{"id":9061,"date":"2022-11-14T13:06:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T13:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paramountcruises.com\/blog\/?p=9061"},"modified":"2025-11-21T11:21:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T11:21:02","slug":"2026-mardi-gras-parades-music-cities-excursions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paramountcruises.com\/blog\/2026-mardi-gras-parades-music-cities-excursions\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Mardi Gras Parades & Music Cities Excursions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nashville Tours & Entry Tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour – \u00a340pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Sunday 8th or Monday 9th February<\/em> – 9:00 am \u2013 4:00 pm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump onboard the Old Town Trolley<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Country Music Hall of Fame & RCA Studio B – \u00a340pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Sunday 8th or Monday 9th February<\/em> – 09:30<\/em> am<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Go behind the scenes at Nashville’s RCA Studio B<\/strong>. Hear stories of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and many more during a guided tour. Next, explore the Country Music Hall of Fame<\/strong>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nashville Attractions You Don’t Need to Pre-Book<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Museum of African American Music<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryman Auditorium<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moonshine Tasting @ 6th & Peabody<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memphis Tours & Entry Tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Mojo Sun Studio + Music History 3-Hour Bus Tour<\/strong> – \u00a355pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Wednesday 11th February – 10:00 am – 13:00 pm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On this tour, you\u2019ll go behind the scenes with a guided tour of Sun Studio, where so many legends launched their careers. Along the way you\u2019ll 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\u2019s 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\u2019 greatest hits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paramount Cruises <\/strong><\/em>Past Guest Favourite<\/em><\/strong>
In previous years, this tour \/ ticket always sells out.<\/em><\/mark><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Memphis Ghost Tour \u2013 \u00a320pp<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Wednesday 11th February – 20:00 pm<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond the rhythms of Beale Street\u2019s blues lies a darker history of vice, voodoo, phantoms, ghosts and lost souls. Hear the eerie legends while seeing some of Memphis\u2019 oldest sites. On this two-hour walking tour, you\u2019ll see the notorious Ernestine & Hazel\u2019s<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>, home of \u201cMary,\u201d who has haunted performances since 192, plus the John Alexander Austin House<\/strong>, a Victorian-era mansion haunted by star-crossed lovers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Memphis Attractions You Don’t Need to Pre-Book<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memphis Civil Rights Museum<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Peabody Ducks<\/strong> – Free<\/em><\/strong>
Possibly the most famous ducks in the USA. As you step inside the Peabody Hotel in Memphis you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll 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\u2019t on duty you can visit their \u201cpalace\u201d on the rooftop, you\u2019ll also get great views over the city so make sure to take the elevator to the top floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans Tours & Entry Tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honey Island Swamp & Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation – \u00a355pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Friday 13th or Saturday February 14th – 10:00 am<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A short walk from your hotel you will be picked up and driven to the Honey Island Swamp<\/strong>, one of Louisiana\u2019s last preserved wetlands where you will board the custom\u2010made, open\u2010air 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mardi Gras Parade Grandstand Ticket – \u00a360pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Only Available Friday 13th February<\/em> – 17:30 pm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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 Hermes, d’Etat, <\/strong>and Morpheus <\/strong>on the evening of Friday 13th 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paramount Cruises <\/strong><\/em>Past Guest Favourite<\/em><\/strong>
In previous years, this tour \/ ticket always sells out.<\/em><\/mark><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Steamboat Jazz Cruise – \u00a340pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Friday 13th February<\/em> – 11:00 am<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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<\/strong>, you can sit back, relax and soak up the New Orleans atmosphere as smooth jazz fills your ears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Steamboat Jazz Cruise<\/strong><\/strong> – \u00a340pp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Available Saturday 14th February – 11:00 am<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also available on Saturday, 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<\/strong>, you can sit back, relax and soak up the New Orleans atmosphere as smooth jazz fills your ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paramount Cruises <\/strong><\/em>Past Guest Favourite<\/em><\/strong>
In previous years, this tour \/ ticket always sells out.<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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New Orleans Attractions You Don’t Need to Pre-Book<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a few 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National WWII Museum<\/strong>
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\u2019s top attraction. Set across 5 buildings, the museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world \u2013 why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1<\/strong> Tour<\/strong>
Step beyond the iron gates of New Orleans\u2019 most well-known cemetery and discover the charming and moving stories etched into each stone. Take a walk through New Orleans\u2019 past when you visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Discover the tombs of famous residents, get up close and personal with the city\u2019s unique above-ground burial structures, and learn interesting historical facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book Your<\/strong> Paramount Cruises Excursion Today<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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