Top Summer Stops for Music Lovers

With the school year coming to a close, you may be looking forward to heading out of town for a few days. For music lovers, there lies a cornucopia of destinations that hold a vibrant musical history. With so many to choose from, we’ve selected our top five destinations that are sure to impress any music buff. Just pick your favorite genre, and we’ll give you the best destination for your trip. Best of all, they are perfect for either a family summer getaway, or your group’s next performance tour.

Rock and Country – Tennessee

Fans of Rock and Roll and Country music will likely fall in love with Tennessee. Start out with a walk through Memphis and over to Sun Studios, where Rock and Roll was born and the King himself recorded. Afterword, head over to Elvis’s home, Graceland, to complete your Rock and Roll Pilgrimage. Music City, USA (Nashville) has enough music history to consume your entire summer. For those of us on a more limited schedule, start with a stroll through Music Row, where you’ll find many of Nashville’s record labels and recording studios (including the famed Studio B). Then, continue your country music pilgrimage with a stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the historic Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Top off your visit with an Opry performance at the current Grand Ole Opry House.

Jazz – New Orleans

Laissez les bons temps rouler! The birthplace of jazz is an excellent spot for a summer getaway, or student tour. You can easily spend a whole day popping in and out of the many cafes and jazz clubs. Be sure to get tickets to a performance at Preservation Hall as well. They have one swingin’ house band! If you’re tired of staying on land, but can’t get enough jazz, take a jazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez to round out your New Orleans Jazz excursion.

Classical – Austria

Mountains, music, and history; Austria has it all. Start your trip in Salzburg, where you can visit the birthplace of Mozart, as well as his residence. Afterwards, head in to the surrounding hills, and imagine you’re with Maria and the Von Trapp children as you tour the sites from “The Sound of Music.” Continue through the countryside, and to Vienna, the capitol of Austria. For the musician, no visit is complete without taking in a performance of the Vienna State Opera (or Wiener Staatsoper). Tickets can be tough to come by sometimes, so be sure to book ahead. If opera isn’t your thing, consider taking in a performance of the (equally impressive) Vienna Philharmonic instead.

Pop – Liverpool

Named “The World Capitol City of Pop” by the Guinness Book of World Records, Liverpool is a place any music lover must visit at least once in their life. The epicenter of the “British Invasion,” Liverpool was of course home to none other than The Beatles. Start your day by learning the history of the lads at The Beatles Story. Then, take a National Trust tour of John’s and Sir Paul’s childhood homes. Finally, get your ticket to ride on the Magical Mystery Tour of Fab Four sites throughout the city. At the end of the day, pop in to the Cavern Club to see where The Beatles first performed. Who knows, you may just discover the next big act while you’re there.

All Genres – New York City

If you can’t pick one favorite genre, then New York City is the place for you. Broadway shows alone could easily eat up much of your time. However, they aren’t the only world class performances in town. The New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, and Jazz at Lincoln Center are all profoundly impressive. If you are looking for something jazzier, stop in to one of the many jazz clubs in Manhattan, or head up to Harlem and check out the National Jazz Museum. New York attracts talent from across the globe, so check who is playing in any of the world-class venues, like the Beacon Theater, while you are in town as well.

With so many amazing destinations for music buffs to visit, you’d better start packing soon! If you can’t visit all of them on your own, they are perfect for your next student performance tour. Contact us today to start planning.