Tennessee Cruise from Memphis to New Orleans — 9 Days

Memphis TN, USA

Memphis sits on the Mississippi, where river commerce and music shaped a distinctly American city. At the National Civil Rights Museum, exhibits trace the struggle for equality inside and beyond the Lorraine Motel. Beale Street keeps the blues close, while Graceland offers an intimate look at Elvis Presley’s life and legacy. Allow time for both: Memphis is best understood through its music, its history, and its riverfront.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• River Cruising (River Cruising)

Terrene Landing-Cleveland MS, USA

Cleveland sits on Lake Erie, where a working waterfront meets a celebrated cultural scene. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame traces popular music through artifacts, films and landmark performances. Nearby, the Cleveland Museum of Art offers a remarkable collection and free general admission. In Ohio City, West Side Market has served Cleveland since 1912, with stalls selling produce, meats and regional specialties. Playhouse Square brings Broadway tours and live performance to the heart of downtown.

Vicksburg MS, USA

Vicksburg sits high above the Mississippi, where river commerce and Civil War history shape the city. Its National Military Park preserves the landscape of the 1863 siege, with monuments, trenches and a scenic driving route. Downtown, explore historic streets, river views and museums that explain Vicksburg’s strategic place in American history. Pair the battlefield with the Old Courthouse Museum, then take time to watch the Mississippi flow past.

Natchez MS, USA

Natchez rises above the Mississippi on a high bluff, with river views that have shaped its fortunes for centuries. Its compact historic district rewards a thoughtful walk past Federal and Greek Revival homes, churches, and gardens. Learn how cotton wealth and slavery built the city, then visit the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. For a wider view, follow part of the Natchez Trace Parkway, an ancient route through wooded countryside.

Baton Rouge, USA

On the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge offers a Louisiana experience beyond New Orleans—more political, collegiate and distinctly local. The red-brick Old State Capitol commands downtown. The USS Kidd, a decorated World War II destroyer, is moored nearby. At Louisiana’s capital, sample Cajun and Creole cooking, explore museums, or visit historic plantations along the river. Come for a different view of the Deep South.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Oak Alley Plantation, USA

In Vacherie, Oak Alley Plantation’s tunnel of live oaks leads to one of Louisiana’s most recognizable homes. The Greek Revival mansion was built between 1837 and 1839, amid the region’s sugar-cane economy. Site exhibits and tours address the enslaved people whose labor sustained the plantation. Come for the celebrated avenue; leave with a clearer understanding of its beauty and its cost.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans makes a memorable port call. The Mississippi River runs beside a city shaped by French, Spanish, African, and American influences. From the French Quarter’s wrought-iron balconies to the Garden District’s grand homes, the city rewards unhurried exploration. Listen for brass bands, taste Creole and Cajun cooking, and ride the historic streetcar beneath live oaks. Leave time for the riverfront and beignets with café au lait. New Orleans is best savoured at its own pace.