Day 1: Minneapolis Arrival
Welcome to Minneapolis, a city full of surprises. Upon arrival, transfer independently to your hotel. Start by immersing yourself in the music of Prince at First Avenue, a former Greyhound Bus depot, and now the hub of the city's live music scene (it's also the place where Prince performed regularly, experimenting with his eccentric new sounds). In 1983, the album version of the song Purple Rain was recorded here, and it was also the backdrop for his movie of the same name. Paisley Park is where you'll find Prince's recording studio and residence, now offering daily tours where visitors can see his iconic outfits, awards and other memorabilia. Don't miss the mural at 26th and Hennepin, painted by artist Rock "Cyfi" Martinez after Prince's death.
Extend your stay in Minneapolis to follow a Bob Dylan Tour along Highway 61. Visit Dylan's birthplace in Duluth, Minnesota as well as his boyhood home in Hibbing, then continue on to venues near the University of Minnesota campus where Dylan's unmistakable sound was developed. Finish the day at The Armory Arts & Music Centre, which marks the end of Duluth's Bob Dylan Way, a 1.8-mile (nearly 3-kilometre) cultural pathway through the city center of Duluth.
Day 2: Minneapolis - Dubuque
Follow the Great River Road to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Here, enjoy majestic views at Grandad Bluff, with its 600-foot (183-metre) bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley; visitors can see Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa from this impressive location. Enjoy historic and beautiful Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, 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.
Day 3: Dubuque - Hannibal
Continue south to Hannibal, Missouri. Explore this historic river town where famous American writer Mark Twain lived in 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 explore unique art galleries. Embark on a riverboat dinner cruise and experience the mighty Mississippi, just as Twain did.
Day 4: Hannibal - St. Louis
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest man-made monument in the USA, welcoming visitors to the city for 50 years with its iconic shape. The vision of renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the Gateway Arch 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.
Day 5: St. Louis - Nashville
No music tour would be complete without a visit to Nashville, Tennessee, home to 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). Extend your stay in Nashville to see all the city has to offer.
Day 6: Nashville - Memphis
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 goldplaled Cadillac is displayed. 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.
Day 7: Memphis - Cleveland
Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail to Clarksdale, Mississippi, localed 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 was among the African Americans who worked here; he later contributed to a culture that inspired the Blues, a true American art form. Also in Cleveland is the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi.
Day 8: Cleveland - Natchez
En route to joining the Natchez Trace Parkway, stop at Indianola, Mississippi. Visit the B.B. King Museum to learn about the man who helped popularize the Blues, a truly American art form. Join the Natchez Trace Parkway as you continue your journey to Natchez, Mississippi, the oldest settlement in Mississippi. The journey will take you past bygone plantations and restored antebellum mansions. Take time to explore some of these incredible homes that tell the stories of the South.
Day 9: Natchez - New Orleans
The last leg of your road trip will take you to New Orleans, Louisiana where the mighty Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, make a stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana'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, voodoo and ghost lore. New Orleans is also a musical city. 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.
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