This 15-day itinerary through the southern U.S. will enable you to visit a number of interesting and authentic American destinations. We've optimized it to keep travel times reasonable and give you plenty of time to enjoy each destination. You'll land at Atlanta airport and depart from Austin. Each of these two cities has its own well-served international airport offering a multitude of services.
Days 1 and 2: Atlanta, Georgia
First and foremost, make sure you have all the necessary documents for your trip to the USA. You'll land at Atlanta Airport in Georgia. This is the world's largest airport in terms of passenger traffic. So you'll have no trouble finding a flight to land there. The airport is very well equipped, so you can easily buy a SIM card or rent a car to start your 15-day itinerary through the southern United States. Stay a couple of nights in Atlanta to visit this interesting city and get some rest after your flight.
The article to read: to help you organize your trip, take a look at our article on planning a trip to the USA. You can also take advantage of a discount by booking your your travel insurance and leave with peace of mind!
To book: go here to book your bus tour of Atlanta and discover all the city's must-see places.
Visit the World of Coca-Cola
Atlanta is the birthplace of Coca-Cola, which now has its headquarters here. The multinational has created a museum that tells the story of the brand and its world: The World of Coca-Cola. The scenography is particularly elaborate and will appeal to children and adults alike. It includes hundreds of objects emblazoned with the famous logo, posters, projections, factory machines and other pop-culture decor. You can sample a range of products, and a store awaits you at the end of your visit by booking here.
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Enter the Georgia Aquarium
Visit Georgia Aquarium is well worth a visit, as it's one of the largest in the world. It's home to fascinating species such as penguins, belugas, dolphins, and even the world's largest fish: the whale shark. The Aquarium also offers a wide range of entertainment, so you could easily spend the whole day there if you booked here.
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Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Take advantage of your 15-day itinerary in the southern U.S. to visit Sweet Auburn, Atlanta's African-American neighborhood. It's particularly rich in historic sites and interesting buildings. Among them, don't miss the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. The activist was born in Atlanta, and the site retraces his life and struggle. You can see his birthplace, his burial site and the church where he served as pastor by booking here.
Stroll through Piedmont Park and the Beltline
Visit Piedmont Park is a superb park well worth a visit. It covers an area of 76 hectares and can be explored on foot or by bike. Sporting events are held here, as well as a Saturday morning market. Within the park, don't miss the botanical garden, which displays local and exotic varieties of plants. Another pleasant walk is the Beltline. This is a pedestrian and cycle path that follows the route of an old railroad.
Please note if you'd like to opt for a personalized travel itinerary in the USA, we recommend you request your free quote right here. A tailor-made, responsible trip, direct with the best local agencies, awaits you!
Days 3 and 4: Nashville, Tennessee
Continue your 15-day southern U.S. itinerary with a drive to Nashville, Tennessee, one of the most interesting state capitals in the United States. It's a 4-hour drive. You'll stay for 2 nights. This city will bring you closer to American culture, as Nashville is known for its music industry, and even considered the capital of country music.
To book : Discover allNashville's best spots at your own pace by booking this multi-stop bus tour.
Take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry or Ryman Auditorium
Visit Grand Ole Opry is Nashville's most legendary concert hall. You can attend a country music show there by booking right here. The Ryman Auditorium is another legendary concert venue not to be missed on your 15-day itinerary through the southern United States. The program is exceptional.
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Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame
To continue your discovery of American musical culture in Nashville, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. This is a museum dedicated to country music, whose history it tells and whose greatest stars it presents. The museum is gigantic and particularly rich, and an audioguide is highly recommended for browsing.
Discover the fascinating history of country music through a wide range of exhibits by booking your ticket to the Country Music Hall of Fame right here.
Photograph the Parthenon
There's something astonishing about coming across a Greek temple in the heart of Tennessee. It was built in 1897 as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Inside the Parthenon is a 12-metre sculpture of Athena.
Days 5 and 6: Memphis, Tennessee
Resuming your 15-day itinerary in the American South, we drive up to Memphis, a 3-hour drive away. This is Tennessee's second-largest city, and was the birthplace of the legendary Elvis Presley. It was also in this storied city that Martin Luther King died. Stay for two nights.
Click here to book your guided tour of Memphis and discover the city's most emblematic landmarks, including downtown, the Pyramid and the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated.
Visit Graceland
Memphis is known the world over as the city where Elvis Presley lived most of his life. You can visit Graceland, the home of the King and his family, now a museum dedicated to the artist, as well as his burial ground. The site is revered by the singer's fans, who continue to flock there to pay their respects, particularly in August, on the anniversary of his death. Inside, you can admire the decorations created by Elvis himself, as well as his personal possessions, including his car collection.
Click here to book your guidedMemphis City Tour . The ticket includes a visit to the Graceland mansion, the ultimate museum of Elvis, the king of rock'n'roll.
The article to read: to plan your next trip to the USA, be sure to read our article on the best things to do in California.
Enter Sun Studio
Graceland isn't the only building marked by Elvis' presence. Sun Studio is also mythical, as the recording studio that hosted the King. It was here that he recorded some of his greatest hits, such as That's Allright Mama. Other stars have passed through the doors of this legendary studio, including Johnny Cash.
You can book this guided tour of the city, which includes admission to Sun Studios if you so choose.
Stroll down Beale Street
Beale Street is the most famous street in Memphis. Many artists have performed in its establishments. The historic street is now home to a number of clubs, bars and restaurants, often themed around Rock'n'Roll, and usually enlivened by street performances.
Visit the National Civil Rights Museum
It was in Memphis that Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. The motel remains partly intact, as it was at the time, and now also houses a museum dedicated to Martin Luther King's struggle. It traces the history of slavery in the United States and the civil rights movement.
Days 7 to 9: New Orleans, Louisiana
Continue on to New Orleans, Louisiana. From Memphis, it's a 5.30-hour drive, the longest of your 15-day itinerary in the southern United States. New Orleans is one of America's must-sees, thanks to its rich culture blending French, Creole and American influences. Stay 3 nights.
To book : Step back in time by booking this two-hour jazz cruise aboard the famous sternwheeler Natchez on the Mississippi River.
Explore the French Quarter
The French Quarter, or Carré Français, is a must-see in New Orleans. This is the city's historic center, founded in 1718 by the French. It features spectacular colonial architecture. Don't miss Bourbon Street, lined with numerous French-style houses.
Visit the Garden District
Another not-to-be-missed neighborhood, the Garden District boasts a chic ambience, with middle-class homes and mansions shaded by oak trees. Take a tour of the remarkable Lafayette Cemetery.
Walk along Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen Street is one of the best-known streets in New Orleans, especially for its live music. Dance to the rhythms of jazz, of course, but also reggae, blues and electro. The street's clubs are legendary, and have played host to some of the world's biggest names.
The article to read: for more discoveries in the southern U.S., read our selection of the best things to see in Florida.
Take a trip to the Bayou
Step away from the city to discover one of the most beautiful things to see in Louisiana: the Bayou. This is a typical Louisiana ecosystem, made up of bodies of water from the Mississippi River that form navigable wetlands dotted with trees.
Days 10 and 11: Houston, Texas
Drive 5 hrs to Houston, Texas, where your 15-day itinerary through the southern USA continues. The fourth-largest city in the country, it's home to a rich heritage, including a NASA center that's well worth a visit! Spend two nights there.
Visit the Space Center Houston
The mythical Space Center Houston is NASA's space center, and a must-see in the city. A variety of tours will give you a better understanding of rocket launches, the conquest of space and the stakes involved by booking here.
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Explore the Museum District
Houston, a city of culture, is home to an entire district dedicated to it: the Museum District. Museums cover a wide range of themes, and you're bound to find one that interests you, from the Museum of Asian Cultures to the Museum of Science and History, from the South Texas Museum of Art to the Texas Surf Museum..
Petit Futé tip: if you want to visit several museums, we recommend you buy the Houston CityPASS® online right here which will save you money on entrance fees.
Stroll through Buffalo Bayou Park
While not as beautiful as America's finest national parks, Buffalo Bayou Park is a breath of fresh air in the middle of Houston. The park is well planted and well worth a walk or bike ride. You're sure to enjoy the frequent entertainment and art exhibitions. You can even discover the park by kayak!
Days 12 and 13: San Antonio, Texas
Drive 3 hours west to San Antonio, perhaps the most pleasant big city in Texas. It offers the rare American advantage of being pedestrian-friendly. Stay for two nights.
Discover San Antonio's iconic sites such as the Alamo, the Spanish missions and the Tower of the Americas on a 5-hour small-group tour by booking right here.
Admire the Alamo
The Alamo is one of the five missions of San Antonio, the Spanish religious orders once responsible for spreading Christianity. Today, the complex is a Unesco World Heritage site. The Alamo is a complex comprising a temple, gardens and a particularly interesting historical museum. A must-see if you want to understand Texas history.
Walk along the River Walk
San Antonio is one of the few major American metropolises that is pleasant on foot, and the River Walk is a perfect illustration of this. It's a trail that follows the banks of the river. Join the locals for a stroll, a bike ride or a picnic. It's always bright and lively in the evening, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the area.
Visit Mission San José
Of San Antonio's five missions, Mission San José is the one to prioritize. It was founded in 1720 by the Spanish. The complex is very large and equally rich in historical heritage. You can take a guided tour to discover the secrets of the site.
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Days 14 and 15: Austin, Texas
To complete your 15-day itinerary in the southern U.S., head for Austin, your final destination. From San Antonio, allow 1 hr 30 min. drive. The capital of Texas has plenty to offer, thanks to its lively streets and trendy student atmosphere - a real Texas San Francisco! Spend a night here before departing from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Click here to book your guided electric bike tour of Austin, including a visit to the Texas State Capitol.
Take in a concert on Sixth Street
Sixth Street is one of Austin's liveliest streets. It's the place to go out and meet the soul of Austin. It's home to bars, trendy cafés and restaurants. Drop by in the evening to catch a concert, which are often organized by the various bars. You can also book this guided tour of downtown pubs for live music concerts.
Dive into Barton Spring Pools
If you visit Austin in summer, you'll love taking a dip in Barton Spring Pools, outdoor pools fed by natural springs. It's like swimming in a wild lagoon in the middle of the city! In the summer, the water rises to 23°C, so you can cool off in the hot Texas sun if you book your entry to Barton Spring Poolshere.
Photograph the Texas Capitol
As the capital of Texas, Austin is home to the Capitol, the seat of Texas government. It's one of the largest state capitols in the USA. It's possible to visit an important part of the building, an interesting activity both historically and architecturally.
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