The Best US Destinations For Music Lovers To Add To Their Bucket Lists

Whether you are a country, indie, blues, jazz, hip-hop, or rock & roll fan, there is a destination in the U.S. for you. Across the country, there are incredible intimate venues, larger-than-life concert halls, historic theaters, spectacular outdoor spaces, and more — showcasing a world of musical talent. From local artists and chart-topping acts to star-studded festivals and impromptu concerts, if no travel adventure is complete without live musical entertainment, more than a few locales can accommodate.

Music-loving travelers actually have a plethora of options that cater to all tastes, especially in culture-rich spots on the map. As a result, travelers looking to experience it all — shows, guided tours, important historical sites, and then some — definitely have their work cut out for them. So to make planning your next music-inspired getaway a whole lot easier, here are the best destinations in the U.S. for music lovers to add to their bucket lists.

Of course, the Live Music Capital of the World should be on every music fan's to-do list. This bucket-list-worthy town in Texas is a known hippie haven with more than 250 venues for live entertainment. In fact, Austin city streets are littered with music halls, record stores, and one-of-a-kind bars, clubs, and pubs with live bands. Often, there are hundreds of shows and concerts happening practically every night of the week in Austin, so there is never a bad time to make your way down to this U.S. music mecca.

In addition to all of this, the city of Austin definitely knows a thing or two about music festivals. With ample and legendary festivals happening annually, like the world-famous SXSW, which combines music, multimedia art, and film in what can only be described as a pure delight for all the senses, there is absolutely no reason not to plan a trip to this city. Other popular music events to check out here include the Austin Area Jazz Festival, Blues on the Green, Hot Summer Nights, Free Week, and the Urban Cultural Festival — just to name a few.

Known as the birthplace of quite a few styles of music, the Windy City is another music lover's delight that should be high up there on one's bucket list. That said, blues and jazz fans, in particular, will have no trouble appreciating this city. However, there are several key locations throughout Chicago where all music enthusiasts can enjoy a multitude of genres and melodic sounds, including the artsy Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Wicker Park, Logan Square, and the Subterranean (a multiple-level venue for all music tastes).

Other great live music options in the Windy City, like the Empty Bottle, Buddy Guy's Legends, Park West, Constellation, The Metro, and the City Winery, are also worth a visit. Each of these venues offers a unique experience and incorporates a variety of genres like indie rock, blues, jazz, contemporary classic, mainstream rock, electronica, and more. Besides these iconic spots, Chicago also knows how to put on a good show with events like Lollapalooza, the Chicago Blues Festival, Riot Fest, and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Music fans looking for the experience of a lifetime should absolutely plan a trip to Los Angeles. In general, the Golden State is where the Hollywood magic happens and thus is where you can spot numerous celebrities in their chosen habitat. The city of Los Angeles is undoubtedly where musicians flock in droves too. With recording studios aplenty, venues like the Greek Theatre, award shows, festivals like Hard Summer, and incredible talent, a music-themed trip to the City of Angels is a must on any music lover's bucket list.

As a result, the music scene here is not only robust, but it is also full of music-related adventures and activities. Here, fans can check out the Grammy Museum, marvel at the greats on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and visit the RockWalk on Sunset Boulevard (which is dedicated to legendary rock stars). You can also go on music history walkabouts, and music celeb tours, and even see the final resting spots for some former music industry icons. And while you are out and about in the City of Angels, do not forget to catch a show or two at great live music venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Troubadour, The Kia Forum, Exchange Los Angeles for mind-blowing EDM and DJ experiences, or the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Known as the city that music calls home, Nashville, Tennessee, was always going to be on the list of bucket-worthy music destinations. With the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry House, several music museums, plus countless other concert halls and musical attractions, Nashville is definitely a haven for all music lovers. So whether you are a fan of country music or not truly doesn't matter much here.

Music City has a wealth of other genres to indulge in, including rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk, hip-hop, and classical music. Nashville also has ample venues (both songwriter venues and live music entertainment spots) worth checking out, like Honky Tonk Central, The Stage On Broadway, Wildhorse Saloon, the Analog, and the Ascend Amphitheater. Plus, with more than a few annual events happening every month, Music City — the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Make Music Nashville, CMA Fest, Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman, AMC Awards, CMA Music Awards, and more — this destination is everything and then some.

New York City is just one more music mecca steeped in culture, history, and talent. Of course, every hip-hop lover must visit the Big Apple at least once in their lifetime, especially since the Bronx is touted as the birthplace of this popular genre. New York City also has a thriving punk rock scene and has undoubtedly had a hand in making other musical stylings like jazz, blues, disco, indie, and folk music even more popular, if not mainstream.

Plus, with iconic venues, including the Apollo Theater, the Radio City Music Hall, The Rooftop At Pier 17, the Carnegie Music Hall, and dozens of other live music spots throughout the city, the Big Apple is pretty much the embodiment of American music. Likewise, New York City is home to many of the greatest musicians and lyricists of our time, and there is no shortage of events. In fact, annual happenings such as the Electric Zoo Music Festival, the Borderland Festival, SummerStage, and the AFROPUNK Festival — just to name a few — turn The City That Never Sleeps into an all-out music rager. Music lovers can also enjoy numerous Broadway musicals, catch most music tours, and check out important music-related sights when vacationing in the Big Apple.

For travelers who truly adore all genres of music, Portland, Oregon, is another spectacular addition to your list. With indie, pop, international, electronic music, and beyond, Portland's music scene is truly legendary. The Rose City is actually a great add-on to any music bucket list, with its numerous venues ranging from intimate to mid-sized to larger to outdoor.

Charming little spots like the Doug Fir Lounge and the Polaris Hall offer music lovers front-row seats to some of the best talents on the West Coast. Likewise, Portland is full of great neighborhood bars and galleries that showcase local artists almost nightly. Bigger concert halls, on the other hand, including the Wonder Ballroom and the Moda Center, are ideal options if your goal is to rock out with the music industry's top superstars. And if you want to take your music experience to the next level, Edgefield is Portland's premier outdoor summer venue, where many of the greats put on memorable shows.

Last but definitely not least, Seattle, Washington, played an important role in changing popular music in the late 1980s and 90s. As the official birthplace of grunge music, it is actually kind of hard to pass this one up, especially when given the fabulous opportunity to experience the Seattle sound and delve deeper into American history. Plus, for fans of iconic 90s bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, a music-infused trip to Seattle shouldn't even be a question.

So, after some serious fan-girl or boy-ing, make sure to enjoy a host of live performances at famous venues in the city like The Show Box, Paramount Theater, Tractor Tavern, The Royal Room, and Neumos. And while you are at it, why not add some incredible festivals to your roster when in town too? Rave-worthy events like the Capitol Hill Block Party, Timber Music Fest, the Earshot Jazz Festival, and Wintergrass showcase music in all its forms and at its best. That said, Seattle is just one more sublime destination in the U.S. for music lovers that should absolutely be on their bucket lists.