Music and Outlaws

Day 1 - Fly from the UK to Dallas Fort Worth.

On arrival collect your car and head to Grapevine, TX, approx. 10 miles Start your adventure in Grapevine's Historic Main Street District, where 19th-century brick buildings now house boutiques, galleries and winery tasting rooms. Shop for Western goods, local artworks, and unique souvenirs. Take in spectacular views of Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding Grapevine area from the 150-foot-tall Grapevine Observation Tower, take a stroll on the trails of Lake Grapevine or through the Grapevine Botanical Gardens or take a trip Grapevine Vintage Railroad (or TEXRail) for the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth. Grapevine strikes a perfect chord between Wild West heritage and creative spirit. Infamous for the exploits of Bonnie and Clyde and being the hometown of Post Malone and Norah Jones, Grapevine is full of surprises.

Stay three nights in Grapevine.

Day 4 - Drive to Duncan, OK, approx. 140 miles

A change of pace today as you head from the wide Texan landscapes to the southern charm of Oklahoma. Stop in Atoka for lunch at Reba's Place, inspired by country music legend Reba McEntire, celebrating small-town roots and country music culture, before heading on to Tishomingo to explore the historic Chickasaw National Capitol Building, offering insight into tribal leadership and sovereignty. Alternatively, try Ole Red, a restaurant and live music venue by Blake Shelton, blending dining with Oklahoma's modern country scene. On to Sulphur and the Chickasaw Cultural Center, an award-winning destination featuring interactive exhibits, traditional storytelling and authentic architecture.

Stay one night in Duncan.

Day 5 - Drive to Oklahoma City, OK, approx. 80 miles

Before leaving Duncan, explore the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, where interactive exhibits bring the legendary cattle drives to life. On then to Oklahoma City and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, home to one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Western art, rodeo history and Native American artifacts. Discover music heritage at the American Banjo Museum, showcasing the banjo's role in shaping American music. Honour the lives lost in the 1995 bombing through powerful exhibits and outdoor symbolism at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Take a water taxi to Bricktown, the city’s entertainment district, shop in Stockyards City and try a classic Oklahoma dining experience at Cattlemen's Steakhouse, a historic favourite among ranchers and cowboys.

Stay one night in Oklahoma City.

Day 6 - Drive to Robbers Cave State Park, OK, approx. 160 miles

On your way, fuel-up in Krebs, known as ‘Little Italy’ in Oklahoma, where you’ll find hearty Italian cuisine at Pete’s. Then head into the hills of southeastern Oklahoma to Robbers Cave State Park, once a hideout for notorious outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and forested trails, the park blends natural beauty with Wild West legend.

Stay one night in Robbers Cave State Park.

Day 7 - Drive to Tulsa, OK, approx. 125 miles

Take a scenic drive to Muskogee to visit the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, celebrating artists who shaped Oklahoma's sound across genres. Then in Tahlequah, explore the heart of the Cherokee Nation with visits to the Cherokee National History Museum, Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, Cherokee National Prison. Continue to Tulsa, home to a rich musical legacy. Visit the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Center, where the stories of two iconic songwriters come to life through immersive exhibits. Make sure you also stop at the Church Studio, a legendary recording space founded by Leon Russell. You’ll find world-class collections at the elegant Philbrook Museum of Art, housed in a historic Italian Renaissance-style villa with expansive gardens and cruise historic Route 66 through Tulsa's Meadow Gold District, known for vintage neon, public art and roadside giants.

Stay one night in Tulsa.

Day 8 - Drive to Miami, OK, approx. 90 miles

As you head out of Tulsa, top at the quirky Blue Whale of Catoosa, one of the most photographed landmarks along Route 66. In Claremore, explore the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, honouring Oklahoma's favourite humourist and cowboy philosopher, followed by the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum, one of the largest firearms collections in the world. Continue to the whimsical Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park, featuring the world's largest concrete totem pole and folk-art structures. Stop in Vinita at the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center before ending the day in Miami, which boasts the stunning Coleman Theatre, a beautifully restored 1920s vaudeville theatre known for its ornate architecture and rich performance history.

Stay one night in Miami.

Day 9 - Drive to Fayetteville, AR, approx. 100 miles

Leave Oklahoma behind and head to Bentonville in Northwest Arkansas which blends art, outdoor adventure and a creative spirit rooted in the Ozarks. Explore the scenic Crystal Bridges Trails, bike portions of the Razorback Greenway, or the more advanced terrain at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Visit the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where world-class works are set among the natural beauty of the region, before heading on to Fayetteville. Explore the historic downtown square and uncover the city's layered past, including stories of Ozark bootlegging and frontier life. Stroll along Dickson Street, known for its lively atmosphere, music scene and long-standing reputation for pushing boundaries. Enjoy live music at George's Majestic Lounge, one of the oldest continuously operating music venues in the country, reflecting the storytelling tradition of artists like Johnny Cash.

Stay one night in Fayetteville.

Day 10 - Drive to Hot Springs, AR, approx. 185 miles

On your way, stop in Fort Smith to visit the U.S. Marshals Museum, where the history of frontier justice, lawmen and outlaws comes to life. Nearby, visit the Chaffee Barbershop Museum at Fort Chaffee where Elvis Presley received his iconic 1958 Army haircut. Continue to Hot Springs, known for its blend of natural beauty, history and a touch of outlaw lore. Explore Hot Springs National Park and the Thermal Springs Viewing Area, or take in panoramic views from Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Visit Bathhouse Row and the Hot Springs National Park Museum to learn about the city's historic spa culture. Dive into the city's past at the Gangster Museum of America, highlighting its Prohibition-era reputation as a haven for notorious figures like Al Capone. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment at The Ohio Club – Arkansas's oldest bar – or experience the energy of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

Stay one night in Hot Springs.

Day 11 - Drive to Little Rock, AR, approx. 60 miles

Explore the Arkansas River Trail or take in scenic views from the Big Dam Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian bridges in North America. For outdoor enthusiasts, visit Pinnacle Mountain State Park for hiking and biking or enjoy kayaking and cycling with Rock Town River Outfitters. Discover the city's history at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site or explore other cultural institutions like the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and the Clinton Presidential Center. Enjoy interactive exhibits at the Museum of Discovery or cheer on a local baseball game with the Arkansas Travelers. In the evening, experience Little Rock's live music scene at venues like White Water Tavern, Revolution Music Room, Stickyz Rock'n'Roll Chicken Shack or The Hall. Enjoy local craft beverages at Rock Town Brewing Co. or Lost Forty Brewing before exploring the Argenta Arts District's galleries and nightlife.

Stay one night in Little Rock.

Day 12 - Drive to Memphis, TN, approx. 220 miles

Travel through the Arkansas Delta towards Memphis, stopping in Wilson for lunch at the Wilson Café, known for its elevated farm-to-table Southern cuisine. Visit White's Mercantile, a modern general store created by singer-songwriter Holly Williams, and then continue to Dyess to visit Johnny Cash's Boyhood Home, part of a New Deal-era colony established in 1935. Learn how his upbringing shaped his music and storytelling legacy. Known as the Home of the Blues, Soul & Rock 'n' Roll, Memphis needs little introduction.

Visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum to explore the powerful story of how music shaped the cultural and social fabric of the region; Sun Studio, often called the "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll," where legends like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King launched their careers; and Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley, where exhibits and tours showcase his life, career and lasting cultural impact. At any time of the day or evening experience live blues, soul and rock performances along Beale Street, where the city's musical legacy comes alive.

Visit the National Civil Rights Museum and New Legacy Museum at the Lorraine Motel, a powerful and moving experience that chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement. Private tours give you a different and more close-up perspective on the city, as well as options to learn about some of the city’s darker history. A city also known for its food, make sure you eat at the Arcade Restaurant, where Elvis, B.B. King and Martin Luther King dined during the 1950s & 1960s. Built in 1919, this is the oldest running family-owned restaurant, and the menu has not changed as the story continued to the Civil Rights era. Memphis-style BBQ, fried chicken and other ‘soul food’ favourites can be found throughout the city.

Stay three nights in Memphis.

Day 15 - Drive to Nashville, TN, approx. 210 miles

Enjoy the changing scenery of Tennessee's countryside, dotted with small towns and rolling landscapes that have helped shape the region's musical heritage. Nashville is widely known as ‘Music City’ for good reason, and today is a global hub for music and songwriting. Begin your musical journey on Music Row with a visit to RCA Studio B, famously known as the "Home of a Thousand Hits," where over 1,000 top ten songs were recorded, including more than 200 by Elvis Presley. Then head to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where exhibits explore the origins, traditions and influential voices that shaped country music. Take a tour of Ryman Auditorium, a world-renowned concert hall, Rock & Roll landmark, famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry and music's most iconic stage. Visit the National Museum of African American Music, where interactive exhibits highlight the profound influence of African Americans across more than 50 genres of music.

Nashville's famous Honky Tonk Highway along Lower Broadway is lined with legendary venues, shops and nonstop live music. Enjoy dinner at the Listening Room Café, with performances from both rising artists and the hitmakers behind Nashville's biggest songs, or head to Fifth + Broadway for shopping, dining and rooftop views in the heart of downtown Nashville. Experience the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio show in the world. A backstage tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the show that made country music famous.

Experience over two centuries of hospitality at the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery. Explore the beautifully preserved estate, learn about Tennessee's Victorian architecture and equestrian legacy and enjoy award-winning wines or discover the origins of Belle Meade Bourbon. Visit The Parthenon in Centennial Park, a full-scale replica of the original in Athens and a nod to Nashville's nickname, the ‘Athens of the South’, and explore some of Nashville's unique neighbourhoods, each offering its own blend of local shops, dining and cultural experiences.

Stay three nights in Nashville

Day 18 - Drop-off your car at the airport in time to check-in for your flight