The Corridors: Music from Chicago to New Orleans

Start with the iconic attractions of Chicago: the Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as The Bean, at Millennium Park, and the new Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Treat yourself to a unique experience with 360-degree views of four states from the top of the famous Willis Tower: take a deep breath and step out onto The Ledge, a glass cube suspended 103 floors above the city! Chicago is not lacking in educational and interactive museums, from The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium to the wonderful Art Institute of Chicago. Let loose at the annual Chicago Blues Festival or at venues like Buddy Guy's Legends. Indulge in Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza at Gino's East or Lou Malnati's, or enjoy a hot dog at one of the many local spots. Immerse yourself in the thriving craft beer scene with a visit and a pint at a local brewery, such as Half Acre.

The skyline is the first thing that strikes anyone arriving in Chicago, the capital of the Midwest on the shores of Lake Michigan. The most famous architects of the 20th century - two among all, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van de Rohe - transformed its appearance after the 1871 fire that completely destroyed it, and the city now offers some of the most remarkable examples of contemporary architecture. In addition, there are modern works of art in Millennium Park and in every square, extraordinary museums such as the Art Institute, and a vibrant music scene with high-quality jazz, blues, and rock music venues.

From Chicago, take the historic Route 66 to discover a piece of authentic America. This famous road, which stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles, covers 483 km in Illinois and is dotted with homemade cafes, quirky shops, and unique attractions that line the road. Take a photo in front of the imposing Railsplitter Covered Wagon in Lincoln, or in front of the enormous pink elephant near the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston. Discover the highlights of Route 66 in Pontiac, at the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum. From here, drive about two hours south to immerse yourself in the life of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum, the Old State Capitol, and the Lincoln Home.

Taste a "root beer float" (carbonated beverage combined with ice cream and syrup) or a giant banana split at Doc's Soda Fountain in Girard, Illinois, along Route 66 (just 30 minutes from Springfield) while heading to St. Louis. Here, you can visit the Gateway Arch, the tallest monument in the United States. The arch has welcomed visitors for 50 years with its famous shape. Born from an idea by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the Gateway Arch commemorates Thomas Jefferson's vision and St. Louis' role in the westward expansion of the United States. St. Louis is also known for its unique music scene. Visit the Soulard neighborhood to find high-level live music or enjoy delicious dishes with background music at one of the trendy bistros in the suburbs, or spend the evening exploring the Loop with its clubs, ethnic restaurants, and unique boutiques. Take some time to visit Blueberry Hill (where Chuck Berry regularly performed) or The Beale on Broadway to listen to live Blues, Soul, and R&B, and don't miss the National Blues Museum.

No music tour would ever be complete without a stop in Nashville, Tennessee, the home of country music. At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, touchscreen displays and memorabilia trace the history of country music from its origins to the present day. The museum also offers a tour of RCA Studio B, where artists like Dolly Parton recorded their songs. The Grand Ole Opry is the perfect place to see contemporary country music stars perform and to listen to different genres of music. Attend a concert at the Ryman Auditorium, a former church that was also once the home of the Opry. Nearby, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (whose Art Deco architecture alone is worth a visit) showcases new forms of art. Feeling hungry? Look for a "meat-and-three" restaurant, where you can choose a main meat dish and three sides from a homestyle menu. Don't miss the breaded and fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, corn, and collard greens seasoned with pork. Extend your stay in Nashville to see everything the city has to offer.

Return to the Great River Road and head towards the Mississippi River in the direction of Memphis, Tennessee. In this city, a pilgrimage destination for music lovers, you can visit the Sun Studio, where legends of Blues and Rock like B.B. King and Elvis Presley recorded some of their early hits. To learn more about Elvis Presley's daily life, you can visit his home at the Graceland estate. At the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the rhythm shifts to soul and gospel. Here, artifacts from Stax label artists are on display, including Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes, whose gold-plated Cadillac is showcased inside the museum. To discover Memphis's contemporary sound, take a walk along Beale Street, where live music seems to emanate from every open door. Additionally, the aroma of barbecue fills the city streets. Taste the local specialties, including dry-rubbed ribs and smoked pulled-pork sandwiches.

Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Located at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49 (the mythical Crossroads, where legend has it that bluesman Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to become a legendary guitarist), Clarksdale is a languid city in the Mississippi Delta, in a flat landscape marked by railroad tracks that disappear on the horizon, and shacks that blend with the signs of emerging tourism brought here by the blues, the music that was born here in the early 20th century and has indelibly marked all subsequent music. The legendary highway 61 brought blues legends like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and B.B. King from the poverty of cotton plantations to northern cities, from Memphis to Chicago. Must-see stops include Crossroads, Delta Blues Museum, housed in a 1918 train station, Riverside Hotel, once a hospital for African Americans where the famous singer Bessie Smith died in a car accident in 1937. For great music and typical cuisine, Ground Zero Blues Club, owned by Morgan Freeman; live music from Wednesday to Saturday (subject to change). Every year in mid-April, Clarksdale hosts the Juke Joint Festival, featuring the best artists of the genre.

On the way to the Natchez Trace Parkway, stop in Indianola, Mississippi. Visit the B.B. King Museum to learn more about the man who helped make the blues so popular and turned it into a true American art form. Continue on the Natchez Trace Parkway towards Natchez, the oldest settlement in Mississippi. The journey will take you close to plantations from the past and restored mansions dating back to the pre-Civil War period. Take some time to visit some of these incredible homes that tell the story of the South.

The last part of your trip takes you to New Orleans, Louisiana, where the mighty Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, make a stop in Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana and the heart of the state. Baton Rouge is the perfect place to experience the eclectic culture of this fantastic state. The city has a history of over 300 years, many of which can be seen in its unique architecture, tasted in its delicious local food, and experienced through its unique culture. After visiting Baton Rouge, head towards New Orleans. With its centuries-old cottages and elaborate historic cemeteries, the city is a photographer's delight.

Guided tours are the ideal way to discover more about this special place. Take part in a walk through the historic French Quarter, or a tour of the cemeteries, voodoo, and ghost folklore. New Orleans is also a city rich in music. Preservation Hall hosts superb musicians who take turns on stage to play traditional New Orleans jazz in an intimate and acoustic atmosphere. Arrive early and queue for a standing spot, or plan in advance to purchase one of the few seated spots. Among other places in the city, Frenchmen Street is the center of live music, dotted with venues like The Spotted Cat Music Club. The cozy venue hosts three groups every night, offering the audience different forms of jazz. Cuisine and cocktail culture are also essential to fully experience New Orleans. From outdoor bars to elegant restaurants, you will find endless interpretations of local dishes, such as beignets covered in powdered sugar, aromatic jambalaya, and spicy and smoked Andouille sausage. Home to events like Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, as well as the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, New Orleans is the perfect destination to conclude your trip.

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