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Follow the Blues – The South’s Great Music Towns

Follow the Blues – The South’s Great Music Towns

Nashville Memphis Clarksdale New Orleans
Trip length7-12 days
Route distance700 mi
Stops4
Customize this tripFree account · edit dates, stops & pace

Trip overview

Hugging the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Route 61 is one of the most celebrated highways in American music history. On this southern 600-mile portion (of the 1,400 miles total length, starting in Minnesota and following the mighty Mississippi River south) of the Blues Highway, tourists can stop at the culturally-rich cities of Nashville, Memphis, Clarksdale, and New Orleans. Fans of jazz, blues, soul, country, and rock 'n roll will find dozens of iconic theaters, historic record studios, and clubs on a journey down the Blues Highway. However, that doesn't mean a trip down Route 61 is dedicated solely to music's past – each of these cities pulsates with popular and rising singers and songwriters in countless live venues. For those looking to sample some great BBQ and Southern food, there are plenty of great options throughout this trip. Let AdventureGenie help you plan the perfect camping trip through musical history on the Blues Highway.

Who will love this trip
Music fans are probably the best fit for this trip. There are tons of opportunities to learn about past legends and see current bands perform in these destinations. The music style runs the gamut – jazz, blues, soul, rock, country, indie, etc.

Trip tips

  • Purchase Tickets in Nashville, Memphis and Clarksdale: The Nashville Total Access Pass lets you visit six attractions from over 25 across the city, plus six more exclusive deals. The Memphis Hop, a hop-on, hop-off tour bus ($22/adults & $17/child) makes stops at 10 Memphis attractions each hour. For a private tour of Clarksdale, contact historian Robert Birdsong at Hopson Commissary: 662-624-5756 or 662-645-6061.

  • Stop by Visitor Centers: The Nashville Visitor Centers, open daily 9am–5pm, for travel assistance, insider tips, tickets, maps, brochures, gifts, and more. Check the Nashville Events Calendar for concerts, sporting events, music festivals, holiday events and more.

  • The two Memphis Visitor Centers have all the details you need for a great trip.

  • The Tupelo Visitor Center has interactive exhibits, and is open Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm and Saturday, 9am – 1pm.

  • The French Quarter Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is open daily 9:30am–4:30pm, except federal holidays and on Mardi Gras.

  • Experience NOLA During Mardi Gras: New Orleans hosts multiple, overlapping mega-festivals during March and April. Mardi Gras is the most famous, lasting about two weeks and culminating on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The weather can dictate anything from summer shorts to winter coats. Check the Visit New Orleans Mardi Gras Guide for more information.

  • Travel Easily in Memphis and New Orleans: The Memphis Area Transit Authority offers city-wide buses and vintage trolley cars, with hours varying by trolley line. One-way trolley fares are $1; day passes are $2. The Sun Studio Shuttle, a daily, hourly and free (on a first-come first-served basis) goes between three of Memphis' best music attractions. Bike rentals, car sharing, and taxis are also available.

  • In New Orleans, Jazzy Passes are the most cost-effective option for bus and street cars, offering 1-, 3-, and 31-day passes at $3, $9, and $55 respectively. If riding the street cars without a pass, use exact cash ($1.25/adult ride) or download the city’s transit authority cashless app.

  • Watch the Weather: New Orleans is most susceptible to hurricanes from August–early October. Check weather forecasts before you travel.

  • Stay Safe in NOLA: While New Orleans has a crime rate above the national average, tourist areas are generally safe and regularly patrolled by police but be aware of your surroundings. Do not wander into deserted, non-tourist areas, and stay in groups when possible.

Your route

Route map: Follow the Blues – The South’s Great Music Towns
1Nashville2Memphis3Clarksdale4New Orleans
1
Stop 1 1-3 day stay

Nashville, TN

Nashville, TN

Nashville is at the heart of America's country music scene. Home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman, this city has a legendary reputation for both live and recorded music. Visitors to Nashville will have dozens of opportunities to tour music studios, sound stages, and museums celebrating music. Any night of the week, visitors can choose from dozens of live professional performances at venues large and small – it's almost too many great choices!  True to its status as America's "Music City," Nashville has plenty of neon-lit bars along Honky Tonk Highway that welcome up-and-coming musicians. The only thing "hotter" than Nashville's music scene is its legendary hot chicken! Let AdventureGenie help you plan a rockin’ RV trip to Nashville! 

Top things to do

Most of Nashville's top attractions center around its musical legacy, but there are a few non-music-related sites you may find intriguing. Here are some of our favorite things to see and do in Nashville:  

1
Ryman AuditoriumOriginally built in the 1890s, the legendary Ryman Auditorium became internationally famous when it began hosting the Grand Ole Opry live radio (and then TV) show in the 1920s. The Ryman is “where bluegrass was born,” and where country music went from casual back porch music to worldwide renown. It is also where Johnny Cash met June Cash. The list of musical legends who have taken the stage here is endless and awe-inspiring. The Grand Ole Opry outgrew the Ryman in the 1970s and a larger suburban state-of-the-art theater complex was built several miles from downtown to hold the burgeoning country music crowds. The Ryman sat empty until the 1990s when it was renovated, and it once again became the legendary live music venue it is today where music history is made. The Ryman offers (almost) daily performances by big-name singers and bands in a wide variety of music genres. Tickets for many performances book well in advance, so plan ahead. Tours are also available daily.
2
Grand Old OpryKnown as the “Home of Country Music,” the Opry has a history as rich as the Ryman. Legends perform here and have for decades. The list of performers over the years is a “who’s who” of country music’s greats. The Opry offers performances several nights a week and fun backstage tours daily.
3
Country Music Hall of FameThis 350,000 square foot downtown museum and performing arts venue is designed to “preserve, celebrate and share” the cultural asset of country music, and has been called the “Smithsonian of country music.” It has great exhibits and shows.
4
Live MusicBe sure to book a spot at one of the dozens of live performances each night (many serve food and drinks during performances). Now Playing Nashville offers a comprehensive list of live performances around town. Some of the most popular and iconic venues, where both known and up-and-coming singer-songwriters perform, are the Bluebird Café, Robert’s Western World, and Station Inn.
5
Honky Tonk HighwayLocated in downtown Nashville, Honky Tonk Highway is the epicenter of Nashville's live music scene. Every night until 3 AM, the dozens of clubs along this street light up with eye-catching signs and thrilling live concerts. Schedule a night stroll to sip and savor the sounds and flavors of this tourist-friendly area.
6
RCA Studio BOf the many historic recording studios in Nashville, RCA Studio B is arguably the most significant. Artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and David Bowie used this downtown studio at some point in their careers. While RCA Studio B is no longer in use, it welcomes tourists who want to see where artists cut some of America's greatest records.
7
Johnny Cash MuseumLocated above RCA Studio B, you can spend an hour or so touring the life and times of the Man in Black. Artifacts, film, media, and recordings – all things Johnny Cash – are on display at this wonderful downtown museum.
8
Nashville Parthenon at Centennial ParkThe Nashville Parthenon displays rotating art and educational exhibits focused on Ancient Greek culture, as well as the Tennessee Centennial Exhibition and the building of the Nashville Parthenon.
9
Gaylord Opryland ResortThis resort hotel has a huge indoor waterpark open to the public plus restaurants and entertainment. Great for kids and adults.

Nashville, TN activities

HikingWalkingBikingSightseeingLive MusicNightlifeMuseumsShoppingCity Tours

RV campgrounds near Nashville, TN

There are dozens of RV-friendly campgrounds – public and private – in and around Nashville. Let AdventureGenie help you find the right Nashville camping spot! 

Next stop: Memphis
2
Stop 2 1-2 day stay

Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN

Hugging the banks of the Mississippi, Memphis is America's most "soulful" city. Here, the sorrowful strains of enslaved sharecroppers morphed into "The Blues." Throughout the 20th century, Memphis continued to be a musical mecca as rock 'n' roll and soul music blossomed. You'll also discover where Elvis' career began and ended at Sun Records and Graceland. Memphis also has quite a reputation for its BBQ and soul food. Visitors should not ignore Memphis' massive Civil Rights history. Its Civil Rights Museum is both sobering and inspiring and includes the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. While some of Memphis's historic sites serve as sobering reminders, this city's resilience, culture, and music are sure to lift your spirits. AdventureGenie can help you plan a wonderful camping trip for exploring Memphis.

Top things to do

Given its status as the "Birthplace of Blues," there are tons of attractions throughout Memphis. History buffs and music fans should add a few of these stops to their Memphis RV trip:  

1
Beale StreetOften called the "Home of Blues," Beale Street is a rowdy, 2-mile street near the Mississippi River. This entertainment district houses Memphis's best-known bars, clubs, and restaurants, most of which host exceptional live music. Whether you're looking for soul food or soulful sounds, a walk down Beale Street will satisfy you.
2
Sun StudioSun Studio may not look like much from the outside, but it’s had significant impact on 20th-century American pop music. While legends like Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison recorded here, this studio will always be linked with Elvis Presley's first single, That's All Right. Anyone who wants to see rock 'n’ roll history can't pass on a guided tour of Sun Studio.
3
GracelandJust a few miles south of downtown is Elvis Presley's iconic 13-acre Graceland estate. Visitors can tour the mansion where "The King" spent his later years and pay their respects at Elvis's gravesite. You can learn even more about Elvis's life (and admire his luxurious cars, clothes, and planes!) in Elvis Presley's Memphis Museum during your visit to Graceland.
4
Stax Museum of American Soul Music"Stax sound" was synonymous with "soul music" in the Sixties and Seventies. People with a love for soul music will find thousands of items housed inside Memphis's Stax Museum. On a journey through this celebrated museum, you'll learn about the formation of Stax Records and the many artists who helped bring soul music to national prominence.
5
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine HotelLocated in the old motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968, this sobering and thoughtful museum inspires visitors and educates them on the national Civil Rights Movement as well as Memphis’ vital role in it. Learn about Civil Rights heroes such as Rosa Parks and the Freedom Riders.

Memphis, TN activities

Live MusicHistory ToursMuseumsRiverboat RidesNightlifeZoo

RV campgrounds near Memphis, TN

There are dozens of RV-friendly campgrounds – public and private – in and around Memphis. Let AdventureGenie help you find the right Memphis camping spot!  

Next stop: Clarksdale
3
Stop 3 1 day stay

Clarksdale, MS

Clarksdale, MS

About a one-hour drive south of Memphis, Clarksdale isn't the largest city on Route 61, but it holds its own in terms of musical history. It is considered “Ground Zero” for blues music. Dozens of blues greats called Clarksdale home. At the Delta Blues Museum, visitors can view vintage instruments and gain a greater appreciation for the area's musical legacy. Tupelo, Mississippi, is a great side-trip to see Elvis Presley’s birthplace. Clarksdale is also significant for those interested in American literature – famed playwright Tennessee Williams was born here, and the city served as an inspiration for his major works.

Top things to do

Clarksdale isn't as large as Nashville or Memphis, but there are many noteworthy music and cultural attractions. Here are some of the most popular:  

1
Delta Blues MuseumCreated in the late 1970s, Clarksdale's Delta Blues Museum is the city's oldest and largest museum dedicated to preserving musical artifacts. Hundreds of impressive vehicles, instruments, and cars, once owned by legendary Blues performers such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and John Lee Hooker, are on display.
2
Ground Zero Blues ClubThis lively dining and music venue opened in 2001 with great fanfare to “celebrate the area’s rich blues heritage and to provide a venue in which it can continue,” and to “showcase the best of today’s Delta Blues musicians.” Its owners include actor Morgan Freeman and other Hollywood bigwigs.
3
Clarksdale Historic DistrictFans of Tennessee Williams' work will appreciate a tour of Clarksdale's Historic District. Here, you'll see many buildings that played a crucial role in Williams' plays, including the Cutrer Mansion which helped inspire A Streetcar Named Desire. Tourists can also visit the St. George's Episcopal Church where Williams spent the earliest years of his life.
4
TupeloAbout two-hours away, you can visit Elvis Presley's birthplace. Tupelo has many monuments of their most famous son. The must-see attraction here is the Elvis Presley's Birthplace and Museum. You'll find other historical attractions, including a replica of DC's Vietnam War Memorial Wall.

Clarksdale, MS activities

Live MusicHistory ToursMusic ToursLiterary EventsMuseums

RV campgrounds near Clarksdale, MS

There are several public and private camping options near Clarksville, including Tombigbee Lake State Park. Let AdventureGenie help you find the perfect campground to enjoy Clarksdale! 

Next stop: New Orleans
4
Stop 4 2-4 day stay

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans, LA

NOLA. The Crescent City. The Big Easy. People refer to New Orleans by many names, but everyone loves this unique and lively city. It has a rich music heritage, and live performances abound. Noted for its French, Spanish, Cajun, and Creole influences, New Orleans has a vibe that is equal parts cultural appreciation and party culture. Whether you want to listen to live jazz, sit back and savor a café au lait, or dance and drink along Bourbon Street, there are many ways to make the most of a New Orleans adventure. Major events include the Mardi Gras celebration (which begins two weeks before Ash Wednesday annually) and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (spanning the last weekend in May to the first weekend in June annually). 

Top things to do

From cafés and cathedrals to bar-lined streets and haunted cemeteries, there are plenty of fascinating stops on a NOLA getaway. Here are some of our top picks: 

1
French Quarter & Bourbon StreetThe French Quarter is the focal point for many visitors to New Orleans. Famous for its ornate Spanish architecture, this culturally-rich area has dozens of the city's busiest bars, clubs, and Creole and Cajun restaurants. No trip would be complete without a stroll down raucous Bourbon Street which is known for its bars, bright lights, and live jazz.
2
Jackson Square & St. Louis CathedralLocated within the French Quarter, Jackson Square is a great reprieve from the excitement of Bourbon Street. Based on the Place des Vosges in Paris, this charming green space is home to the picturesque St. Louis Cathedral. Be sure to visit Jackson Square later in the day to see NOLA's famous street performers.
3
Jazz ClubsBe sure to spend time at one of the dozens of jazz clubs in Orleans. If you want to avoid the noisy French Quarter, there are other jazz clubs around town, including on Frenchman Street in the neighboring Marigny area. To find all jazz and other types of performances, check out WWOZ’s Events Calendar.
4
Garden DistrictPhotographers (and everyone else) should schedule a trip to Uptown's Garden District. From its gorgeous mansions to its rolling streetcars, everywhere you turn in the Garden District presents an opportunity for a great photo of this elegant area. Even the district's spooky Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of the oldest cemeteries in NOLA with remains of hundreds of German and Irish settlers, has an undeniable NOLA charm!
5
The National World War II MuseumIs one of the highest quality museums in the U.S. Prepare for an informative and moving experience at this massive museum complex. New Orleans was the home of the Higgins Boatyard, which built all of the amphibious landing crafts used in WWII. Listen to some of the hundreds of recorded personal accounts of U.S. servicemen who served during the war. This is a “must see” stop for history buffs and everyone else.
6
Café du MondeThis iconic open-air New Orleans café has been serving up chicory coffee and beignets (fried dough with sugar) since 1862. It is open 24/7.
7
Mardi Gras WorldNothing can replace the thrill of visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras. However, visitors at other times of the year can appreciate the city's Carnival celebration at the Mardi Gras World Warehouse. Measuring 300,000 square feet, Mardi Gras World contains many of the floats used in the iconic New Orleans parades. On your guided tour, you'll see how craftspeople assemble and design New Orleans' amazing floats.

New Orleans, LA activities

Jazz ClubsLive MusicSteamboat RidesStreetcar RidesCarriage RidesCity & History ToursBoat ToursNew Orleans Saints (NFL)New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)WalkingBikingFishingBoatingPaddlingGolf

RV campgrounds near New Orleans, LA

New Orleans has numerous camping options both in the city center and near New Orleans Lakefront Airport, Pirogue Bayou, and Lake Lery. Let AdventureGenie help you find a great campground for your visit to New Orleans!

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