Music in America is steeped in history, from jazz to rock ‘n’ roll and traditional country. As a music fan, the chance to check out the United States’ best music cities is one you will not wish to pass up. No matter where your tastes lie, the wonderful art of music has an appeal that goes beyond categories, so enjoy this list of the best US locations for checking out music history.
So, here are the best music cities in the US.
1. Graceland (Memphis, Tennessee)
When someone discusses music royalty, you’ll likely consider Elvis Presley. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Graceland Mansion is an apt location to start a journey into music history. That it stands in Memphis, Tennessee, one of the prime music cities in the United States, probably will not go unnoticed either.
Graceland offers several tours for music connoisseurs, with the Archives UVIP tour standing apart. You’ll delight in the Graceland archives in the business of a professional guide, experience a Q&A session with the archivists, see a personal VIP display and enjoy an Elvis artifact show and tell. Before leaving, you’ll see the EPM Home entertainment Complex and the King’s custom-made jet collection. Lastly, a VIP picture chance and invoice of a celebratory VIP badge will mark the end of an amazing experience.
Your Memphis experience has actually just started, though. While fans are still mourning the current hiatus of the Beale Street Musical Celebration, there’s still plenty more to see. For a thrilling live music experience, head down to Beale Street and take in the royal ambience of BB King’s Blues Club, where you can appreciate traditional Southern comfort food and dance the night away to blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
The 6 Finest Music Cities
in the US 2. Radio City Music Hall (New York, New York)Explore the fantastic stage, the Roxy Suite and Radio City’s iconic architecture in the steps of the Radio City Rockettes and some musical legends at Radio City’s famed 6th Avenue location.
With Hugh Jackman, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, and the Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge taking the phase in 2025, the musical history of the renowned venue will continue growing.
New York City is an exceptional location if you’ve got kids, and it’s likewise fantastic for live music buffs. Madison Square Garden in Midtown, Carnegie Hall in Midtown and the Beacon Theater on the Upper West Side are three of the more well-known destinations. A trip to Greenwich Village can include lots of places where Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta carried out before discovering fame with “The Popularity” as Lady Gaga. Have a look at the Appeal Bar, The Bitter End and the Cornelia Street Cafe, amongst them.
Related read: Where To Remain In New York City
The 6 Best Music
Cities in the United States 3. Grand Ole Opry(Nashville, Tennessee)If Memphis is a prime destination, Nashville is Tennessee’s music capital, particularly if you’re a c and w fan. The Grand Ole Opry is one of the most popular c and w locations and remains the dream performance location of every aspiring c and w artist as it nears its 100th birthday.
The Grand Ole Opry’s hallowed phase has hosted many stars in the United States. From the Daddy of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, and a teenage Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis, the Byrds and Johnny Cash, popular musical artists have actually appeared at the Opry en masse. Money fulfilled his future wife, June Carter, on the day of his Opry debut in 1956.
Tours of the revered venue include the Opry 100 Exclusive tour, where you’ll take pleasure in the post-show backstage environment while sipping on the legendary backstage lemonade. Besides seeing some special Opry souvenirs and pictures, you might win a setlist from the night’s entertainment, signed by among the artists. When you leave, you’ll have an Opry 100 commemorative pin to take with you.
While you remain in the city, make certain to visit Ole Red, a honkytonk and nation bar owned by Blake Shelton, the nation superstar, or Legends Corner, sometimes often visited by artists as popular as Kid Rock, Toby Keith, Darrius Rucker and Justin Moore.
4. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio)
The state of Ohio has spawned world-renowned artists and bands as popular and varied as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Filter, The James Gang, Marc Cohn, 9 Inch Nails, the Raspberries, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Henry Mancini. Considering this, it most likely makes sense that Cleveland, Ohio, is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Popularity. Aptly placed on Rock & Roll Boulevard, the location features several exhibits and display screens noted as levels.
You’ll start your journey at Level 0, where thousands of items tell the story of early rock through to emerging artists. Level 1 hosts the museum shop, the All-Access Coffee Shop, the Klipsch live music stage and a Backstage Stories display. From there, things only get more fascinating, with another 4 levels of displays, including a Pink Floyd tour replica of The Wall– the band’s memorable 1990 Berlin performance. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame experience is one you shouldn’t miss.
After your extraordinary meander through the Hall of Popularity, some live music will likely tickle your fancy, and the House of Blues Cleveland will do perfectly. Despite its capability of a couple of thousand, the music place emits a cool and intimate atmosphere where you can take in some high-quality rock and blues sounds. Southern-inspired dishes and some chilled drinks are on the menu– best of all, the music is totally free.
The 6 Best Music Cities in the US 5. New Orleans Jazz Museum( New Orleans, Louisiana )If you enjoy the home cooking, welcoming hospitality and vibrant music scene in the Southern US, a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, will suit you perfectly. A check out to the New Orleans Jazz Museum, one of many noteworthy music museums, will allow you to learn about the abundant history of jazz, which came from amongst the New Orleans African-American neighborhood near the start of the 1900s.
There are some interesting exhibits, consisting of “Everything Started in Jane Alley,” which takes you on a journey through the early life of Louis Armstrong. It highlights his influences– including coach Joe “King” Oliver– and how New Orleans shaped his identity, love for jazz and career. Many other fascinating and revealing displays make the museum a worthy location for music lovers. You may even catch a live music occasion or presentation if you’re there at the right time.
Otherwise, head down to the outstanding Preservation Hall in the New Orleans French Quarter, but do not anticipate to buy beverages– they don’t serve them. In keeping with tradition, you likewise will not find any washrooms. Purchase your tickets online beforehand, and head to the vibrant Identified Feline nearby if you enjoy with a cash bar and fancy some old-time jazz and swing.
Related read: Chilling Encounters: Haunted Homes in New Orleans
The 6 Best Music Cities in the US 6. C.F.
Martin & Co. Museum (Nazareth, Pennsylvania )Make your way up the East Coast to Pennsylvania for another wonderful musical experience. Take the 100-mile journey from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and visit the Martin Museum at 510 Sycamore Street to view a remarkable and comprehensive collection of Martin guitars. Over 100 guitars are on screen, including the earliest known Martin and the world-renowned Dreadnought guitar, played by the likes of Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison. Kurt Cobain’s D-18 guitar, strummed on Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged, is another on program in the museum.
Come as you are and enjoy free entry, or make a donation to the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation. During your visit, stop to take in the Martin ukulele collection and the mandolins, which were the very first instruments that C.F. Martin & Co. built with steel strings, fingerboard inlays and pickguards. The museum likewise showcases its # 1,000,000 and the # 2,000,000 “View Guitar” as showpiece instruments.
If you are inspired after the Martin Museum and seek live music events in Pennsylvania, XL Live is Harrisburg’s latest and largest music location. It features modern digital sound and lighting and accommodates numerous age with chill rooms, bars and scrumptious light meals.
Other Historical Music Locations– Respectable Mentions
There’s no other way to cover every excellent destination for exploring United States music history, so consider these others if you’re nearby:
- Paisley Park (Chanhassen, Minnesota): Paisley Park is the late, fantastic Prince’s personal estate and production house, where he recorded the majority of his records. It’s open for public trips and hosts numerous exhibits revolving around another member of music royalty.
- Motown Museum (Detroit, Michigan): Home of Hitsville U.S.A., the Motown Museum offers interactive trips with curated displays that include Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and many other well-known Motown recording artists.
- Mercer Music at Capricorn (Macon, Georgia): Besides the famous Capricorn recording studio, formed after soul terrific Otis Redding’s death, you can check out the museum with displays predominantly committed to Capricorn soul artists like Percy Sledge and Southern rockers, the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band.
Choose Your Music History Locations According to Your Journeys
No matter where you go in the U.S., you’ll always discover a historical music destination to visit. Music played a tremendous part in American history and continues to do so today, so pick an enlightening and captivating piece of music history to call on, wherever your journeys may take you. Remember to likewise take in some excellent live home entertainment when you’re there!
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View all posts Jack Shaw is a writer and world traveler currently functioning as the senior Outdoors editor of Modded. He has an excellent love of travel and devotes much of his writing to teaching individuals how to navigate the world securely and effectively. You can discover his composing on sites like Duluth Load, The Travel Publication, EcoHotels and more.