This is it: The Road Trip of a Lifetime for nostalgic music lovers everywhere!
Have you long dreamed of taking a journey like this? Well – Dream no longer!
Here it is: This is no fantasy. This is the real thing.
Travel with us to many of the iconic, classic cities that claimed their fame on music.
Branson – Memphis – Nashville – Pigeon Forge – Renfro Valley – Shipshewana – Chicago
Day 1 – Home to Kansas City, MO
Travel day today. Take advantage of the “down time” to preview and prepare for the full and fabulous days ahead. Tonight there will be a manager’s “kickback” reception at the hotel.
Included Meals: Manager’s Reception
Hotel: Drury Inn (Blue Springs)
Day 2 – Kansas City to Branson, MO
Great hot breakfast at our beautiful hotel before we continue our journey to Branson. We’ll have a convenient lunch stop on your own just before we arrive in Branson. An amazing afternoon is planned at Sight & Sound Theatre. We start with an intriguing Behind the Scenes tour of the Musical Production of “Moses.” Gain fascinating insight into “how it’s done” on this amazing set before you see the show! It will give you an even greater appreciation of this compelling production. Then we will be immersed in the incredible live performance of “Moses.” Unlike anything you have ever experienced! We’ll enjoy an included dinner at one of our favorite dining places in Branson, McFarlain’s Family Restaurant, with real home cooked Ozark vittles! Tonight, laugh ‘til you think your sides will split and enjoy the great music of Branson’s Hottest Show, Pierce Arrow, featuring the world’s lowest base singer according to Guinness BOWR.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton on the Strip
Day 3 – Branson to Memphis, TN
Breakfast at the hotel before an early start on the day. We are headed to Memphis. Enjoy the beautiful springtime blossoms on display as we make our way through the Ozarks and across Arkansas. Lunch will be on your own. We arrive in Memphis early afternoon and go directly to Graceland, the iconic home of the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis. This has been a pilgrimage for many people over the years and you will totally enjoy the experience! Departing from Graceland, we check into our hotel. We have handpicked the Hampton Inn, downtown Memphis, strategically located one block from Beale street. You are on your own tonight to enjoy the authentic sights, sounds and food of this one and only “Home of the Blues,” so designated by an Act of Congress in 1977. Also known as the birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll, waiting to be explored are such iconic and historic places as BB Kings, Blues City Café, Miss Polly’s Soul City, King’s Palace, Dyers, Alfred’s, The Hard Rock and Jerry Lee Lewis Café. Relish the experience of this musical & magical evening!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hampton Inn Memphis off Beale Street (2 Nights)
Day 4 – Memphis
Eat a hearty hot breakfast at our hotel this morning. You’ll need the energy as you prepare for a bountiful day. We are joined today by a local expert guide who will unveil Musical Memphis like you’ve never heard before. Included will be many famous landmarks such as Sun Studio, Rock ‘n Roll Museum and the incredible Stax Museum. A trip to this city is not official until you have experienced authentic Memphis BBQ, and this we will enjoy as our included lunch at one of Memphis’ most celebrated BBQ cafés. You will have some time to continue to explore Beale Street this evening and have dinner on your own before we have the privilege of the off Broadway production of “The Sound of Music” at the beautiful and historic Orpheum Theatre located right on Beale Street. Wow! What a day!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Memphis to Nashville, TN
This morning we appropriately travel The Music Highway, a portion of Interstate 40 between Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville, so designated by the Tennessee Legislature. We arrive just in time for a wonderful included lunch at Café Fontanella. The Café is located at Fontanel, the incredible former residence of Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell. The home is an amazing 33,000 sq ft log mansion situated on beautifully landscaped grounds in Whites Creek just outside of Nashville. Following lunch we are privileged to an inside tour of the home guided by an aspiring country music song writer/performer. The mansion is the biggest log residence of its type in the world and was conceived and designed by Barbara and her husband. Leaving Fontanel, we arrive at The Gaylord Opryland Resort, our home base for the next three days! This world renown lavish hotel is set under three mammoth glass atriums. Our rooms are all situated on the atrium side, providing amazing views. You’ll have the entire late afternoon and evening to explore this expansive place. You are on your own for dinner tonight to select from 17 restaurants, grills, bars, delis, etc. The entire tour would be worth it just for this extended stay at this wonderful place!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort (3 Nights)
Day 6 – Nashville
Wow! Pinch yourself. Am I really waking up in this splendid place? Breakfast is provided at the resort this morning in your pleasant surroundings. We are joined the next couple of days by a local Nashville expert who will guide us through our Music City experience. Today we’ll enjoy an insightful city tour that includes such enchanting places as Music Row, historic Ryman Auditorium, the nostalgic George Jones Museum and the captivating Johnny Cash Museum. We are honored to enjoy lunch together at LuLa’s Cafe attached to the Ryman Auditorium. We are guests this evening at a private dinner show with a local Nashville Songwriter. This will be a memory you will cherish – for a long time!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show
Day 7 – Nashville
Another awesome breakfast in paradise before our invaluable host guides us through another exciting day in Nashville. This will be a hugely informative and entertaining adventure. Lots of “One & Onlys” today. The Country Music Hall of Fame, Historic RCA Studio B where Elvis himself recorded more than 260 songs! Plus a lunch cruise with fabulous Nashville Sound entertainment on the General Jackson Showboat. We think the best musicians in the world are in Nashville! Later on, the day is capped with a live radio show of the Grand Ole Opry. We not only see the show but are privy to a behind-the-scenes, backstage tour to see how it all happens and possibly rub shoulders with some of the music legends themselves. Truly a spectacular day!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Cruise
Day 8 – Nashville to Pigeon Forge, TN
No hurry this morning. Take your time for breakfast and absorb the luxurious surroundings before we continue our journey along the Music Highway through Knoxville to Pigeon Forge. This area of the Smoky Mountains is kind of a “new Branson,” with lots of theatres and family entertainment offered. It’s a fun place and everybody has to eat, right? Well, no visit to Pigeon Forge is complete without dining at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant! Tennessee southern cuisine at its finest is generously served homestyle in comfortable farmhouse surroundings. Before our evening event we will check into our lovely and welcoming accommodations at The Music Road Inn. (Appropriately named!) Our highly entertaining show this evening at the Smoky Mountain Opry is a challenge to adequately describe. Amazingly talented singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, acrobats, impressionist, musicians, lighting and much more fills the stage for two full hours of pure delight!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: The Music Road Inn
Day 9 – Pigeon Forge to Renfro Valley, KY
This tour has it all! Even a morning show! How about that? The Smith Family Morning Show has become a Smoky Mountain favorite over the years as Charlie Bob Smith blends together perfect harmonies of Pop, Country, Gospel and Oldies. This mid-morning 90 minute show intertwined with side splitting humor will get our day off to a great start. Next we’ll make a relatively short 2-1/2 hour trek to Renfro Valley, proudly proclaimed as The Music Capital of Kentucky. This inviting and compelling place is tucked in the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky. It feels just like coming home! No hustle and bustle or big bright lights, just down home genuinely friendly folks! But don’t let the “homey” fool you! These world class musicians just choose to stay here! Another homestyle meal? We can handle that! Served right at The Lodge in the Valley. Our comfortable, cozy accommodations are at the National Heritage Inn. This evening, per our request, we will be treated with a special show of Legends, Classics and 50’s style music at the New Barn Theatre.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: National Heritage Inn
Day 10 – Renfro Valley to Shipshewana, IN
Breakfast at the hotel in our pleasant rural setting will fit us for a mostly travel day as we journey to Shipshewana, IN. We’ll make convenient stops along the way for coffee and lunch, and if our timing allows, we can get a “sneak peek” of Noah’s Ark Encounter, America’s newest amazing attraction. Shipshewana is an inviting village, the heart of one of the country’s largest Amish communities. Small, modest and rural, just like our stop the day before, it surprises you with its flair, quality and big time offerings. We are staying at the spacious and comfortable Blue Gate Garden Inn featuring its own big time breakfast as well. An Amish family style dinner is served at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery. We are keeping our first rate show for tonight a mystery, just to add a little intrigue to the mix. No disappointments we assure you. The show is at (where else?) the Blue Gate Theatre!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: The Blue Gate Garden Inn
Day 11 – Shipshewana to Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Big Time Breakfast?!! You agree? We’ll have some leisurely time this morning to experience some Amish shopping as well as a buggy tour of Shipshewana, on us, if you so desire. Find a place to grab some lunch before we part town and head off to the big city. Take in the Broadway production of “Chicago” (how fitting!) at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, a Premier Dinner Theatre and one of the finest in the country. The ambience is splendid and their performances are second to none. Our beautiful accommodations for our final night on the road is the lovely Hilton Garden Inn just a few steps from the theatre!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Show
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn
Day 12 – Oakbrook Terrace to Home
The Hilton always provides a great hot breakfast to prepare us for our journey home. We are probably satisfyingly exhausted as we wind down from this Music Road Adventure. What a trip! One we will never forget and likely never duplicate!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
21 Meals & 1 Manager’s Receptions, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Memphis & Nashville Tours
Historic Theatres
Eleven Great Shows
Rock ‘n Soul Museum
Elvis’s Graceland
Stax Museum
Showboat Cruise
Beale Street
Sun Studio
Grand Ole Opry Show
Ryman Auditorium
Backstage Tours
Studio Tour
“The Sound of Music” at the Memphis Orpheum
Country Music Hall of Fame
George Jones Museum
Johnny Cash Museum
Fontanel (Barbara Mandrel)
Budding Artists Show
Music Row
Memphis BBQ
Shipshewana Blue Gate Theatre
Broadway production of “Chicago” at the incredible Drury Lane Dinner Theatre
Clean Comedy
Wonderful Accommodations
Gaylord Opryland Resort
Classic Dining
Tour Bonus: Springtime in the Ozarks, Tennessee, Smoky Mountains and Kentucky.