes alive on this city tour aboard the nation’s only music bus. All of the guides on this tour are professional Beale Street musicians who play and sing selections from the city’s rich musical heritage, while entertaining you with comedy, history, and behind-the-scenes stories of your favorite Memphis personalities.
Along the way, you will see:

• Sun Studio
• Beale Street
• Stax Studio
• The Lorraine Motel
• Cotton Row
• Peabody Hotel
• Overton Park
• Historic Central Gardens
• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
• Early homes of Elvis, B. B. King, and Johnny Cash

Enjoy an exciting introduction to Memphis on this action-packed drive through the city. It’s great fun for all ages!

11:00 – Tour Famous “Beale Street” Lunch on Your own at “BB Kings” or at one of several other famous Beale St. restaurants.

12:30 PM – Depart for the THE PEABODY HOTEL

1:00 PM – Arrive at the PEABODY HOTEL

Back in the 1930s Frank Shutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Tennessee sippin’ whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain. Three small English call ducks were selected as “guinea pigs,” and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Thus began a Peabody tradition which was to become internationally famous.

In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, offered to help with delivering the ducks to the fountain each day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Mr. Pembroke became Peabody Duckmaster, serving in that capacity for 50 years until his retirement in 1991.

2:00 PM – Depart the Peabody Hotel for the “BASS PRO SHOP”

2:30 PM – Arrive at the Bass Pro Shop.  You have never seen an outdoor shop like this.

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis is one of the most dynamic and immersive retail experiences in the world. It’s more than a store; it’s an adventure! In addition to an incredible assortment of fishing, boating, hunting and outdoor gear, the mega store includes a 103-room hotel with treehouse cabins (see Big Cypress Lodge below); 600,000 gallons of water teeming with over 1,800 fish; a cypress swamp with alligator pools and duck aviaries; and a breathtaking observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel pyramid.

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid offers something for everyone, from the serious outdoor enthusiast to families looking to have fun.

3:30 PM – Depart The Bass Pro Shop for the Southland Casino.

4:00 PM – Arrive the Southland Casino for a casual and entertaining evening on your own.

 

DAY 6: Tuesday, October 31, 2023

7:00-8:30 AM –  Southland Casino breakfast of choice. On your own.

9:00 AM – Depart for “GRACELAND” Home of Elvis Presley.

9:30 AM – Arrive at Graceland for self guided tour.
Graceland is so much more than a Mansion. It was the private retreat of the King of Rock ‘n Roll. It was where his family grew up, spent their time together and enjoyed life. Today, you’re invited to explore Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland Mansion, and immerse yourself in his life and legacy at Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex. Featuring over 10 Elvis themed exibits and attractions. 4 full service restaurants plus additional grab and go options and so much more

AN ALTERNATIVE TO GRACELAND IS THE MEMPHIS ZOO.

Memphis Zoo is home to 3,500+ animals. Find your favorites and discover new species to Love. 

After dropping participants at Graceland we will proceed to drop interested guests at the Memphis zoo.

1:00 PM – Depart Graceland

1:30 PM – Depart the Memphis Zoo

2:00 PM – Arrive at Southland Casino  For a little free time fun and games prior to heading back to Cedar Rapids tomorrow morning.

 

DAY 7: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

7:00 AM – Bags ready for departure per. Instructions.

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM –Breakfast of choice, On own.

8:30 AM – Depart for Cedar Rapids

10:30 AM – Rest Stop tbd.

1:30 PM – Rest Stop tbd

4:00 PM – Dinner at Fiddlesticks Hannibal Mo.  “On own”

5:00 PM – Depart Hannibal Mo. For Cedar Rapids.

8:00 PM – Arrive Sam’s Club Cedar Rapids.

 

Prices:

$ 2220 pp.dbl.oc

$ 2585 Sig. oc.

Contact us to reserve your seat(s)