Road Trip Down the Blues Highway, U.S. Route 61

Next up is the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Memphis, TN. This museum is a must-visit for any fan of the blues and blues history. When you first walk in you're given a set of headphones that guide you through the exhibits. You begin by learning about the roots of blues and country, and how this genre of music started on farms and plantations, and then you'll move on up through the years. Another cool feature is that there are jukeboxes in the exhibit rooms, so you can hear music from each time period.

Next up is Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel. Just around the corner from Graceland (the hotel is literally steps away), the Heartbreak Hotel is a fun 1950's-inspired hotel that Elvis fans (and just visitors to Memphis) will thoroughly enjoy. Rooms are actually contemporary and modern, with fun photos of Elvis hanging on the walls. Wifi is free and there are channels on the TV that show only Elvis movies. TIP: Ask to upgrade to one of their suites to really experience what it was like to be the King of Rock and Roll. Plan to spend time in the heart-shaped pool, and the jungle-themed lounge. The hotel also offers rides to Beale Street, where you'll find loads of bars featuring live blues, at night for a modest fee.

No trip down the Blues Trail is complete without a stop at the Highway 61 Blues Museum. There's a small fee once you get in, which is more of a donation. If you're lucky, Mr. Pat Thomas will play guitar while you peruse the exhibits and memorabilia in the three rooms.

If you like the music of B.B. King, you have to stop at the B. B. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi! It's a wonderful tribute to one of America's most prolific musicians. The museum is also pretty hands-on, and you can mix your own music and even play the guitar, or sit in the same chair at B.B. himself sat in. Admission is $15 per person, or if you have a student ID it's only $10. There are tour guides onsite and a short film to start off your experience. Since there's so much to do and see, budget at least 2 hours. Also, King is buried in the back of the museum, so be sure to pay your respects.

When you're ready to call it a night, head to the Natchez Grand Hotel. The location is phenomenal, on a bluff with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. The hotel is just a two minute walk from the casino, and a couple miles from Natchez National Historic Park. There's wifi and some suites have balconies and whirlpool tubs. There's also an outdoor pool and a free hot breakfast.

To learn more about the history of the small towns along the Blues Highway, visit the Rural Life Museum. This is an especially great place to stop if you're a history buff. There are self-guided tours across the 40-acre living history Burden Plantation.

While in Baton Rouge, check out Doe's Eat Place. This is a local favorite, casual dining steakhouse. The steak, beef tamales, and honey-covered drop biscuits are highly recommended, plus their bartender is an award-winning mixologist who crafts delicious cocktails!

If you want a relaxing and peaceful stay, you can't get much better than the cottages at The Cajun Village in Sorrento, Louisiana. There are rockers on the front porch and you could spend forever just hanging out for the afternoon. It's the perfect, laid-back, rustic Southern getaway.

And once you cruise into New Orleans, you don't even have to go inside to listen to music...although there's tons of awesome joints to stop into, like Tipitina's. By now, you should be an expert, so go ahead and sing along.