Melodies of Branson, Nashville & Memphis

Day 1 : Fly to Springfield

Today, arrive in Springfield, Missouri, the “Birthplace of Route 66.” We check in to our hotel and start to get in the spirit of the Mid-South.

Day 2 : Branson

After breakfast, we depart for Branson, beginning the morning with a tour of the College of the Ozarks where you'll get a sense of its unique intersection between faith and the liberal arts that permeates this part of the country. Appreciate the beauty of the campus including its towering chapel and quaint walkways. Dubbed “Hard Work U” by The Wall Street Journal, students work for their tuition and are not allowed to take out loans for their education. Enjoy lunch on your own at Branson Landing, choosing from a wide selection of restaurants while strolling its scenic boardwalk along Lake Taneycomo. In the evening, we start our musical adventures with a Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner four-course Southern feast followed by Dolly Parton’s Stampede, an exciting variety show featuring music, live animals, comedy, and pyrotechnics.

Day 3 : Heartland Entertainment

You have the morning and midafternoon to explore Branson or simply relax. Visit the Titanic Museum, home to the largest collection of artifacts from the original ship. You may marvel at the massive Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery that raises over 350,000 pounds of brown and rainbow trout each year, or get lost in nostalgia at the World’s Largest Toy Museum. Later we board the Branson Belle for a cruise on Table Rock Lake with dinner and a high-energy song and dance show featuring classic hits from famous musicians and musical theatre productions.

Day 4 : Memphis

Today say goodbye to Branson as we make our way through the heartland on a drive to Memphis where we stay for two nights. Upon arrival we visit the Rock 'n' Soul Museum that tells the story of soul music, from the fields of sharecroppers to the tops of popular music charts. Spend the night relaxing and resting up for an active day to follow.

Day 5 : Graceland

Get ready to explore home of “The King of Rock” himself, Elvis Presley. Graceland is considered the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll for this reason. We take a Graceland tour that will tickle your imagination as you consider how Elvis purchased the 10,266-square-foot mansion on the 14-acre property when he was only 22 years old. There is also a museum and exhibition center where you can see his famed jumpsuits, film memorabilia, platinum and gold records, and interactive exhibits. Enjoy lunch on own at Graceland, plus ice cream and candy from Minnie Mae's Sweets.

Day 6 : Arrive in Nashville

Before we head to Nashville we pay a visit to one more site in Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum, where we learn about and reflect on the history of civil rights in our country. The exhibits trace a comprehensive history of the American Civil Rights Movement from the 17th century to present. Once the Lorraine Motel, the museum site is precisely where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 after giving his powerfully faithful and controversial “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. After, we stop for a lunch break on your own in Jackson, the city made famous by the Johnny Cash and June Carter country hit single. Before we arrive in Nashville, we visit Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills for a down-home country welcome. At the ranch, experience “Western Town” which sits upon the historic Grist Mill waterfall. Here, you may explore the various museums and gift shops while also soaking up the classic country vibes on a massive deck overlooking the waterfall and Hurricane Creek.

Day 7 : Country Music Hall of Fame

Start the day with a savory breakfast before we go on a Nashville city tour followed by an included lunch. After, we visit the Country Music Hall of Fame where we celebrate the rich musical genre with digital archives and collections including Bob Pinson Recorded Sound, Photograph, Oral History, Moving Image, and Objects. The collections contain 98% of all pre-WWII country recordings and hundreds of interviews with songwriters, recording artists, and performers as well as stage costumes, microphones, and much more that documents and honors the history of country music. Later, enjoy free time and dinner on your own, perhaps venturing out to experience some Nashville local favorites like its famed hot chicken, fried catfish, and regionally-specific style of barbecue.

Day 8 : Ryman Auditorium

This morning, we begin at the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery to learn the story of this mansion and museum. After lunch take part in a tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium. The Grand Ole Opry put down roots at the Ryman in 1943 when live TV and radio was sweeping the country. We conclude with a farewell dinner and live show at the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater.

Day 9 : Fly Home

Arrive home with whimsical memories of our time in the heartland.