Noteworthy Destinations for the Music-Loving Traveler
Friday, January 31, 2025This is a collaborative post
Nashville
Aptly nicknamed Music City, Nashville in Tennessee offers the greatest of experiences for country music enthusiasts, but there's also so much more. Head on one of the many Nashville tours available, and you'll see all of the iconic venues, like the Grand Ole Opry, which hosts live performances every Friday and Saturday, showcasing both rising stars and legends in the country music scene. Additionally, the “Mother Church of Country Music,” commonly known as the Ryman Auditorium, is renowned as one of the country’s finest music venues, and the Ryman offers backstage tours where visitors can stand on the same stage graced by the icons of country music like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash. But also, don't forget the smaller venues, like the Bluebird Cafe, which is famous for its songwriter nights. Visitors can experience Nashville's rich songwriting traditions up close and personal.
New Orleans
The birthplace of jazz, New Orleans in Louisiana deserves your time! Home to many museums, including the Backstreet Cultural Museum full of exhibits on brass bands and Treme's Petit Jazz Museum, the big one is the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which offers a variety of interactive displays, listening stations, and is the veritable one-stop shop if you want to find out about jazz history.
New Orleans is one of the most vibrant places in all of the world, music or not, and you should absolutely stop at one of the live music venues, particularly Frenchmen Street, where visitors can hop from club to club and get their fill of jazz, blues, and funk performances.
Los Angeles
Nobody talks about LA as being a fabled music town for obvious reasons; however, Los Angeles is a haven for hip-hop and rock enthusiasts alike. LA has got several hip-hop history locations, including the site of the former VIP Records, where Warren G, Snoop Dogg, and many others recorded their first demo.
The Echo/Echoplex is considered one of the best spots in LA for hip-hop shows, hosting both established artists and up-and-coming talents. For those people who prefer the mighty axe, the Sunset Strip deserves a place in your pilgrimage. While in its heyday, The Strip was a non-stop party scene, these days there are iconic venues like the Whisky a Go Go, where many rock stars have drank the night away. For museum enthusiasts, the Grammy Museum, located in LA's LA Live complex, has four floors of interactive exhibits, memorabilia from legends like Michael Jackson and Elvis, and many displays on various music genres. What's more, the 200-seat Clive Davis Theater hosts live performances on a regular basis.
Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee, is a legendary musical destination. Renowned as the birthplace of rock and roll and blues, there's a wealth of highlights. Sun Studio, credited with recording the first rock and roll tracks, should be on your bucket list, especially if you're a massive fan of Elvis Presley, where he got his start. And you've got to visit Beale Street, America's most iconic street and Tennessee's most visited attraction. On any day, you'll see free concerts at W.C. Handy Park and live music pumping out of every venue. Make sure you also stop at some of the most notable venues, including the Blues Hall and BB King’s Blues Club.
Detroit
Known as the birthplace of Motown, Detroit, Michigan, is home to a rich musical heritage. Motown Museum, also known as Hitsville USA, is home to the legendary Studio A, where many Motown hits were recorded, and features exhibits with costumes, photos, and records, as well as guided tours showcasing Motown founder Berry Gordy's upstairs apartment and the original recording equipment.
For those looking for more, the Detroit MoTours gives you a whistle-stop tour of past and present Detroit artists. Make sure you stop at the Detroit Historical Museum, which features the Kid Rock Music Lab, an interactive exhibit highlighting Detroit's influence on many other music genres.
Atlanta
Atlanta is home to many of your favorite artists, whether they originally hail from the city or moved there post-fame, it’s a hub for musicians from various genres. It’s the place where trap music was born and is home the Trap Music Museum. Whether you’re dining around town or checking out a local sporting event, you’re likely to see an artist you know and love doing the same thing. Music venues, both large and small, are sprinkled around the city, well-known music stores like Criminal Records are located in Atlanta, and there are a variety of famous recording studios in the area too. There’s so many music-related options to add to your itinerary when you’re in the A.
If you're after something more than lazing by the pool or can't stand the idea of hiking everywhere, but actually need to get up close and personal with your favorite artists, these destinations should be on your traveling bucket list!
If you're after something more than lazing by the pool or can't stand the idea of hiking everywhere, but actually need to get up close and personal with your favorite artists, these destinations should be on your traveling bucket list!
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