Welcome to the ultimate Mid-South discovery tour, a masterfully curated 14-night self-drive expedition that seamlessly bridges the dramatic natural terrain of Arkansas with the legendary musical heritage of Tennessee.
Beginning your journey by flying into the bustling hub of Dallas, Texas, for a quick one-night introduction, you will immediately set your sights northeastward to uncover the hidden gems of the Natural State. Over your next seven nights, Arkansas will captivate you with its astonishing geographical transitions, taking you from the historic thermal bathhouses of Hot Springs National Park and the vibrant political landmarks of Little Rock to the stunning, winding mountain gaps and artistic enclaves of the Ozark Mountains. On day nine, your journey crosses the mighty Mississippi River to enter the musical heart of Tennessee for your final seven nights. Here, the landscape transforms into a rolling canvas of limestone hills and ancient ridges, perfectly mirroring the shift in rhythm as you trace the evolution of American music from the raw delta blues and rock 'n' roll grits of Memphis to the global country music empire of Nashville. Packed with diverse culinary highlights—from authentic Ozark trail food to slow-smoked barbecue and fiery hot chicken—this open-road adventure offers an uncompromised encounter with the raw soul, deep history, and timeless hospitality of the American South.
Dallas - Hot Springs - Little Rock - Eureka Springs - Mountain View - Memphis - Nashville - Chattanooga - Gatlinburg
Day 1: Arrival in the Lone Star State
Welcome to Texas. After landing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, check into you hotel located in the modern downtown core of Dallas. Spend your afternoon/evening wandering the vibrant Dallas Arts District, the largest contiguous urban arts district in the country, or visit Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum to engage with the profound history surrounding the legacy of President John F. Kennedy. As evening approaches, catch a spectacular view of the city skyline from the geodesic dome of Reunion Tower. Cap off your opening night by diving directly into legendary Lone Star culinary traditions. Seek out an authentic local smokehouse to indulge in a massive plate of slow-smoked Texas brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausage, and classic pit beans. The bold, cosmopolitan energy of Dallas offers a fantastic, high-energy launchpad for the road trip ahead. Rest up comfortably tonight, because tomorrow morning you will leave the Texas high-rises behind and cross state lines into the dense forest wilderness of Arkansas.
1 Night in Dallas, Texas @ Canvas Hotel, Room Only
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Day 2: Into the Natural State & Thermal Waters (295 miles)
Check out early this morning, pick up your rental car and head northeast out of the sprawling Texas metroplex along Interstate 30. Watch the flat Texas plains slowly transition into the dense, pine-covered ridges of southwest Arkansas as you make your way toward the beautiful Ouachita Mountains. Arrive in the afternoon in the historic spa town of Hot Springs, famously built around natural thermal springs. Check into your hotel and immediately head down to explore the elegant architectures of Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark. Stroll along the scenic Grand Promenade, where you can see the warmth rising from the steaming, open thermal pools cascading down the green hillside. For dinner, settle into a beautifully restored historic tavern to enjoy classic Southern microbrews and hearty regional comfort food like slow-simmered pot roast or chicken-fried steak. The atmosphere here seamlessly blends the vintage charm of a Gilded Age resort town with rugged mountain surroundings, making it the perfect sanctuary to rest your legs after a long day of transcontinental travel and driving.
2 Nights in Hot Springs, Arkansas @ The Reserve at Hot Springs, Inc Breakfast
Day 3: Botanical Gardens & Mountain Towers
Fuel up on a traditional Southern skillet breakfast before dedicating your day to the magnificent natural beauty surrounding Hot Springs. Drive a few miles south to visit Garvan Woodland Gardens, a spectacular 210-acre botanical garden perched elegantly on the shores of Lake Hamilton. Spend your morning walking along the peaceful canopy paths, exploring the dynamic Anthony Chapel—a breathtaking glass-and-wood architectural masterpiece soaring into the pine trees—and viewing the vibrant local flora. In the afternoon, return to the national park to navigate the winding roads up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Ride the elevator to the observation deck, standing 216 feet above the forest floor, to enjoy panoramic views stretching across the Ouachita Mountains and the historic town below. Later, experience the town's thermal heritage firsthand by booking a relaxing, traditional mineral soak at Buckstaff Bathhouse or Quapaw Baths. Conclude your evening with casual dining at a local wood-fired kitchen downtown, sampling fresh local trout and artisanal flatbreads, fully absorbing the peaceful, therapeutic rhythm of this mountain resort before moving on to the state capital tomorrow morning.
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Day 4: State Capitol Landmarks & The River Market (55 miles)
Check out of your hotel this morning and make the comfortable, short drive northeast along Interstate 30 to Little Rock, the dynamic capital city of Arkansas located on the banks of the Arkansas River. Head straight to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, a striking, modern cantilevered building overlooking the river park. Spend your afternoon exploring the extensive museum exhibits, checking out the exact replica of the Oval Office, and interacting with massive historical timelines documenting the 1990s. Afterward, take a short drive to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site to engage with the profound history of the Civil Rights Movement and the courageous legacy of the Little Rock Nine. By late afternoon, stroll down to the bustling River Market District, a vibrant riverside pavilion filled with unique boutiques, cultural exhibits, and international food stalls. For dinner, treat yourself to sophisticated, contemporary Southern cuisine at a refined restaurant in the historic MacArthur Park neighborhood, cultural markers like delta tamales, braised pork belly, and pecan pies before tomorrow's mountain journey.
1 Night in Little Rock, Arkansas @ AC Hotel by Marriott Little Rock Downtown, Room Only
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Day 5: Scenic Highway 7 to Victorian Eureka Springs (175 miles)
Depart Little Rock early this morning, charting a course northwest into the spectacular crags of the Ozark Mountains along the legendary Scenic Highway 7. This winding asphalt ribbon slices through some of the most rugged, untouched wilderness in the American interior, offering dramatic mountain vistas, deep gorges, and pristine river valleys. Stop for a rustic lunch at a cliffside diner overlooking the grand canyons of the Buffalo National River ecosystem. By afternoon, arrive in Eureka Springs, a whimsical, beautifully preserved Victorian village nestled entirely in a steep mountain valley. The town is famous for its steep, winding streets lined with colorful, multi-story gingerbread-style homes and independent art spaces, with no two streets intersecting at right angles. Check into your historic hotel and spend your afternoon wandering the steep stone steps of the downtown core, browsing local pottery shops and crystal galleries. Settle into a romantic, subterranean cellar restaurant for dinner, enjoying elevated European-inspired dishes or upscale American bistro fare surrounded by natural mountain stone walls.
2 Nights in Eureka Springs, Arkansas @ The Crescent Hotel and Spa, Room Only
Day 6: World-Class Art in the Ozarks Wilderness
Fuel up on local fair-trade coffee before embarking on a short, scenic drive west through the mountain gaps to Bentonville, a booming town in northwest Arkansas that blends corporate innovation with spectacular art culture. Dedicate your day to exploring Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a world-class institution founded by the Walton family. The museum's spectacular architecture, designed by Moshe Safdie, features a series of pavilions nestled elegantly over natural, spring-fed ponds tucked into a 120-acre Ozark forest. Spend your day wandering through extensive galleries showcasing masterworks of American art spanning from the colonial era to contemporary installations, and explore the outdoor sculpture trails winding through the trees. Visit the preserved Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House reconstructed right on the property. In the late afternoon, explore the bustling, historic Bentonville City Square, grabbing an ice cream cone at the original Walton's 5&10 museum. Return to Eureka Springs in the evening to dine at an upscale local kitchen, enjoying locally sourced game or fresh mountain vegetables while looking out over the illuminated historic valley.
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Day 7: Ozark Folk Culture & Mountain View (115 miles)
Check out of your Victorian retreat and drive east along Highway 62, winding through the heart of the Ozarks to Mountain View, a town officially designated as the Folk Music Capital of the World. Arrive by midday and visit the Ozark Folk Center State Park, a unique living-history facility dedicated to preserving traditional Appalachian mountain crafts, music, and heritage. Spend your afternoon interacting with master blacksmiths, weavers, and woodcarvers, and listen to the authentic strains of clawhammer banjos and acoustic fiddles echoing from the open-air performing pavilions. If time permits, take a short drive to view the stunning cave formations at Blanchard Springs Caverns or take a peaceful stroll along the wild waters of the White River. In the evening, head down to the historic Mountain View town square to witness the famous local custom of casual "pickin' porches," where local musicians gather spontaneously on the courthouse lawns to jam old-time folk and bluegrass tunes. Settle into a rustic local lodge diner for a comforting, home-style meal of pan-fried catfish, cornbread, and apple cobbler.
1 Night in Mountain View, Arkansas @ Wildflower Bed & Breakfast On the Square, Inc Breakfast
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Day 8: Crossing the Mississippi to Beale Street Neon (170 miles)
Say goodbye to the quiet hills of Arkansas this morning as you drive east, watching the mountains flatten into the agricultural wetlands of the Mississippi Delta. Cross the grand bridge over the mighty Mississippi River to enter the state of Tennessee, landing directly in Memphis, the gritty, soulful birthplace of rock 'n' roll and delta blues. Check into your downtown hotel and head straight to Beale Street, an iconic musical corridor officially designated as the Home of the Blues. Spend your afternoon exploring the historic brick facades and browsing vintage vinyl shops. Take a relaxing walk down to Tom Lee Park on the riverfront to watch a spectacular sunset over the massive muddy currents of the Mississippi. Cap off your opening night in Tennessee by diving headfirst into the city's world-famous culinary scene. Head down a historic downtown alleyway to find Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, where you will indulge in a massive rack of charcoal-ribs heavily coated in their signature dry-rub seasoning, soaking in the live blues guitar pouring out of every club.
2 Nights in Memphis, Tennessee @ Westin Memphis, Room Only
Day 9: Graceland & The Icons of Rock 'n' Roll
Fuel up on a traditional breakfast before dedicating your day to exploring the absolute crown jewels of global rock history. Drive just south of downtown to visit Graceland, the sprawling 13-acre estate and permanent sanctuary of Elvis Presley. Armed with an interactive iPad audio tour, spend your morning walking through the mansion's preserved mid-century rooms, viewing the legendary Jungle Room, the trophy building packed with gold records, and paying your respects in the peaceful Meditation Garden. In the afternoon, navigate back to the city centre to stand inside Sun Studio, the hallowed recording space where Sam Phillips discovered Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Touch the historic microphones that shaped the global birth of rock music. Later, make a deeply moving visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the historic Lorraine Motel, to engage with the profound history of the American Civil Rights Movement. Conclude your evening with casual dining at a local juke joint, sampling slow-smoked pulled pork shoulder at Central BBQ while listening to local blues guitarists.
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Day 10: The Music Highway to Nashville's Honky-Tonks (212 miles)
Check out of your hotel and chart a path eastward along Interstate 40, a stretch of asphalt officially designated as the Music Highway. Watch the flat plains of West Tennessee slowly transition into the lush, rolling limestone hills of Middle Tennessee. Arrive in Nashville, the global capital of country music, by mid-afternoon and check into your downtown accommodation. Head straight to Lower Broadway, a dazzling neon canyon filled with multi-story honky-tonks hosting incredible live bands from noon until the early hours of the morning. Walk the nearby pedestrian John Seigenthaler Bridge for a spectacular view of the modern city skyline rising over the Cumberland River. For dinner, challenge your taste buds by trying Nashville's most famous culinary export: hot chicken. Visit a local institution like Hattie B's to savor crispy fried chicken deeply infused with fiery cayenne pepper, served traditionally over white bread with pickle slices. Spend your evening hopping between legendary venues like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge or Robert's Western World, soaking in the virtuosic musicianship that defines the city's everyday soundtrack.
2 Nights in Nashville, Tennessee @ Holston House, Room Only
Day 11: The Mother Church & Country Music Royalty
Leave your car keys behind today, as Nashville’s dense historic core is incredibly walkable and best explored on foot. Begin your morning with a pilgrimage to the Ryman Auditorium, affectionately known as the "Mother Church of Country Music." Take a guided tour of this historic 1892 red-brick tabernacle to stand on the legendary oak stage where the Grand Ole Opry was broadcast for decades and where bluegrass was officially born. Afterward, walk over to the massive Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to explore miles of galleries containing vintage instruments, sparkling stage costumes, and historic automobiles owned by country music royalty. In the afternoon, stroll through the trendy Gulch district to view vibrant street murals or head over to Centennial Park to marvel at the world's only full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon. For dinner, treat yourself to a contemporary Southern meal at an upscale kitchen in the historic Germantown neighborhood, savoring creative dishes like sorghum-glazed pork belly or local trout. Cap off your evening by securing tickets to an intimate acoustic songwriters' showcase at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe.
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Day 12: Lynchburg Sipping to Lookout Mountain (165 miles)
Depart Nashville this morning, driving southeast toward the scenic mountain ridges of East Tennessee. Take a beautiful detour through the rolling hills of Moore County to stop in the tiny town of Lynchburg, home to the historic Jack Daniel Distillery. Take a guided walking tour of America's oldest registered distillery to learn how the famous Tennessee whiskey is mellowed drop-by-drop through sugar maple charcoal before aging in charred oak barrels. Afterward, continue your drive southeast into Chattanooga, a spectacular city nestled tightly along a massive bend of the Tennessee River. Spend your afternoon high atop Lookout Mountain, located right on the edge of the city limits. Walk through the dramatic rock formations at Rock City Gardens to stand on a cliffside ledge where you can view seven different states on a clear day, then view the subterranean waterfall at Ruby Falls. In the evening, head down to the revitalized North Shore district to walk across the historic Walnut Street Bridge. Dine at a trendy riverside bistro, enjoying fresh trout while watching the river currents slip past.
1 Night in Chattanooga, Tennessee @ The Read House, Room Only
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Day 13: River Aquarium to the Gateway of the Smokies (145 miles)
Spend your morning exploring downtown Chattanooga's award-winning riverfront, starting with a visit to the spectacular Tennessee Aquarium. This world-class facility features two massive glass buildings that track the journey of water from high mountain streams all the way down to the deep ocean, showcasing giant river sturgeon, playful otters, and native freshwater species. By midday, check out of your hotel and turn your vehicle northeast, driving past the shimmering waters of Watts Bar Lake and heading toward the massive, ancient ridges of the Appalachian range. Your destination is Gatlinburg, a bustling mountain resort town that serves as the primary southern gateway into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your mountain lodge or cabin accommodation. Spend your evening strolling along the lively Gatlinburg Parkway, sampling local Appalachian moonshine flavors like blackberry or apple pie at a historic distillery, and enjoying a hearty mountain dinner of smoked trout and cornbread overlooking a rushing mountain stream.
2 Nights in Gatlinburgh, Tennessee @ Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, Room Only
Day 14: Majestic Wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains
Dedicate your day to exploring the breathtaking, misty wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the country. Wake up early to beat the crowds and drive along the scenic loop road through Cades Cove, a lush, isolated mountain valley surrounded by massive peaks and dotted with historic 19th-century log cabins and pioneer churches. This area offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the region; keep your eyes peeled for native white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and wild black bears roaming the open meadows. Spend your afternoon navigating the spectacular Newfound Gap Road, driving high up into the clouds to reach the summit spur of Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi). Walk the steep pathway to the elevated observation tower to stand at the highest point in Tennessee, enjoying miles of panoramic views across endless waves of blue, mist-shrouded mountain ridges. Return to Gatlinburg for your evening to relax by the stone fireplace at your lodge, enjoying a hearty meal of wood-fired steaks and pan-fried rainbow trout.
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Day 15: Final Departure (225 miles)
Check out of your mountain retreat and turn your vehicle back west along Interstate 40, completing your grand loop across the state to return to Nashville for your final departure. Arrive by early afternoon and make your way northeast of downtown to the Grand Ole Opry House. Take a fascinating behind-the-scenes backstage tour of the dressing rooms and stand inside the famous wooden circle cut directly from the original Ryman stage. After soaking in the history of country music's ultimate stage, drive directly to Nashville International Airport (BNA) to drop off your rental vehicle and catch your flight home, concluding a magnificent, comprehensive 14-night exploration of the deep history, raw music institutions, and unmatched natural landscapes of Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
TOUR COST
All 'from' prices quoted below are per adult person, per package in £ GBP
The exact cost of the tour will depend on the date of travel and the availability at the time you book.
Your holiday includes:
Return flights into Dallas and return from Nashville
14 Nights accommodation as above including all taxes
Breakfast as stated above
Car hire including all taxes, fees, unlimited mileage and breakdown cover.
October - March = From £2,099 per person based on 2 adults sharing
June - September = From £2,699 per person based on 2 adults sharing
Pre, post or extra nights
Pre, post & extra nights within the itinerary are available to be added to this tour, please let us know at time of booking if you would like to extend your stay anywhere and we will be happy to quote the extra nights.
