Epic American Road Trip: NYC to NOLA Extended to Chicago via Memphis

Loving the road trip vibe, we extended our NYC-to-NOLA journey northward to Chicago via Memphis, Tennessee.

On our final morning in New Orleans, we explored Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, famously featured in Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (both book and film). This historic site, with its white above-ground tombs dating back to 1789, offered a peaceful, shaded retreat—all to ourselves amid its pop culture fame.

With heavy hearts—but knowing we'd return—we bid farewell to New Orleans and drove north through Louisiana's swamps, crossing Mississippi to arrive in Memphis late afternoon. We headed straight to Beale Street, the legendary Home of the Blues.

Though many blues icons launched here, Beale felt over-commercialized and pricey, a shadow of its past. Much of Memphis disappointed us too, but Graceland was a highlight!

Even without deep Elvis knowledge, skipping Graceland seemed unthinkable. It's like a 1970s 'Cribs' episode: shag carpets on floors and ceilings, 8-tracks by the stereo, white leather couches, mirrored bedroom ceilings. Yet the 'normal' kitchen, as Lisa Marie notes on the audio tour, was the home's heart.

We toured the $200,000 racquetball court, stables, auto museum, and Presley family gravesites, still receiving global flowers daily. Elvis's passion endures worldwide.

After viewing Elvis's two private jets, we continued up I-55 to Chicago. After 3,000 miles across 15 states, 'home' felt wonderful—even briefly. We arrived just in time for my birthday celebration with lifelong friends!

We'll catch up with friends and family, work diligently, then head to Bangkok for Southeast Asia. With a stable base, expect in-depth coverage of our Great American Road Trip: destinations, food highlights, America observations, and more.

Thanks for joining our 2011 Great American Road Trip from NYC to NOLA and Chicago—your tips made it unforgettable!