Rhythm, blues & small-batch bourbon
Rhythm, blues & small-batch bourbon
Memphis, TN 38116Louisville, KY 40206
Trip overview
Embark on a musical and spirited pilgrimage from the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and the neon-lit honky-tonks of Tennessee to the rolling bluegrass hills and legendary bourbon distilleries of Kentucky.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Memphis
Graceland
The legendary mansion of Elvis Presley, offering an intimate and lavish look into the life and career of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116
Sun Studio
The 'Birthplace of Rock'n'Roll' where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their pioneering tracks.
706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Central BBQ - Downtown
Indulge in Memphis-style dry rub ribs and slow-smoked pulled pork at this local institution.
147 Butler Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
The Peabody Memphis
A historic luxury hotel famous for its daily Peabody Duck March and timeless Southern elegance.
149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Day 2 — Memphis
National Civil Rights Museum
Located at the historic Lorraine Motel, this museum offers an immersive and deeply moving look at the American Civil Rights Movement.
450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack South
The gold standard of Nashville hot chicken, serving up fiery, perfectly spiced poultry that started the global craze.
5814 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Robert's Western World
A classic Broadway honky-tonk featuring phenomenal live traditional country music, cold beers, and their famous fried bologna sandwiches.
416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Union Station Nashville Yards
A stunning 19th-century Neo-Romanesque train station beautifully transformed into a luxury boutique hotel.
1001 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Day 3 — Nashville
Ryman Auditorium
Known as the 'Mother Church of Country Music', this historic tabernacle boasts incomparable acoustics and immense musical legacy.
116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Protecting and showcasing the rich history and traditions of country music through stunning exhibits and artifacts.
222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
Arnold's Country Kitchen
An award-winning 'meat & three' cafeteria serving up soul-warming Southern staples like roast beef and mac & cheese.
605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
The Station Inn
An intimate, unpretentious venue in the Gulch neighborhood, widely regarded as the world's premier home for bluegrass music.
402 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Day 4 — Loretto
Maker's Mark Distillery
Tour the picturesque, red-shuttered Star Hill Farm and try your hand at dipping their iconic square-shaped bottle in red sealing wax.
3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY 40037
Wallace Station Loafers & Legends
A charming country store cafe nestled in horse country, famous for its Kentucky Hot Brown and massive, fresh sandwiches.
3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, KY 40383
Keeneland Association Inc
A pristine National Historic Landmark featuring lush grounds, stone stables, and world-class thoroughbred racing and auctions.
4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40510
21c Museum Hotel Lexington
A highly unique boutique hotel that doubles as a contemporary art museum, housed inside a historic bank building downtown.
167 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507
Day 5 — Versailles
Woodford Reserve Distillery
Nestled among rolling hills, this historic distillery features copper pot stills, cypress wood fermenters, and a legendary bourbon-making legacy.
7785 McCracken Pike, Versailles, KY 40383
Churchill Downs
The historic home of the Kentucky Derby, complete with its famous twin spires and the adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum.
700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Hammerheads
A hip, subterranean gastropub in Germantown known for spectacular duck fat fries, smoked sliders, and a cozy atmosphere.
927 Swan St, Louisville, KY 40204
The Brown Hotel
An opulent, historic hotel in downtown Louisville, famous as the birthplace of the decadent 'Hot Brown' open-faced turkey sandwich.
335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
Day 6 — Louisville
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Walk through the factory where iconic baseball bats are forged, and marvel at the 120-foot-tall replica bat towering over the entrance.
800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
An interactive artisanal distillery located right on Louisville's historic 'Whiskey Row', celebrating Kentucky's first commercial distiller.
528 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Feast BBQ
Savor incredible smoked brisket, pork cakes, and frozen bourbon slushies in the trendy NuLu neighborhood.
909 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Experiences
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Bluegrass & Blues road trip covers about 578 mi and roughly 10h 41m of driving, comfortably spread across about 6 days.
This itinerary maps out 23 stops from Memphis, TN 38116 to Louisville, KY 40206. Highlights include Graceland, Sun Studio, and Ryman Auditorium.
It begins in Memphis, TN 38116 and ends in Louisville, KY 40206, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $2,161, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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