Real Big Apple to Big Easy

Welcome to New York! Your adventure begins in Brooklyn this morning with a welcome meeting at 10 am at your hostel. After leaving your luggage at the hostel, take the subway to the Big Apple. Head out on a leader-led walk through Greenwich Village to the Highline Trail – a former elevated train line reinvented as a lush public park. After some free time for lunch at Chelsea Market, maybe visit the Oculus Memorial and walk over to Wall Street. Walk through Little Italy and Chinatown, then head back to Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge. Tonight, maybe join your group for an optional welcome dinner in one of the trendy spots nearby.

This morning you’ll drive south towards the nation's capital – Washington, DC. Stop at Philadelphia on the way for a quick look at some of the highlights of the Old City, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the 'Rocky' steps – montage, anyone? You’ll have some free time for lunch before continuing to your hostel in Washington. Head out on a leader-led walking tour of the city with your group to orient yourself, then you’re free for dinner – maybe ask your leader for their recommendations on the best local restaurants.

This morning, join your leader for a tour of Washington, DC. The rest of your day is free to explore on your own, so grab a map and ensure you maximise your time in this iconic city. Maybe visit one of the world-class museums here (there are almost 100 to choose from!) – including the National Air and Space Museum, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Natural History and the Newseum. The city is also overflowing with famous monuments and buildings like the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Monument, FDR and Jefferson Memorials. After a day of exploring on foot, maybe reward yourself with a relaxing evening at your accommodation or a local restaurant.

Escape the city grind today and venture into the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains – part of the Appalachian Mountains. Visit the Shenandoah National Park – one of the highest and most scenic portions of the Appalachians. Drive along Skyline Drive, running the length of the park – a famed mountain highway that winds through deep woods and past spectacular vistas. Stop to stretch your legs under the impressive oak trees and admire the gorgeous views (this is the perfect spot for some photos). Look out for deer, elusive black bears, squirrels and the abundant birdlife that call this park their home. Arrive at your cabins for the night and enjoy an evening in the heart of the great outdoors. Share stories with your fellow travellers around the campfire and make s’mores – a traditional nighttime campfire treat in North America – as you look up to the stars.

Head south this morning to the USA’s Country Music Capital – Nashville, Tennessee. When you arrive, join your leader on a short orientation walk through Nashville’s Downtown area, focusing on the bustling entertainment hub of Broadway – a famed strip renowned for the honky tonk bars that offer live music every day of the week! Tonight, join your group for a typical Nashville dinner, including their famed fried chicken – The Nashville Meat and Three. ‘Meat and Three’ serves meats like fried chicken, country ham or meatloaf alongside three side dishes. The Wildhorse Saloon is a great spot in the evening to experience authentic Southern food and live music – you can even learn how to line dance! (D)

Today is a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, which contains the golden Cadillac that once belonged to Elvis or check out some iconic music venues like the Grand Ole Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium. Tonight, maybe ask your leader for some great recommendations for live music venues, bars and the best eats in town – they will know all the good spots to make the most of your night and avoid the tourist traps.

Say goodbye to the glitz of ‘Nashvegas’ this morning as you continue your musical pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll – Memphis, Tennessee. Join your leader on a short walking tour to familiarise yourself with the city when you arrive. You’ll head down bustling Beale Street, where traditional blues clubs and ritzier tourist traps rub shoulders – but don’t worry, your leader will give you the lowdown on which bars are worth a look. The rest of the day is free to explore. If you have time, a must-see in Memphis is Sun Studio – the 'Birthplace of Rock', which boasts the first recordings of legendary performers like Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. For those interested in history, there's the National Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. This evening, why not head out for a famous Memphis-style barbecue?

It’s a long drive today as you head across Mississippi, down in New Orleans – otherwise known as the Big Easy. With a mix of Creole, Cajun and European culture reflected in the city’s architecture, cuisine and music, there’s plenty to explore here. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk of the eclectic French Quarter – the historic heart of the city, famous for its cast-iron balconies and nightlife. Then, enjoy an included Po Boy sandwich picnic at Louis Armstrong Park with your group. The rest of the day is yours to explore – maybe take a walk down rowdy Bourbon Street or check out Frenchman Street's live music venues. (D)

You can join your leader on an optional walk through New Orleans’ historic Garden District this morning or go your own way – the day is free to choose your own adventure! You might want to book a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi River or check out the Voodoo Museum. Why not dig further into the rich and varied flavours that make New Orleans a food-lovers haven on an Urban Adventures French Quarter Food Tour? Or maybe get to grips with the city’s outstanding cocktail culture and sip on your favourite concoctions on the New Orleans Cocktail Tour. Find out more at urbanadventures. com or ask your leader for details.

There are no activities planned today, and your trip comes to an end. If you want to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.