Tourists heading to the US automatically think of the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood Boulevard and Disneyland, but the US is also the perfect place to explore music history.

 

Memphis

The sound of raspy voices and piano music still floats through the clubs of Memphis, where blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll all got their start.

Things to see:

1. The home of Elvis
   Visit Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion, see the King’s childhood home at Lauderdale Courts or explore The Arcade restaurant where he loved the peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches.
   
   
2. Museums
   Run through music history at the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and listen to over 100 soundtracks as you go. Also stop by the Sun Studio and Stax Museum.
   
   
3. Beale Street
   Visit Beale Street in the evening, where music fills the many clubs and bars. The New Daily Theatre features jazz, rock and gospel acts, and the Full Gospel Tabernacle provides soothing soul.

New Orleans

Music oozes from the streets of New Orleans, where booze flows, bars never close, people dance in the streets and buskers play.

Things to see:

1. Bourbon Street
   Infamous Bourbon Street alone has plenty of jazz and blues bars. This means there’s plenty for the mainstream, nightclubbing and general tourist market.
   
   
2. Preservation Hall
   For an authentic experience, head to Preservation Hall. It has hard wooden benches and not even a bar, but it’s a full house every night for the best jazz in town.
   
   
3. Jazz clubs and cafés
   Other jazz hot spots include Funky Butt, the Snug Harbor, Palm Court Jazz Café, and the tiny, jam-packed Vaughan’s.

Detroit

You aren't done with jazz until you visit the city that brought the world mass-produced motorcars, acquired the nickname Motor Town, and condensed it on a record label called Motown.

Things to see:

1. Motown
   Visit the two simple houses where Berry Gordy started Motown and see the studio where The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder recorded in the 60s.
   
   
2. Nightlife
   There are jazz clubs galore – from the suave, smooth sounds of lounge-style music, to live music venues and clubs playing music from times gone by or the top 40 charts.
   
   
3. Baker's Keyboard Lounge
   Baker’s Keyboard Lounge claims to be the oldest jazz club anywhere and still sees every noted jazz plater tread its boards as diners tuck into soul food.

Nashville

Country music is king in the capital of Tennessee, but rock, rap and gospel all helped give Nashville the nickname Music City. The town has produced the likes of Donna Summer, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, and is home to Keith Urban.

Things to see:

1. Country Music Hall of Fame
   This is a toe-tapping delight, featuring everything from Willie Nelson’s bandana to Hank William’s fringed jackets and Elvis’ golden Cadillac.
   
   
   
2. Grand Ole Opry
   Hustle down to the Grand Ole Opry museum, named after the fabled and still-running radio show that discovered the talents of such luminaries as Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton.
   
   
3. Live music
   Take in live music at Legends Corner, Bluebird Café, Ryman Auditorium or at Second Avenue in The District.
   

Seattle

Grunge music emerged in 1990s Seattle and produced bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains – pitting Seattle as a must-see on the music trip itinerary.

Things to see:

1. Avante garde
   The Experience Music Project (EMP) – housed in an avant-garde building – presents a huge collection of memorabilia, photos and dynamic music displays.
   
   
2. Music memorabilia
   Make sure to see exhibits which present a huge collection of memorabilia, photos and guitars smashed on stage by Kurt Cobain and Seattle native, Jimi Hendrix.
   
   
3. Experience it
   EMP lets you see what it’s like to be on stage in front of screaming fans, have a go at DJ turntables and even record you own CD in the mini studios.

Read the full story online in samotor's e-magazine.