You’ll soon realise why we love Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans so much. Whether it is the incredible live music, or delicious food options, these 3 Southern cities have so much to offer, so in order that you can plan your trip in advance we’ve put together a selection of our favourite tours for you to pre-book if you wish to. Simply fill in the form at the bottom of this page and we’ll add these tours to your booking and send through an updated booking confirmation.
New Orleans Tours & Entry Tickets
Visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, however, it is also important to plan your trip in advance as most attractions are closed on Fat Tuesday meaning many activities sell out well in advance. Sunday, your disembarkation day is one of the best days to plan an excursion. Whether you’re looking to explore the bayous and swamps on a boat tour, or enjoy a steamboat jazz cruise along the Mississippi, we’d highly recommend booking as soon as possible.
Honey Island Swamp & Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation – £55pp
Available Sunday 15th or Monday February 16th – 10:00 am
A short walk from your hotel you will be picked up and driven to the Honey Island Swamp, one of Louisiana’s last preserved wetlands where you will board the custom‐made, open‐air boat and set off on your swam adventure. Admire the view as the boat quietly winds through narrow swamp passages and brings you closer to native wildlife. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and the chance to sport various wild animals, including alligators, owls, raccoons, snakes, black bears, bald eagles, and wild boar.
Mardi Gras Parade Grandstand Ticket – £60pp
Only Available Sunday 15th February – 11:00 am
If you’re looking for some of the best views of the parades and potentially, some of the best trinkets tossed out by riders, then you’ll want to book your place on one of the grandstands located on Lafayette Square. Tickets will be valid for the parades of the Krewes of Okeanos, Mid-City, and Thoth on the morning of Sunday 15th February. Just a short walk away from your hotel the grandstands provide a comfortable location from which to watch the parades, the perfect option for those looking to experience their first ever Mardi Gras parade.
Paramount Cruises Past Guest Favourite
In previous years, this tour / ticket always sells out.
Steamboat Jazz Cruise – £40pp
Only Available Sunday 15th February – 11:00 am
One of our guests’ favourite activities in New Orleans. This two-hour Mississippi River cruise sets sail from the heart of the French Quarter and shows you why the city was founded on the beautiful crescent of the lower Mississippi River. From onboard the only surviving authentic steamboat in New Orleans, The Natchez, you can sit back, relax and soak up the New Orleans atmosphere as smooth jazz fills your ears.
Steamboat Lundi Gras Jazz Cruise – £40pp
Only Available Monday 16th February – 11:00 am
Also available on Monday, this two-hour Mississippi River cruise sets sail from the heart of the French Quarter and shows you why the city was founded on the beautiful crescent of the lower Mississippi River. From onboard the only surviving authentic steamboat in New Orleans, The Natchez, you can sit back, relax and soak up the New Orleans atmosphere as smooth jazz fills your ears.
Paramount Cruises Past Guest Favourite
In previous years, this tour / ticket always sells out.
New Orleans Attractions You Don’t Need to Pre-Book
There are a few of attractions in New Orleans we’d highly recommend checking out, which don’t require you to pre-book far in advance. Here are some of our favourites:
The National WWII Museum
Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, the National WWII Museum is just a short walk from your hotel and ranks as the city’s top attraction. Set across 5 buildings, the museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Tour
Step beyond the iron gates of New Orleans’ most well-known cemetery and discover the charming and moving stories etched into each stone. Take a walk through New Orleans’ past when you visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Discover the tombs of famous residents, get up close and personal with the city’s unique above-ground burial structures, and learn interesting historical facts.
Memphis Tours & Entry Tickets
If you haven’t already pre-booked your Graceland transfer tour for Friday 20th February you can still do so by clicking the following link: Graceland Transfer Tour Request
Big Mojo Sun Studio + Music History 3-Hour Bus Tour – £55pp
Available Thursday 19th February – 10:00 am – 13:00 pm
On this tour, you’ll go behind the scenes with a guided tour of Sun Studio, where so many legends launched their careers. Along the way you’ll see such other famous landmarks as Beale Street, Stax Studio, the Lorraine Motel, Cotton Row, Peabody Hotel, Overton Park, and the early homes of Elvis and B.B. King. It’s no accident that legends like Elvis, Johnny Cash, BB King and Otis Redding all got their start in the city known as the Home of the Blues: find out how it all went down on this entertaining tour of Memphis’ greatest hits.
Paramount Cruises Past Guest Favourite
In previous years, this tour / ticket always sells out.
Memphis Ghost Tour – £20pp
Available Thursday 19th February – 20:00 pm
Beyond the rhythms of Beale Street’s blues lies a darker history of vice, voodoo, phantoms, ghosts and lost souls. Hear the eerie legends while seeing some of Memphis’ oldest sites. On this two-hour walking tour, you’ll see the notorious Ernestine & Hazel’s, a former brothel long recognised as one of the most haunted buildings in Memphis, home to several ghosts as well as a haunted jukebox. The Orpheum Theatre, home of “Mary,” who has haunted performances since 192, plus the John Alexander Austin House, a Victorian-era mansion haunted by star-crossed lovers.
Memphis Attractions You Don’t Need to Pre-Book
There are a couple of attractions in Memphis we’d highly recommend checking out, which don’t require you to pre-book. Here are some of our favourites:
Memphis Civil Rights Museum
Located at the historic Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr was tragically shot in 1968, this incredible museum chronicles the history of the American Civil Rights Movement from slavery to the present day through films, oral histories, and interactive displays. An absolute must-visit for anyone in Memphis in our opinion.
The Peabody Ducks – Free
Possibly the most famous ducks in the USA. As you step inside the Peabody Hotel in Memphis you’ll see a fountain in the central lobby which during the day is home to 5 North American mallards, one male and 4 females. If you visit at 11am or 5pm you’ll be able to witness the world-famous duck march. It is worth arriving there 15-20 minutes earlier to get a good view of the elevator and fountain. When the ducks aren’t on duty you can visit their “palace” on the rooftop, you’ll also get great views over the city so make sure to take the elevator to the top floor.
Nashville Tours & Entry Tickets
It would be tempting to spend all day in the various honky tonks located on Lower Broadway, however Nashville has so many attractions to explore. We’d highly recommend the Hop-on Hop-off trolley tour as this will allow you to explore Nashville’s different neighbourhoods. If you’re visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame, don’t forget to pop into the Hatch Show Print shop just around the corner, a perfect place to pick up a Nashville souvenir.
Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour – £40pp
Available Saturday 21st or Sunday 22nd February – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Jump onboard the Old Town Trolley for a fully narrated hop-on hop-off tour of Nashville. Make the most of your day and take one of the first departures after 9am from Lower Broadway and explore Nashville’s most famous sites. There are 13 stops where you can get off and explore including Nashville Farmers’ Market, Union Station Hotel, The Gulch, Centennial Park and our favourite stop Marathon Music Works, where you can visit the Tennessee Legend Distillery and enjoy some free Moonshine tastings.
Country Music Hall of Fame & RCA Studio B – £40pp
Available Saturday 21st or Sunday 22nd February – 09:30 am
Go behind the scenes at Nashville’s RCA Studio B. Hear stories of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and many more during a guided tour. Next, explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, located in the heart of downtown Nashville. Discover an array of photographs, artefacts, text panels, recordings, and archival footage as you move through the museum’s collection. You can even stop by the Taylor Swift Education. Return transportation to RCA Studio B from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is included in the combo ticket.
Grand Ole Opry Show with Transportation – £95pp
Available Saturday 21st only – 18:00 pm
Country music fans won’t want to miss the chance of experiencing the longest-running radio show in US history. The Grand Ole Opry is an iconic experience while in Nashville. Shows take place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at Opry House, located around 20-25 minutes outside of town. Book your tickets with us and receive round-trip transportation from downtown Nashville.
Paramount Cruises Past Guest Favourite
In previous years, this tour / ticket always sells out.
Nashville Attractions You Don’t Need to Pre-Book
There are a few attractions in Nashville we’d highly recommend checking out, which don’t require you to pre-book. Here are some of our favourites:
National Museum of African American Music
Located opposite the Bridgestone Arena, this interactive museum is one of our favourites in town. Opened just a few years ago you’ll explore how this music became the soundtrack of American life, and how the voices of the past continue to resonate today.
Ryman Auditorium
The original home of the Grand Ole Opry, this iconic venue in the heart of Nashville is certainly worth a visit. If you want to take part in a backstage or VIP tour, you’ll need to pre-book, however self-guided tours run throughout the day and allow you to discover exclusive memorabilia from iconic artists and even maybe step onto the stage that turns every performer into a living legend.
Moonshine Tasting @ 6th & Peabody
You can’t not visit Nashville without tasting some moonshine! 6th & Peabody is our favourite location (they also serve some great local beers on tap), however, you can also stop off at Marathon Village if you’re on the hop on hop off trolley tour and take part in free tastings at the Tennessee Legend Distillery.
Book Your Paramount Cruises Excursion Today
Please fill in the form below with your requested excursions and they will be added to your booking, you will receive an updated booking confirmation.
Please note all excursions are subject to availability and reconfirmation at the time of booking. Some excursions may be subject to minimum numbers.
