7 Cities That Transformed American Music History

Imagine the United States as a musical compilation album. Each city represents a track, influenced by its distinct historical backdrop. The outcome? Iconic genres like the brass-rich New Orleans jazz, sun-soaked SoCal rock, and the introspective Seattle grunge. A journey to one of these musical hubs could lead you to the spots where legends lived, recorded, or performed their classics—from lively honky-tonks to revered concert halls—while also connecting with the fresh talents who are preserving their legacies. America's musical saga is extensive, yet this is our curated greatest hits list of seven cities that groove to their own unique rhythms.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans proudly stands as the cradle of jazz, a genre birthed from the same cultural fusions that produced gumbo and Mardi Gras. Some music scholars trace its origins back to the mid-1700s, when enslaved West Africans congregated in Congo Square to maintain their drumming and dancing customs during Sunday markets, with ragtime and blues later enriching the genre, leading to the emergence of Dixieland. Nowadays, jazz is so integral to the city that it permeates its funeral customs, where brass bands accompany mourners from the church to the cemetery in a festive tribute.

You can enjoy live jazz almost anywhere, whether during brunch or in your boutique hotel, though purists swear by the French Quarter’s Preservation Hall, which has been hosting nightly performances since 1961. Just outside the quarter, the 500 and 600 blocks of Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood were once local secrets, but popular venues like Snug Harbor, Three Muses, and d.b.a. have put it on the map.

During the day, be sure to explore the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which boasts a collection of 25,000 artifacts in the historic U.S. Mint building, and don’t miss the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, featuring ranger-led talks, drum circles, and live music events.

The Pontchartrain Hotel’s Bayou Bar has a storied past, having hosted icons like Frank Sinatra and Truman Capote, and now showcases live music from Tuesday to Saturday.

Nashville, Tennessee

No other American city embodies a genre of popular music quite like Nashville does with country music. With over 190 recording studios, 80 record labels, and 43,000 industry jobs, the music scene contributes $15.6 billion to the local economy. You can easily dive into that signature twang, whether you’re discovering rising stars at the Bluebird Cafe (where Taylor Swift was famously spotted at 14), paying tribute to legends at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, or enjoying a performance by a music icon at the Ryman Auditorium, which served as the Grand Ole Opry’s home from 1943 to 1974. Since 2021, the city also hosts the National Museum of African American Music, celebrating contributions across genres like gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B.

Nashville offers a variety of venues for music enthusiasts eager to catch a live performance: head to the Station Inn for bluegrass, Robert’s Western World for Western swing, or The Basement East (known as “The Beast”) for a rock-inspired lineup. For those who can manage the crowds, experience the wild side of country music along the whiskey-infused Honky Tonk Highway, a stretch of Lower Broadway filled with bars owned by musicians like Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, and Blake Shelton.

Accommodations

The Graduate Nashville features a Dolly Parton-themed rooftop bar named White Limozeen, complete with a striking pink bust of Backwoods Barbie crafted from chicken wire.

Seattle, Washington

As the 1980s came to a close, the Pacific Northwest birthed grunge, forever linking its distorted guitars and reflective, angsty lyrics to this overcast city on Puget Sound. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden redefined the post-punk sound in their signature flannel style, many signing with the underground label Sub Pop Records. You can find merchandise and vinyls at the label’s stores on 7th Avenue and in the airport.

While many of the dive bars and clubs that hosted grunge legends have shuttered, you can still enjoy live music at Seattle’s oldest operating theater, the Moore Theatre, which opened in Belltown in 1907 and was featured in Pearl Jam’s “Even Flow” video, as well as The Crocodile, where Nirvana opened for Mudhoney in 1991 under the pseudonym “Pen Pap Chew.” Other notable venues include The Showbox, Neumos, Tractor Tavern, and the Neptune Theatre in the University District, which has a nautical theme.

For years, Gen X-ers have journeyed to an unofficial memorial bench for Kurt Cobain in Viretta Park, adorned with heartfelt messages and trinkets, located near the house where he passed away. Meanwhile, the Frank Gehry-designed MoPOP, or Museum of Pop Culture, houses a vast collection of Nirvana memorabilia among its exhibits.

Accommodations

At the stunning overwater Edgewater Hotel, you can reserve the Pearl Jam Suite, featuring Ames Bros. tour posters, a Fender guitar, an amplifier, and rare vinyl records.

New York City

New York is often dubbed the city that never sleeps, thanks to the endless array of sounds to explore. It has played a pivotal role in shaping numerous genres of American music, from punk rock and disco to salsa and doo-wop. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which many fans trace back to a 1973 back-to-school party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, hosted by the legendary DJ Kool Herc. Over the decades, the city has nurtured icons such as Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., Run-D.M.C., Nas, and the Wu-Tang Clan, along with contemporary stars like Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.

Exploring hip-hop landmarks can be challenging since many iconic events took place in nondescript apartment buildings, and numerous early clubs have closed their doors. That's why it's wise to rely on the experts: Hush Tours provides walking and bus tours in Harlem, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, where you can watch B-boys and B-girls perform and listen to your guide freestyle. After dark, popular bars and venues featuring hip-hop nights include Schimanski and Cafe Erzulie in Brooklyn, along with the Afro-Latinx club SOB’s, which has been a staple in Soho since 1982, hosting artists like Kendrick Lamar and A Tribe Called Quest.

Where to stay

Situated right next to the Apollo, the new Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel occupies the tallest building north of Central Park and features the facade of the historic 1917 Victoria Theater. The hotel pays tribute to Black music legends like Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, and its prime location on 125th Street puts you within walking distance of hip-hop murals, soul food spots, and trendy streetwear boutiques.

This Tennessee city has always made a significant impact on music—after all, it's uncommon for one locale to be known as the birthplace of both rock 'n' roll and the blues. The story of Sam Phillips’ Sun Studio is legendary, particularly due to its famous 1956 jam session featuring the “Million Dollar Quartet” of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. Additionally, there's Graceland and the Stax Museum, which chronicles the history of Stax Records and its soul artists, including Otis Redding.

Memphis is known as the unofficial capital of the Mississippi Delta, making it a hub for blues music. The city is home to the Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame Museum, which celebrates legends like Muddy Waters, Etta James, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. W.C. Handy, often referred to as the Father of the Blues, moved to Memphis in 1909. While he didn’t create the genre, he helped popularize the Delta's folk tradition by sharing it with a broader audience. You can visit his former home, a two-room shotgun shack relocated to Beale Street in the mid-1980s, and enjoy live music at iconic venues like B.B. King’s, Rum Boogie Cafe, and Blues Hall. For a more local vibe, check out hidden gems such as Wild Bill’s Juke Joint and Earnestine & Hazel’s away from the main strip.

Where to stay

At the Central Station Hotel, you'll find a 500-album vinyl collection and a cozy listening lounge. Each of the 123 guest rooms is equipped with custom speakers from Memphis’ own EgglestonWorks. Unsure what to listen to? The hotel offers curated Spotify playlists, including themes like Them Memphis Blues and Graceland Grooves.

Los Angeles

Reflecting its vastness, Los Angeles boasts a rich musical heritage that spans multiple genres, from surf rock to heavy metal and West Coast rap. With a multitude of record labels and studios, it’s no wonder that the iconic Capitol Records Building stands as a prominent feature on the skyline.

During the 1960s and ‘70s, the Sunset Strip emerged as the heartbeat of the SoCal rock scene, home to legendary venues like the Troubadour, Roxy Theatre, and Whisky a Go Go, which launched the careers of artists such as Janis Joplin, the Doors, Mötley Crüe, and Guns N’ Roses. This area also gained fame for its wild crash pads, including the iconic Chateau Marmont.

Just up the road in the Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon offered a more laid-back atmosphere, where the acoustic melodies of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, and James Taylor resonated in this nearly rural enclave. Although much of the music was crafted in private homes, you can soak up the era's spirit at the Canyon Country Store, famously referenced by Jim Morrison as “the store where the creatures meet” in his song “Love Street.” For a glimpse into the area's storied past, consider booking a Laurel Canyon Hippie Hiking Tour, led by a local guide who will share stories as you pass the former homes of icons like Glen Frey, John Lennon, Jackson Browne, and Frank Zappa.

Where to stay

Once famously dubbed the “Riot House,” the Andaz West Hollywood is the legendary site where Led Zeppelin's drummer, John Bonham, allegedly rode a motorcycle through the corridors, and Keith Richards infamously tossed a TV out of a window.

Austin, Texas

“Keep Austin Weird” has become the anthem of this Texas capital, known for hosting music festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits. In the 1970s, it was Austin's unique character that propelled it into the musical spotlight. A collective of free-spirited musicians transformed an old National Guard armory into the now-legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, a vibrant music hall and beer garden that drew in icons like Frank Zappa and the Flying Burrito Brothers. When Willie Nelson sought refuge from the mainstream Nashville country scene, he returned to his roots in Texas, sparking a new wave of outlaw country in Austin. An impressive eight-foot bronze statue of the Red Headed Stranger now graces the entrance of ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the venue for the PBS music series since 2011, which is notable for being the first TV show to receive the National Medal of Arts.

Although the Armadillo World Headquarters is now just a memory, Austin proudly maintains its title as the live music capital of the world. The outlaw country vibe remains strong, yet the city now nurtures a diverse array of talent spanning genres, from Spoon and Grupo Fantasma to Gary Clark Jr. and Shakey Graves. You can experience performances in distinctive venues like the 60-year-old Broken Spoke honky-tonk, the cozy Continental Club, the historic Scoot Inn (established in 1871), and the Cactus Cafe on the University of Texas campus, where artists like Lyle Lovett and Lucinda Williams honed their craft. The charm of Austin lies in its spontaneity; simply wandering through the bungalow bars of Rainey Street and the indoor-outdoor spots of East Sixth Street can lead you to discover the next big act.

Where to stay

The Hotel Van Zandt, named after the iconic country artist Townes Van Zandt, features an on-site venue called Geraldine’s, which regularly hosts jazz brunches, vinyl listening events, and intimate concerts.