Widespread music in America is steeped in historical past, from jazz to rock ‘n’ roll and basic nation. As a music fan, the possibility to go to the United States’ greatest music cities is one you gained’t wish to cross up. Regardless of the place your tastes lie, the magical artwork of music has an enchantment that transcends genres, so take pleasure in this listing of the very best US locations for exploring music historical past.
So, listed below are the very best music cities within the US.
1. Graceland (Memphis, Tennessee)
When any person mentions music royalty, you’ll probably consider Elvis Presley. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Graceland Mansion is an apt place to start a journey into music historical past. That it stands in Memphis, Tennessee, one of many prime music cities within the US, most likely gained’t go unnoticed both.
Graceland presents a number of excursions for music aficionados, with the Archives UVIP tour standing out. You’ll benefit from the Graceland archives within the firm of an professional information, expertise a Q&A session with the archivists, see a personal VIP exhibit and watch an Elvis artifact present and inform. Earlier than leaving, you’ll see the EPM Leisure Complicated and the King’s customized jet assortment. Lastly, a VIP picture alternative and receipt of a commemorative VIP badge will mark the top of an unimaginable expertise.
Your Memphis expertise has solely begun, although. Whereas followers are nonetheless mourning the current hiatus of the Beale Avenue Musical Competition, there’s nonetheless a lot extra to see. For an exhilarating reside music expertise, head all the way down to Beale Avenue and take within the royal atmosphere of BB King’s Blues Membership, the place you possibly can savor conventional Southern consolation meals and dance the night time away to blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
2. Radio Metropolis Music Corridor (New York, New York)
Discover the good stage, the Roxy Suite and Radio Metropolis’s iconic structure within the footsteps of the Radio Metropolis Rockettes and a few musical legends at Radio Metropolis’s famed sixth Avenue venue.
With Hugh Jackman, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, and the Indigo Ladies and Melissa Etheridge taking the stage in 2025, the musical historical past of the famed venue will proceed rising.
New York Metropolis is an excellent vacation spot for those who’ve received children, and it’s additionally superb for reside music buffs. Madison Sq. Backyard in Midtown, Carnegie Corridor in Midtown and the Beacon Theater on the Higher West Aspect are three of the extra well-known locations. A visit to Greenwich Village can embody many venues the place Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta carried out earlier than discovering fame with “The Fame” as Woman Gaga. Try the Magnificence Bar, The Bitter Finish and the Cornelia Avenue Cafe, amongst them.
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3. Grand Ole Opry (Nashville, Tennessee)
If Memphis is a primary vacation spot, Nashville is Tennessee’s music capital, particularly for those who’re a rustic music fan. The Grand Ole Opry is without doubt one of the hottest nation music locations and stays the dream efficiency venue of each aspiring nation music artist because it nears its one centesimal birthday.
The Grand Ole Opry’s hallowed stage has hosted many stars in america. From the Father of Bluegrass, Invoice Monroe, and a teenage Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis, the Byrds and Johnny Money, well-known musical artists have appeared on the Opry en masse. Money met his future spouse, June Carter, on the day of his Opry debut in 1956.
Excursions of the revered venue embody the Opry 100 Unique tour, the place you’ll benefit from the post-show backstage surroundings whereas sipping on the legendary backstage lemonade. In addition to viewing some unique Opry memorabilia and images, you would win a setlist from the night time’s leisure, signed by one of many artists. Whenever you depart, you’ll have an Opry 100 commemorative pin to take with you.
Whilst you’re within the metropolis, you’ll want to go to Ole Crimson, a honkytonk and nation bar owned by Blake Shelton, the nation famous person, or Legends Nook, at instances frequented by artists as fashionable as Child Rock, Toby Keith, Darrius Rucker and Justin Moore.
4. Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio)
The state of Ohio has spawned world-renowned artists and bands as fashionable and numerous as Bone Thugs-n-Concord, Filter, The James Gang, Marc Cohn, 9 Inch Nails, the Raspberries, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Henry Mancini. Contemplating this, it probably is sensible that Cleveland, Ohio, is dwelling to the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame. Aptly positioned on Rock & Roll Boulevard, the vacation spot options a number of displays and shows listed as ranges.
You’ll begin your journey at Stage 0, the place hundreds of things inform the story of early rock by way of to rising artists. Stage 1 hosts the museum retailer, the All-Entry Cafe, the Klipsch reside music stage and a Backstage Tales exhibit. From there, issues solely get extra attention-grabbing, with one other 4 ranges of displays, together with a Pink Floyd tour duplicate of The Wall — the band’s memorable 1990 Berlin live performance. The Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame expertise is one you shouldn’t miss.
After your unforgettable meander by way of the Corridor of Fame, some reside music will probably tickle your fancy, and the Home of Blues Cleveland will do properly. Regardless of its capability of some thousand, the music venue emits a cool and intimate environment the place you possibly can soak up some high-quality rock and blues sounds. Southern-inspired dishes and a few chilled drinks are on the menu — better of all, the music is free.
5. New Orleans Jazz Museum (New Orleans, Louisiana)
For those who love the house cooking, welcoming hospitality and vibrant music scene within the Southern US, a visit to New Orleans, Louisiana, will swimsuit you completely. A go to to the New Orleans Jazz Museum, one in every of many notable music museums, will help you be taught in regards to the wealthy historical past of jazz, which originated among the many New Orleans African-American group close to the beginning of the 1900s.
There are some fascinating displays, together with “It All Began in Jane Alley,” which takes you on a journey by way of the youth of Louis Armstrong. It illustrates his influences — together with mentor Joe “King” Oliver — and the way New Orleans formed his id, love for jazz and profession. Many different fascinating and revealing displays make the museum a worthy vacation spot for music lovers. You would possibly even catch a reside music occasion or presentation for those who’re there on the proper time.
In any other case, head all the way down to the spectacular Preservation Corridor within the New Orleans French Quarter, however don’t anticipate to purchase drinks — they don’t serve them. Consistent with custom, you additionally gained’t discover any restrooms. Purchase your tickets on-line prematurely, and head to the full of life Noticed Cat close by for those who’re pleased with a money bar and fancy some old-time jazz and swing.
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6. C.F. Martin & Co. Museum (Nazareth, Pennsylvania)
Make your method up the East Coast to Pennsylvania for one more unbelievable musical journey. Take the 100-mile journey from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and go to the Martin Museum at 510 Sycamore Avenue to view a tremendous and in depth assortment of Martin guitars. Over 100 guitars are on show, together with the earliest identified Martin and the world-renowned Dreadnought guitar, performed 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 one other on present within the museum.
Come as you’re and luxuriate in free entry, or make a donation to the Martin Guitar Charitable Basis. Throughout your go to, cease to absorb the Martin ukulele assortment and the mandolins, which had been the primary devices that C.F. Martin & Co. constructed with metal strings, fingerboard inlays and pickguards. The museum additionally showcases its #1,000,000 and the #2,000,000 “Watch Guitar” as showpiece devices.
In case you are impressed after the Martin Museum and search reside music occasions in Pennsylvania, XL Reside is Harrisburg’s latest and largest music venue. It options state-of-the-art digital sound and lighting and caters to numerous age teams with chill rooms, bars and scrumptious mild meals.
Different Historic Music Locations — Honorable Mentions
There’s no method to cowl each nice vacation spot for exploring US music historical past, so contemplate these others for those who’re close by:
- Paisley Park (Chanhassen, Minnesota): Paisley Park is the late, nice Prince’s personal property and manufacturing home, the place he recorded most of his information. It’s open for public excursions and hosts a number of displays revolving round one other member of music royalty.
- Motown Museum (Detroit, Michigan): Residence of Hitsville U.S.A., the Motown Museum presents interactive excursions with curated displays that characteristic Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Surprise, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and plenty of different well-known Motown recording artists.
- Mercer Music at Capricorn (Macon, Georgia): In addition to the legendary Capricorn recording studio, fashioned after soul nice Otis Redding’s loss of life, you possibly can go to the museum with displays predominantly devoted to Capricorn soul artists like Percy Sledge and Southern rockers, the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band.
Select Your Music Historical past Locations In line with Your Travels
Regardless of the place you go within the U.S., you’ll at all times discover a historic music vacation spot to go to. Music performed an immense half in American historical past and continues to take action at the moment, so select an enlightening and entertaining piece of music historical past to name on, wherever your travels could take you. Keep in mind to additionally soak up some nice reside leisure while you’re there!
