8-Day Chicago, Springfield, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Outlet, Purdue University Tour from Chicago
CH8-5232- Reward Points
incl. Tax
- Departure: Chicago
- Leave: Chicago
- Duration: 8 Day(s)
Dates & Prices
Highlights
- Travel across the Central US from North to South
- Experience the distinctive culture of the Central and South US up close
- Exclusive tours in Chicago Theater and Purdue University
- Chicago, New Orleans, and Tennessee
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Famous cities and spectacular natural landscape; music and equestrian events;
modern beauty and pristine wildness; gourmet foods and shopping
Itinerary
- Details
- Brief
Day | Itinerary | Attractions | Note |
Day 1 | Chicago City Tour | Chicago / Michigan Avenue / Millennium Park / Buckingham Fountain |
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Day 2 | Chicago→Springfield→St. Louis | Gateway Arch / Saint Louis / Lincoln Home National Historic Site | |
Day 3 | St. Louis→Memphis Graceland | Memphis / Graceland | |
Day 4 | Oak Alley Plantation→New Orleans (Night Tour) | New Orleans / Oak Alley Plantation | |
Day 5 | New Orleans→Birmingham | Royal Street / Bourbon Street / Jackson Square / French Quarter | |
Day 6 | Chattanooga→Great Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg | Great Smoky Mountains National Park / Rock City | |
Day 7 | Kentucky Horse Park→Ark Encounter theme park | Kentucky | |
Day 8 | Purdue University→Chicago | Chicago |
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D1
Day 1
Chicago City Tour
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Meet Point
Please see detailed pickup and starting point information
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Attractions
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Accommodation
Holiday Inn Express Chicago-Schaumburg or similar
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Description
This tour will show you the best of Chicago in one day. This is a world’s top architecture city with bold architectures. You will take a walk in the Millennium Park, a combination of stunning architecture, sculpture and landscape design located in the heart of downtown Chicago; you will see Cloud Gate, the impressive signature urban sculpture and one of the best public spaces that you can find on earth. Take a break at the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the world's largest artificial fountains. Stroll around the Navy
Pier, the former Navy training center, which is the most visited lakeshore park in central United States now. You will also take an exclusive tour of the Chicago Theatre, an exquisite French Baroque style theatre. Another stop is Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile, where the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, the historical Chicago Water Tower, shopping malls and boutique stores are located.
To have the best view of this famous city, you will go up to the 360 CHICAGO which soars 1,000 feet above Lake Michigan and the city’s majestic skyline to offer the most breathtaking views of downtown Chicago, the lakefront and four neighboring states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It newly presents an enclosed, glass and steel moveable platform that tilts outward 304 meter above the Magnificent Mile and safely holds up to eight visitors at a time, which will be another thrilling experience for whom like to challenge themselves. As the birthplace of skyscrapers, Chicago has a skyline bristling with skyscrapers. Chicago River flows backwards from Lake Michigan and is lined up with best architecture in town: the corncob shaped Marina City buildings, Trump Tower, Willis Tower and etc. Take our river cruise to enjoy the beautiful urban view of Chicago. -
Things to Know
- Winter will be changed to in-depth tour, walking is one of the best ways to explore the city of architecture.
- Do not worry about the cold weather in winter, we will guide tourists how to use Pedway system to explore the beauty of Chicago. This is a huge underground passage system that connects many famous buildings like an underground city.
D2
Day 2
Chicago→Springfield→St. Louis
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Accommodation
Comfort Inn Festus or similar
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Description
First, we will go south to Springfield, hometown of Abraham Lincoln, one of the most respected presidents in the United States. We will see his former home where Lincoln lived in for 17 years. Right behind his residence, there is the State Capitol of Illinois, the tallest non-skyscraper capitol building in the United States.
Then we will head for St. Louis, the largest metropolitan area of East Missouri, sitting by the banks of Mississippi River which is the longest river of the country. Located in Central America, St. Louis is right at the geographical center point of the United States. It used to be one of the busiest train transport hubs in the world. It held the 3rd Summer Olympics in 1904. It is also well known for being the beginning point of the Westward Movement. Visit the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot monument, is the world’s tallest arch, commemorating the striving men during this historical migration and land expansion. We will also visit the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The interior of the building is covered by 41.5 million pieces of mosaic glass in more than 7000 colors. It is one of the world's largest mosaic collections nowadays. Our tour group will head to the hotel by dusk.
D3
Day 3
St. Louis→Memphis Graceland
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Accommodation
Ramada Pearl/Jackson Airport or similar
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Description
After going across Mississippi River the second time during this tour, we reach Memphis, the biggest city of Tennessee, the land of music. Memphis is a city of reminiscence. The city was named after the ancient capital of Egypt by the Nile River. It has the same scorching sun as that in Egypt. The city echoes its Egyptian reference city with a huge modern looking Pyramid that we can see on the bus. Visit Graceland, the mansion home of Elvis Presley, commonly regarded as “the King of Rock and Roll”, “the most significant cultural icon of the 20th century”. Elvis’ hit songs can be heard everywhere in Graceland to pay homage to this beloved superstar. Browse Elvis Presley’s fancy mansion with an interactive iPad to feel the legend. Later, go to the hotel near Jackson.
D4
Day 4
Oak Alley Plantation→New Orleans (Night Tour)
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Accommodation
La Quinta Inn New Orleans Veterans/Metairie or similar
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Description
When we reach Oak Alley Plantation, a U.S. National Historic Landmark located at the west suburban of New Orleans, our attention, right away, would be directed to the astonishing beauty that the plantation presents. Visitors may even feel that they were taken into the scene of Gone with Wind. The master’s big house is contrasting with the slave quarter nearby. Two rows of 300-years-old oak trees are not only concealing the amazing quarter-mile-long garden road, but also the bitterness of the south had borne after Civil War.
The natural environment of New Orleans is as distinctive as its local culture. We will also have a swamp tour, a fun adventurous yet safe boat ride that showcases the unique eco system of New Orleans region. You’ll have opportunities to see alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets, herons, ibis and many other species as well as many strange looking plants living in the swamp. It is like entering a land of unknown. The natural disaster remains of Hurricane Katrina of ten years ago can still be seen. It is so fascinating of the untouched swamp wildness of the pristine beauty. After going to the hotel, it is recommended to take an optional New Orleans night city tour at $25 per person. New Orleans is a city with rich French and Spanish heritage. In between corners of every old French style townhouse, you may find a live jazz performance; every narrow block you turn to, there might be an oyster cocktail bar. It feels like many festivals are going on simultaneously. The night is long, and the nightlife is on.
D5
Day 5
New Orleans→Birmingham
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Accommodation
Comfort Suites Gadsden or similar
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Description
New Orleans, built in 1718, is an important historical city in South US and one of the major ports, also well-known as the birthplace of jazz and French Creole culture. In its French Quarter, streets are narrow and crowded with French-style architectures, much like in France. It is up to you whether you like to start your day in the CafDu Monde with a most original French Coffee and their famed sugar coated donut, or, immerse yourself in the liveliness of local street art.
Feel free to visit the antique stores alongside the Royal Street, or randomly jump in a jazz bar on the Bourbon Street. Jackson Square was built to commemorate General Andrew Jackson. St. Louis Cathedral and steamboat are also within walking distance; and, if anything, don’t miss out the chance to try some authentic Cajun food. We bid farewell to New Orleans and head to Alabama State by noon. Passing through Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama, where is one of the most intense “battlegrounds” during Civil Right Movement in 60s, you will learn and feel how much the tears and blood of demonstrators shed for human rights equality. The violent moments frozen in the silent statues in Kelly Ingram Park are depicting the unforgettable story passing through generations.
D6
Day 6
Chattanooga→Great Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Accommodation
Clarion Inn & Suites West Knoxville or similar
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Description
Leave for Tennessee, we will arrive Chattanooga and explore the magnificent Lookout Mountain by getting on top of Rock City. It is said seven neighboring states might be seen from Lover's Leap, one of the scenic points in the Rock City - you can find out by yourself whether it is true or not. However, we are sure you will be amazed by the breathtaking panoramic views of natural landscape, massive ancient rock formations, and gardens with over 400 native plant species. We continually drive through the Great Smoky Mountains which is the habitat of a variety of animals. Then we will reach Gatlinburg, a charming mountain town with a variety of unique shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. Among them, some local stores will surely keep you busy where you can pick out souvenirs or local products such as Ole Smoky Moonshine and hand-made candies.
Our Tennessee visit reaches the climax of the day by attending the most visited dinner attraction in America (at your own expense): Dixie Stampede, dine in a dinner theatre where you can watch a brilliant show with 32 horses and a cast of top-notch riders. They will thrill you with daring feats of trick riding and competition, pitting North against South in a friendly and fun rivalry. You will enjoy music, dancing, special effects and family friendly comedy along the way. With such a visual spectacular and taste buds satisfaction, the experience composed is second to none.
D7
Day 7
Kentucky Horse Park→Ark Encounter theme park
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Accommodation
Clarion Hotel Conference Center Louisville North or similar
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Description
Visit Kentucky, where known as the "Bluegrass State" due to its fertile soil in many pastures. We stop by Kentucky Artisan Center, a state tourism agency celebrating Kentucky’s charming local folk art wares. A variety of handcrafts and artworks are one of a kind and such eye-candy.
Later, arrive in Lexington, the "Horse Capital of the World". Kentucky’s horse racing is world famed. We will visit Kentucky Horse Park. This equestrian facility is a 1,224-acre park dedicated to "man's relationship with the horse" with various shows and museums open to public. Kentucky Horse Park has also been home to many of the world's best competition horses, and a nursery ground to many rare horses.
D8
Day 8
Purdue University→Chicago
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Meet Point
On the designated pick-up area
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Attractions
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Description
After seeing Indiana state house in Indianapolis from outside, we travel to Lafayette, where
Purdue University is located. Purdue University is a giant public flagship university founded in 1869 with a nearly 40,000 student enrollment. The West Lafayette campus offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates, over 70 master’s and doctoral programs. Purdue has produced 23 astronauts who have been chosen for space flight. Its alumnus Neil Armstrong took his famous "small step" into history as the first human to set foot on the moon. We will reach sweet home Chicago later afternoon of the day. -
Return
Return to Chicago in the afternoon or O'Hare International Airport (please book flight after 19:00)
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Things to Know
- If you need to leave at any other places on the way back to Chicago, please confirm it with your tour guide in advance
END
The End
Departure & Return
Pickup Locations
Location | Time | Address | Note |
Chinatown, Chicago | 08:00 | 207 W Cermak Rd. Chicago, IL 60616 | The gathering time on that day is subject to the confirmation sheet. It is suggested that you arrive at the boarding point 5-15 minutes in advance |
Dropoff Locations
Location | Time | Address |
O'Hare International Airport(ORD) | Free drop off: Flight departure after 19:00 | 10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666 |
Includes & Excludes
Includes
- Professional bilingual tour guide
- Transportation (The type of vehicle used will base on the number of guests on the day. 7-seat minivan; Minivan; motorcoach)
- Hotel (Nights is less a day of tour days);
- 7 night Hotel Accommodation
Excludes
- Service fee (minimum US$12/person/day, any child and Infant reserving a seat have to pay the service fees as well)
- Food and beverage (Tour guide will arrange. About breakfast: usually guests can prepare in advance or have breakfast at the first attraction/the nearest store from the hotel);
- Any personal expenses are not listed in Fee Included.
- 360 Chicago (incl. Tilt): Adult $35, Senior (age 65 and above) $35, Child (age 3-12) $23
- Chicago Cruise: Adult $60-$66, Child (age 3-12) $48-$54
- Chicago Theater: Adult $15, Senior (age 65 and above) $15, Child (age 3-12) $10
- The Art Institute of Chicago: Adult $32, Senior (age 65 and above) $26, Child (age 14 and below) $26
- Helicopter Experience Tour (minimum 2 people): $89
Notice
Optional activity prices in the excluded list is for reference only.
Attentions
- The itinerary will be subject to traffic, departure date, and weather, etc.
- This tour does not accept any City Pass or your own tickets for the attraction.
- A valid photo ID is required to board the bus. Customers are held solely responsible for their own travel documents and/or visas if required.
- There IS a penalty for any 3rd or 4th passengers who joins the tour for free of charge but becomes no show on the departure date.
- Smoking is prohibited aboard the bus in accordance with Federal law and prohibited in all hotel rooms.
- Concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic,some recreations areas are temporially closed. The tour guide will arrange the itinerary.
- Please arrive at the departure point 15 minutes before the scheduled time and follow the arrangement of a tour escort.
- Please arrange your drop off point same as departure point, drop off at different point may not work.
Policies
No Show
Once the booking is confirmed, an absence or failure to show up on the scheduled date is NO SHOW. No show is non-refundable.
Cancellation
Cancellation Period | Policy |
16 or more days prior to tour departure date | Refund 85% payment |
9 - 15 days prior to tour departure date | Refund 40% payment |
8 days prior to tour departure date | Non-refundable |
Guaranteed!
- Lowest online price
- 48hr price protection
- Extra award credits
- Secure transaction