Iconic city streets, deep-fried eats and historic beats
Cut through the heart of the USA on this nine-day Lonely Planet Experience, powered by Intrepid. Travel from iconic city to iconic city as you hit the road from New York to New Orleans, snaking through the Appalachian Mountains via Philadelphia, Washington DC, Nashville and Memphis. This overland odyssey is the perfect introduction to the diverse appeal of the United States. Chow down on a po’boy in the Big Easy, camp in the Appalachian Mountains and check out the Liberty Bell in Philly. Enjoy the organisational expertise of Intrepid, a local leader on hand to offer insider tips at every turn, and the freedom to follow their advice or go your own way.
A powerful partnership
Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel share the same philosophy: we help curious people explore the world.
Experience the natural rolling hills and stunning beauty of the Appalachian Mountains during a night camping in Shenandoah National Park.
Enjoy a full day to explore the USA capital, Washington DC, at your leisure. See the White House, Capitol Hill and the National Mall, and feel small next to the statue of Abraham Lincoln.
Deep fried and deeply delicious – experience the big bold food of the USA. Munch on a po’boy sandwich in New Orleans and eat crispy fried chicken in Memphis.
Finish up your trip with a night in New Orleans, where you can dance the night away with new friends on Bourbon Street.
In each destination your leader will show you around and give you insider tips – but they won’t keep you on a strict sightseeing schedule. This is the land of the free, after all!
This trip involves camping, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!
That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty. This involves pooling your resources (approximately USD 10 per day) to cover the cost of meals. It means we can bulk purchase items and cook our own food – though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional pizza night or s’mores by the campfire! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out to purchase (and cook) your own food.
North America is a world of endless possibilities – that’s why our trips are designed so they fit together as (not quite endless) combinations. This means that while you might just be starting your trip, some of your new travel mates may continue to Lon Angeles on the Best of America tour (SSRCC).
Traffic in and out of the cities can be hectic, especially during holiday periods. There may be delays, so be prepared to take part in car games to keep you entertained.
You'll be travelling in a van with a group of travellers, so conditions may feel a little cramped. This is all part of the adventure, however, and you might even make some long-term friends.
Washington DC is a city that's best explored on foot, which means a lot of walking. A moderate level of fitness will help but there are also optional city bike tours available.
This trip only allows for one night in Nashville. Although you'll get almost a full day to explore this great city, you might have to move quickly to see everything on your to-do list.
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Big Apple to Big Easy trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
1. This trip finishes on arrival into New Orleans in the afternoon on day 9.
2. A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes night 5 (Nashville) where you will be in shared accommodation.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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