Step back in time and walk the same halls of Graceland, home to the King of Rock and Roll. This June, the Colonial Crafts pays tribute to its most famous passenger: Elvis Presley. In 1960, Elvis chartered this very same Pullman from New Jersey to Graceland, after spending two years in Europe serving in the military. After visiting Graceland, he used the Colonial Crafts to travel to Los Angeles and complete his film “G.I. Blues” which he had begun in Germany. Throughout his journey, crowds of fans flocked to train stations across the country to catch a glimpse of the King and his entourage aboard the Colonial Crafts. As we retrace these historic rails, we invite you to enjoy our signature cocktail, “The Elvis,” an homage to his legendary love for peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Our journey starts in Memphis and arrives in New Orleans, the Crescent City, where European charm meets Caribbean soul. We recommend a sample itinerary including a traditional jazz brunch in the heart of the French Quarter, a scenic streetcar ride under the canopy of ancient oaks to visit the Garden District, or an evening of world class brass and blues on Frenchmen Street. You can immerse yourself in the city's rich heritage with a visit to the National WWII Museum, the Mardis Gras Museum where you can see this year’s floats being assembled, a hauntingly beautiful tour of the St. Louis Cemetery, or a stroll through the lush courtyards of Royal Street. Whether you’re indulging in warm, powdered sugar beignets at Café Du Monde, sipping a classic Sazerac at the rotating Carousel Bar, or catching a performance at the historic Preservation Hall, the spirit of this amazing city is yours to discover.

On this journey to New Orleans aboard the Colonial Crafts Pullman car, guests will enjoy an authentic taste of the South’s rich culinary heritage. Begin your day with comforting cheese grits or fluffy oven-baked beignets dusted with powdered sugar, paired with warm biscuits served alongside honey and jam. Lunch and dinner offer a delightful variety of Southern classics including rich gumbo, a tangy fried green tomato BLT, and a creamy pimento cheese sandwich. Heartier fare includes flavorful jambalaya, red beans and rice, collard greens, and traditional cornbread.

For an authentic taste of Southern hospitality, savor smothered pork chops served with rice. Sweet endings come in the form of festive King cake, freshly baked beignets, sweet Southern pralines, and smooth banana pudding. Enjoy these meals alongside a classic café au lait (coffee with milk) with chicory, evoking the spirit of New Orleans with every sip.

Guests can tailor this trip as they desire: get on or off the train at any Amtrak station between Memphis and New Orleans. The pricing for each segment remains the same regardless of where you board or disembark. If you purchase a one-way ticket, you can coordinate the other half of your journey via Amtrak or airplane.

Your ticket price includes all of your meals, along with hors d'oeuvres, snacks, and beverages. Overnight trip segments include your own private bedroom and bathroom. Enjoy historic luxury with personal care by our on-board servers. Passengers who purchase tickets involving an overnight segment will be assigned one of our four private rooms. Each room features an upper and lower berth and an attached private bathroom with a toilet and sink. Our on-board staff makes up each room for daytime travel with comfortable chairs, then folds them away to turn down the bunks while you are at dinner. Whether you are traveling alone or with a friend, you must purchase two tickets to reserve a private room. An all-stainless steel shower room is available at the end of the hallway for use at any time.