16 days in United States Itinerary

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Chicago is known for museums, historic sites, nightlife, zoos & aquariums, and childrens museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, engage your brain at Museum of Science and Industry, meet the residents at Shedd Aquarium, and stroll through Lincoln Park Zoo.

To see ratings, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Chicago online vacation planner .

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Chicago is an approximately 11-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Time (CET) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 7 hours. Traveling from Amsterdam in October, you will find days in Chicago are somewhat warmer (21°C), and nights are about the same (11°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Mon) early enough to drive to Indianapolis.

Indiana's capital and most populous city, Indianapolis is best known for its racecar events and impressive museums, and as the hometown of Kurt Vonnegut.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Tue): make a trip to Central Canal, see the interesting displays at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, then explore the engaging exhibits at Children's Museum of Indianapolis, then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, and finally enjoy some diversion at Lucas Oil Stadium.

For ratings, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Indianapolis trip planner.

Drive from Chicago to Indianapolis in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. In October in Indianapolis, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 10°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Cincinnati.

Situated on the north bank of the Ohio River, Cincinnati distinguished itself as the only U.S.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Wed): meet the residents at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, and then examine the collection at Creation Museum.

To see photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Cincinnati trip planning tool .

You can drive from Indianapolis to Cincinnati in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 23°C in October, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Louisville.

Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville, is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Thu): examine the collection at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, then sample the fine beverages at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co, then gain some tasty knowledge on a distillery tour, and finally explore the fascinating underground world of Louisville Mega Cavern.

For traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Louisville trip itinerary app .

You can drive from Cincinnati to Louisville in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. October in Louisville sees daily highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can drive to Mammoth Cave National Park.

Mammoth Caves National Park is the longest cave system in the world so far discovered.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Fri): stroll through Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, then Head underground at Diamond Caverns, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Mammoth Cave National Park. Keep things going the next day: hike along Cedar Sink Trail, hike along Fat Man's Misery, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Tall Man's Misery, and finally brush up on your military savvy at Hart County Museum.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Mammoth Cave National Park using our trip planner.

Drive from Louisville to Mammoth Cave National Park in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus and taxi. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In October, daily temperatures in Mammoth Cave National Park can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Nashville.

Known as the capital of country music, the thriving city of Nashville combines old-world southern charm with a progressive urban flair.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sun): have some family-friendly fun at The Escape Game Nashville (Berry Hill), see the interesting displays at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and then sample some tasty brews at a beer tour and tasting. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Mon): take a stroll through Downtown Nashville, take in nature's colorful creations at Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens, and then catch a live performance at Grand Ole Opry.

For photos, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Nashville trip builder site .

You can drive from Mammoth Cave National Park to Nashville in 2 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and bus. In October, daily temperatures in Nashville can reach 28°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) so you can drive to Memphis.

The largest city on the Mississippi River, Memphis bills itself as both the "Birthplace of Rock" and "Home of the Blues." With such a rich musical heritage, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Elvis Presley chose to live in Memphis during his later years.

On the 22nd (Tue), see the interesting displays at Stax Museum of American Soul Music, make a trip to Graceland, then contemplate the long history of Sun Studio, then don't miss a visit to Beale Street, and finally contemplate the long history of The Peabody Ducks.

For where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Memphis day trip planner .

You can drive from Nashville to Memphis in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. October in Memphis sees daily highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to New Orleans.

Known for its Creole cuisine, rich musical tradition, and nearby swamps and plantations, New Orleans is one of the nation's oldest cities.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Wed): take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Louis Cathedral, then get to know the fascinating history of Jackson Square, then learn about all things military at The National WWII Museum, and finally take a stroll through Garden District. Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at New Orleans City Park, then get to know the fascinating history of French Quarter, then look for gifts at Faulkner House Books, and finally go on a hair-raising tour with a ghost and vampire tour.

For ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our New Orleans trip planner .

You can drive from Memphis to New Orleans in 7 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a train. While traveling from Memphis, expect slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in New Orleans, ranging from highs of 22°C to lows of 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Thu) so you can travel to Pigeon Forge.

A tiny town with big tourist appeal, Pigeon Forge bills itself as the "Center of Fun in the Smokies." Just a short drive from the national park protecting the diverse plant and animal life of the Great Smoky Mountains, the town features numerous places to visit, such as bars, restaurants, cafes, theaters, and shops.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Fri): cool off at Dollywood, brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, then sample the fine beverages at Sugarlands Distilling Company, and finally brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine. Keep things going the next day: trek along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, take in the awesome beauty at Mount LeConte, and then take a memorable drive along Newfound Gap Road.

To see photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Pigeon Forge vacation planner.

You can do a combination of car, flight, and taxi from New Orleans to Pigeon Forge in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and taxi; or drive. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. While traveling from New Orleans, expect a bit warmer days and little chillier nights in Pigeon Forge, ranging from highs of 27°C to lows of 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.