7-Day Chicago to St. Louis, New Orleans, Chattanooga, Great Smoky Mountains and Ark Encounter Theme Park Tour
Tour Code: GOL-CHI-121
Duration: 7 Day(s) / 6 Night(s)
Tour Guide: Chinese, English
Quality: Budget
Departure City
Destination
Return City
Overview
Experience: UNESCO, Family
Extra (Excluded): Wifi, Meal etc...
Tour Guide:Chinese, English
[Running through the north and south of the United States] Through the north and south continents in the central part of the United States, feel the cultural differences between the north and the south, and interpret the customs of the central part; experience the perfect fusion of famous cities and beautiful scenery, music and equestrian performances, modernity and simplicity, food and carnival.
[Carnival feast] Magnificent parade floats, millions of tourists from all over the world, and people dressed in colorful and exquisite gorgeous costumes together constitute a carnival feast of singing and dancing. Participate in the most distinctive parabolic activities of the Carnival, put yourself in the warm and moving atmosphere of the Carnival, and indulge yourself for a complete carnival.
[Visual Feast] Crossing the majestic Lookout Mountain and standing in Stone Town to look at the natural landscape from a distance; crossing the Great Smoky Mountains to Gatlinburg, indulging in the intoxicating beauty at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains; tasting the sumptuous southern delicacies while performing the Southern Feast Show , while enjoying the wonderful performance.
[Historical Relics] As the National Historic Site of the United States, the former residence of Lincoln, you can visit Graceland, the former residence of Elvis Presley, the late rock king, and Oak Manor is listed as a historical site in the southern United States.
Itinerary
Depart from Chicago in the morning and head southward to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, the hometown of the greatest president in American history, Lincoln’s former residence. Behind Lincoln's former residence is the Illinois State Government, the tallest state government building in the United States. In the afternoon, head to St. Louis. This is the largest city in the eastern part of Missouri, the United States. It is located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the mother river of the United States, almost in the geometric center of the United States. It was once the busiest train hub in the world and the starting point of the Western Development. Geographically, it is of great strategic significance. Visit the world's tallest monument: St. Louis Arch, the St. Louis Cathedral built in 1914, which is still one of the world's largest mosaic art patterns.
schedule:
Chicago → Springfield, the capital of Illinois → Lincoln House (exterior, 30 minutes) → Old Illinois State Capitol (exterior, 30 minutes) → St. Louis → St. Louis Arch (30 minutes) → St. Louis Cathedral (exterior, 30 minutes) → hotel
Hotel: Comfort Inn Festus or Similar.
Attractions
The building that houses legislative and executive branches of US government is the Illinois Capitol. It has been built on the area of four hectares.
Refers to a historical site, where the famous American president Abraham Lincoln once lived precisely from 1844 till 1861. The site consists of Springfield and Illinois home.
Springfield, legalized in 1838, is a famous and the third biggest city in Missouri. It has multiple attractions for the visitors like live music, nightlife, fun, art and various festivals.
located in the heart of Louisiana, the St. Louis Cathedral is Branch of Roman Catholic Archdiocese and considered to be one of the oldest cathedrals in the country. The name of the cathedral is dedicated to the king of France, St. Louis who helped built this shrine couple of centuries ago.
St. Louis is an iconic city situated parallel to Mississippi River. The city was constructed in 1960 and presents the arch view as its most prominent sight. Music, barbeque and clubs are its major attractions.
Take a bus to Memphis, the largest city in Tennessee, the human geography resembles the ancient city of Memphis on the banks of the Nile, and it also has the unique hot sun of Cairo, Egypt. Hence the name. Browse the pleasant scenery of Memphis; visit "Graceland", the former residence of Elvis Presley, the originator of rock and roll in the music industry. The American nostalgia complex of the 1950s and 1960s is accompanied by Elvis Presley's golden songs, and you can get to know Tennessee, the hometown of music in the middle of the country. In the evening, stay at a hotel near Jackson.
schedule:
Hotel → Memphis → Elvis Presley's former residence "Graceland" (own expense, 120 minutes) → hotel
Hotel: Best Western Airport Inn (Pearl, MS) or Similar.
Attractions
Graceland offers an exceptional experience that you have never experience before with any other entertainment complex. The complex has the most comprehensive and largest Elvis Museum, and Discovery exhibits showcasing El aspects. Graceland is a MUST visit attraction for any Elvis fan.
An ideal location to enjoy music with food along the Mississippi River in Tennessee is called Memphis. The Rock’n Roll, Jazz and Blue are favorite music types enjoyed by people.
The largest plantation in the south, located in the western suburbs of New Orleans, is listed as a historic site in the southern United States - Oak Manor, which can be said to have gone through vicissitudes. The unique landscape of New Orleans surrounded by water has created this unique southern swamp wetland. The swamp ecological cruise will take you back and forth between the swamps in the Amazon River Basin to watch natural ecology such as crocodiles and bald eagles. You can take a night tour of New Orleans at your own expense.
schedule:
Hotel → Oak Manor (own expense, 90 minutes) → swamp ecological cruise (own expense, 90 minutes) → New Orleans night tour (own expense, 180 minutes)
Hotel: Sleep Inn & Suites Metairie or Similar.
Attractions
A form of dinner theatre with double locations in Tennessee is known as Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede. It was developed in the year 1988.
Located in the heart of Indiana, the Fair Oaks Farm is one of the most renowned farms attracting visitors from around the globe. Fair Oaks Farm houses a wide variety of cows, pigs, and similar livestock, as well as learn about the efforts of farmers, and how the livestock is produced and how it affects our daily life. The exhibits at Fair Oaks Farm are open for visitors all year round.
The New Orleans Night was an Arena Football League, it was founded 1991. People can also go on a tour of the stadium, that is what is meant by New Orleans Night Tour.
The western side of Mississippi River has a historic plantation with exceptional visual attributes, known as Oak Alley Plantation. The scenery, agriculture and architecture are the most remarkable attractions of the plantation.
Hope into one of the fan boats to get up close with the crocodiles, alligators and all the unique flora and fauna dwelling in the swamp ecosystem. You can see snakes, egrets, turtles, ibis and herons too and sometimes owls, hawks, and bald eagles. Apart from the animals, it offers some beautiful sceneries for your eyes as the boat goes deep in the swamp.
The famous tourist city New Orleans is an ancient city in the southern United States. It was built in 1718 and is one of the main ports in the United States. Known as the birthplace of jazz and French Creole culture. The French Quarter is filled with exotic features, famous for the Royal Street Antique Emporium, Bourbon Street, Andrew Jackson Square and St. Louis Church. Head to Alabama in the afternoon, passing through Birmingham, the largest city.
schedule:
New Orleans→French Quarter→Taste authentic French coffee and French donuts at Cafe Du Monde (own expense) →Royal Street→Bourbon Street→Jackson Square→New Orleans St. Louis Cathedral→Birmingham→Kelly Ying Graham Park (30 minutes) → Hotel
On February 21, 2023, the New Orleans Mardi Gras will be officially held. The parade is the climax of the carnival, and millions of tourists from all over the world take to the streets and follow the gorgeous parade floats. The most distinctive custom of Carnival is parabolic. Throw all kinds of little objects from the parade floats, including colored beads, doubloons, princess headbands, jazz hats, and more, making the New Orleans Parade an unrivaled, crowd-pleasing event Activity. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is not only a carnival of singing and dancing, but also a competition of exotic costumes. Every year, hundreds of people dressed in colorful, exquisite and gorgeous costumes take to the streets to participate in this carnival. Bright wigs, tutus, and sequined gowns are the most popular choices, and don't forget to pair it with a cool mask.
Hotel: Comfort Suites Gadsden Attalla or Similar.
Attractions
Bourbon Street, LA, this is a renowned French Quarter street and an ideal place to host birthday or bachelor party or even the girls night out. The Bourbon Street has the best bars, DJs, and endless celebration opportunities, besides being steeped in history and 18th-century beauty.
The oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans is famous with the name of French Quarter. It is also known as Vieux Carre. It was established in the year 1718.
Jackson Square is essentially a historic park in New Orleans, in the 1960’s it was officially declared a National Historic Landmark and has remained a really popular tourist attraction.
Head to Chattanooga, Tennessee in the early morning to visit many natural wonders and cultural landscapes. Drive through the majestic Lookout Mountain, stand in Stone Town and climb up to see the strange and beautiful natural landscape, continue to drive through the Great Smoky Mountains, where there are so many kinds of animals that inhabit them. Arriving in Gatlinburg, indulging in the intoxicating beauty at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, this small town is also a great place to experience the rustic beauty of Central Tennessee. Then the most famous local large-scale equestrian cabaret dinner will push the Tennessee trip to a climax. Tasting the rich southern food while enjoying the wonderful performance, it is really a visual and taste feast.
schedule:
Chattanooga → Drive through Lookout Mountain → Rock City (at your own expense, 75 minutes) → Gatlinburg (2 hours, you can go to Pigeon Forge to participate in the "Southern Feast" equestrian dinner show at your own expense) → Hotel
Hotel: Clarion Inn & Suites West Knoxville or Similar.
Attractions
There are many cities in Tennessee, the fourth largest of which is Chattanooga. According to a census in 2012, the city has an estimated population of 171,279 and is a nice place to visit.
Refers to the inclined plane railway statistically having 4 ft. 8 ¹⁄₂ standard gauge., The location of the Railway is at the side of the Lookout Mountain, the lookout mountain is located in Tennessee United States.
Refers to the United States of America’s famous city located in the water county (Georgia), According to statistical records the population of the city was 1617 in 2000 and 1602 in 2010.
Depart from the hotel in the morning and pass by the Kentucky Folk Art Center, where there are a wide range of handmade ethnic art products in the middle of the country. Friends who like exquisite and unique handmade art can have the opportunity to choose a few unique collections. Then head to Kentucky's famous breeding farm. Finally head to Noah's Ark theme park in Kentucky.
schedule:
Hotel → Kentucky Folk Art Center (30 minutes) → Kentucky Stud Farm (at your own expense, 75 minutes) → Noah's Ark Theme Park (at your own expense, 3 hours) → hotel
Hotel: Best Western Green Tree Inn or Similar.
Attractions
Located in the Grant County at Kentucky, Ark Encounter is famous Christian fundamentalist and enthusiastic theme park which was open for public in the mid-year of 2016. The iconic Noah's Ark is famous tourist’s attraction among countless other similar attractions.
1. A working horse farm and also an educational theme park, Kentucky Horse Park is dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. Lots of horse shows and some special events are hosted here throughout the year.
After departing in the morning, we arrived at Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, with the majestic appearance of the state capitol building. After lunch, arrive in West Lafayette and visit Purdue University, which is known as the public Ivy. Afterwards, we will return to Chicago.
schedule:
Hotel → Indianapolis → Indiana State Capitol (exterior, 30 minutes) → West Lafayette → Purdue University (at your own expense, 90 minutes, including lunch time) → Chicago
Attractions
Historical records tells us that Capitol city was relocated from Corydon to Indianapolis in the year 1825. The building was constructed in 1888 from precious materials like white oak and limestone.
The region of Indianapolis is recognized as the largest metropolitan of Indiana State. The city is located on the Midwestern's northeast central region. The city is also the capital of Indiana State (USA).
Purdue University was founded in 1860. Its main campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana.It has the fourth largest population of international students among all universities in the United States. It provides over 200 major programs for undergraduates and more than 70 in masters and doctoral.
Located an hour drive from State capital Indianapolis, the West Lafayette City has a unique attraction from its attractions. West Lafayette houses the leading Purdue University, a wide number of museums, galleries, as well as the city is known to be the most populated in the entire US State of Indiana.
The order of itinerary may change without any notice depending on weather situations or for some other unforeseen circumstances.
The order of activities held during the tour is planned by the tour guide. So, it may be different from what is mentioned on the tour page. On fewer occasions, Tour Guide has to skip an attraction or few during the tour depending on weather, traffic, group interest or some other reason.
Some attractions are seasonal. So, when they are closed they will be replaced with some other attraction.
You can skip some optional activities during the tour and plan something on your own. Make sure that you coordinate with Tour guide and stay with the group with next activity. Please note you cannot stay on the bus if you skip some optional activity.
Probable hotel names are mentioned in the itinerary. It can be similar or a different hotel of the similar rating. Exact Hotel details can only be provided one day before the departure.
Maximum 4 people of any age can stay in 1 Room in the hotel.
These tours are conducted in a group. A group can have people of several cultures. We expect each person to coordinate with Tour guide to make sure things are on track.
Though attractions are optional but you have to at least take 2 attractions.
Pricing
What's Included
Most of the tours are carried out in air conditioned bus. A minivan can also be used depending on the number of people booking the tour.
Hotel Accommodation is included in tour.
This is a guided tour.
All Taxes are included.
What's Excluded
Dolly Parton's Stampede, TN Adult: $$72.36/Per Person, Child: $44.77/Per Person Valid from 11/1/2019-12/31/2019
Rates could alter without prior notice.
Fee for all Optional Activities and entrance paid in cash to the tour guide. He will arrange tickets for the whole group. Some attractions might be closed on public holidays. Seasonal attractions will be closed after a certain time and itinerary will be changed based on it. Optional activities price may change or can be different as displayed on the website.
Guide will arrange meals and drinks when requested as they are not included in the package.
Daily Service charges for driver and the guide is $12 minimum per person.
Such expenses as telephone services, alcoholic drinks, beverages and laundry services which are private room services.
Services related to travel insurance.
Other personal expenses.
Important:We never encourage customers to purchase admission packages from outside sources and try using them in this tour with discount. If they do, they must arrange transport on the same day. If you skip some attraction, you cannot do it on your own. You can sit near the bus or visit some nearby place, but you will not be allowed to sit in the bus.
Attraction Prices
| Attractions | Adult | Child(2-11 yrs) | Senior(65+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ark Encounter, KY | $51.41 | $27.00 | $40.81 |
| Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, TN | $83.40 | $42.57 | $83.40 |
| Graceland (Elvis Presley Mansion), TN | $49.75 | $28.00 | $49.75 |
| Kentucky Horse Park, KY | $20.00 | $12.00 | $20.00 |
| New Orleans Night Tour, LA | $25.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| Oak Alley Plantation, LA | $27.00 | $9.00 | $27.00 |
| Purdue University, IN | $10.00 | $7.00 | $10.00 |
| Swamp Boat tour, IL | $27.00 | $16.00 | $27.00 |
All the prices are listed in USD.
Any Amount paid in cash to the Tour Guide is not refundable.
Tour display price is based on double occupancy. It is the price each person will pay if a group of two is traveling.
Prices may change without any notice.
Prices include hotel accommodation, transportation and taxes.
Admission Tickets to different places and meals are NOT included in the tour price.
Mandatory Tip for tour guide and driver are NOT included.
Only the tour guide can purchase entrance tickets for you. Pre-purchased tickets are NOT acceptable.
There must be at least one passenger of 18 years for every booking made with GoldenBusTours. For Children between the age group of 2 to 14 years, a different price will be charged. Please refer to Child price on our pricing calendar. Child Age may vary between different bus operators. Maximum 4 people of any age can stay in 1 Room in the hotel. If the 5th person is infant you will be charged normally then with the second room as an expense.
Activities are optional though, but each customer has to participate in 2 activities at least. No city pass allowed. Some attractions are mandatory. Each customer has to take part in them and have to pay for them in cash.
Departure Location
Return Location
Important Notes
Arrive at departure location 10 to 15 minutes before the mentioned time to make sure you catch the bus on time. If in case you are late, the bus will not wait for you at the location and ultimately you will miss the entire tour (no refund in this case).
Return time on the website is just an estimation. Expect some variation always. Time may change depending on traffic and weather situations
There is a possibility that tour operator may use a shuttle to drop you off at the return location. It usually happens in the case of multiple return locations.
You can leave the tour at any place only after signing a Tour Departure Form for leaving the tour early.
Please note that price will stay the same even if you leave the tour early.
If you have booked a pre-tour hotel stay, then you will have to arrange your own transport from hotel to departure location.
If you have booked extra night hotel after the tour, then you will arrange transport from drop off point to hotel.
On West Coast tours some bus operators have a lot of departure locations. A slow start is expected on these tours.
Policies
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Determination of the time of cancellation will be done when the notice is received and confirmed by our office. You must make any notice of cancellation directly to GoldenBusTours by email or webmail at the Contact Us section.
Cancellation charges
⇒ 16 days or more prior to departure, 10% of the tour fees will be charged as cancellation.
⇒ 9 to 15 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour fees will be charged as cancellation.
⇒ Within 8 days prior to departure, 100% tour fees will be charged as cancellation.
Any Amount paid in cash to the Tour Guide is not refundable.
There is no refund for unused features. You forfeit the entire payment when you are a no-show on the departure date and unable to join the tour for any reason including COVID.
An add-on fee of 6% for handling fees is charged in addition to the above penalties. No matter what the reason for cancellation is, the processing fee will be deducted on each refund.
In order for there not to be a cancellation, a minimum number of participants are required. We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip although every effort is made by us to ensure that normal operations are maintained. We reserve the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure with respect to operating requirements or circumstances beyond control. In case a cancellation is made at any given moment in time before departure, our only liability as GoldenBusTours will be to refund you the amount we received for the booking of the tour. We will try our best to re-book the same or similar tour if the future travel plan suits you. We are not responsible for any cancellation penalties that may have been incurred on any other travel arrangements like separate purchase of air tickets, visa cost, taxi fare etc. We are not liable for any other travel arrangements that have been affected as a result of the cancellations.
Note: More than 30 days after the completion of the tour, we cannot grant any refunds. Each Cancellation Request must be received in writing by email.
Cancellation and reschedule charges are applicable even if you are NOT able to take the tour because of visa rejection, COVID or any other serious issue. If you reschedule a tour and later decide to cancel it then cancellation charges will be applicable to the original departure date and not to the rescheduled one.
Reservation, Booking & Redemption
Terms & Conditions
Any travel service purchases indicate your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions set out herein.
You are advised to carefully read through and understand these Terms & Conditions before making your booking.
Tour Confirmation
You will get an email immediately once you place an order. Tour Confirmation usually takes 2, 3 days except for urgent order. Urgent orders can be confirmed in a day or even few hours, but we can’t assure success in these cases. On fewer occasions, some of the others may require a longer period of time for confirmation. You are advised not to book airline tickets unless you have received the confirmation.
E-Ticket (Mandatory to be on bus)
Your e-ticket includes complete operator information such as local telephone numbers at your destination. You are required to print the e-tickets and bring them along with you on the trip. They will be needed as proof of purchase.
Changes in Booking
You may incur a fee for any revisions or alterations made to the reservation when the booking has already been confirmed. Cancellation fees may be applied to things such as name changes or corrections. They may also apply to tour date changes or tour itinerary changes. Please note that no departure changes are permitted 72 hours before departure.
Changes in Tour Itinerary
We are continuously striving to improve tour itineraries and features. In the event of unforeseen circumstances that are beyond the control, we do reserve the right to vary the itineraries and to substitute hotels. Duplicate departures may operate during certain peak periods, sometimes in reverse order. As such, hotels may vary from those included on the itinerary pages.
Reschedule
If you want to reschedule your tour (change the departure date or choose a different tour) then a reschedule fees may be applied. No reschedule request will be entertained within 15 days before the departure date.
Cancellation and reschedule charges are applicable even if you are NOT able to take the tour because of visa rejection.
Pricing
1. One room can accommodate maximum 4 people. Even if you are 5 people including 1 month old baby you still need 2 rooms.
2. If you can carry your child up to 2 years of age then you do not need to book seats for him. It may vary from one tour to another.
3. Service providers hold the right to change the itinerary and hotel arrangements without any notice.
4. Child (0-9 years) and Single traveler going on the tour have special rates. These prices vary from one tour to another.
5. Meals and Attractions are not included. You can ask your tour guide to try to arrange the meal for you as per your requirements. For attractions, admission fees pay it to the tour guide on the tour.
6. Prices may change without any notice because of prices fluctuation in the market.
7. All prices mentioned on the website are in US dollars.
8. In Case of Bank Wire Transfer customer have to bear Wire transfer fee.
9. Tour package price is inclusive of taxes.
10. Tour Prices are every individual and in view of room inhabitance.
11. Final hotels booked may not be same as the one mentioned on the website.
Child rates are applicable for children between (0-12 years) of age. Parents are advised to bring car seats for the safety of their child.
Buy 2 Get 3rd discounted: Get 3rd Ticket on special discounted rates on the purchase of 2 tickets.
Responsibility
3. Before booking any tour make sure to go through every detail like tour itinerary, tour price, cancellation policy, reschedule and refund policies. Tour Guide will be Chinese and English or it can only be chinese based on the group size.
4. You should either bring a printed copy of your E-Ticket or bring it in your smartphone on the day of tour departure. You should also bring a valid photo ID along with your E-Ticket. In the case of any issues for not carrying E-Ticket or Photo ID GoldenBusTour will not be responsible.
5.Make sure to provide a valid phone number so we can reach you in the case of any emergency.
6. Please read all important notes, inclusion, exclusion section, terms and conditions, policies and below notes.
6a. Tour Operator holds the right to cancel the tour at any time depending on poor weather condition or some other unforeseen circumstances. However, GoldenBusTour will update its customers about the cancellation and shall not be held accountable for charges other than tour fees.
6b. Change in tour price will not affect any confirmed booking.
6c. Tour Operator can change the order of itinerary at any time without any notice.
7.You will be responsible for your travel documents during the tour.
8.Reach Departure location about 20 to 30 minutes before departure time. Unfortunately, no one will wait for you in case you get in late. The bus mostly has Bus Operator name and logo on it. Even if you are five minutes late and miss the bus then GoldenBusTours or Tour Operator will not be responsible. There will be no refund in this case. You will be charged 100% tour fee.
Reviews
Reviews
Yashovarman
we toured so many places on our 7-day exciting bus tour which picked us all from the Chicago city. The Elvis Presley mansion at the Memphis city was the one attraction which I read so much about in a novel and I didn’t even know that it was located there, love his music. Anyways, the entire seven days on tour were spent well. Oak Alley Plantation, French style region in the New Orleans, Great Smoky Mountains, Kentucky Horse Park, Purdue institute, all are now in my new best visiting list. I would just love to depart on this tour again! But one couldn’t get enough of the beauty of the places and fun on board.
Lijuan
the cultural diversity can be found in America at various regions. But the best of all is at the New Orleans. I remember that morning we arrived at the New Orleans at where had the coffee was the area inhabited with French community and had their own style architecture, shops, and cafes. We also saw the Saint Louis’s iconic Gateway Arch. Chattanooga city was the indeed the best, my grandfather born there, the mountainous scenic views on the way made me wonder that our country is so wonderful. The tour was not so excellent but it was just fine.
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