Sights & Sounds: 5 Music Vacation Destinations

Music makes every road trip better, whether it’s your favorite satellite radio station or a playlist you made before you left. But music can also be the destination of your road trip—specifically places that revolve around or are inspired by music of all kinds. We picked five obvious-but-great music-centric destinations for your next Holiday Rambler adventure.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland, OH
This one’s a no-brainer: a single, iconic destination that encapsulates the entire history of rock ‘n’ roll and beyond, filled with memorabilia from the greatest musical minds of every generation. Explore literal decades of musical greatness in the stunning exhibits, take in some live music on site, then explore the vastly underrated city of Cleveland. (We’re not kidding.) For music lovers, this is an essential experience.
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Dollywood
Pigeon Forge, TN
Apparently, it wasn’t enough for our queen Dolly Parton to just be one of America’s greatest songwriters, or a country music legend, or an occasional movie star, or a generous philanthropist. She also decided to have her own theme park, and it’s fantastic! Sure, you’ll find all the rides, lodging, live entertainment, and food you look for in an amusement park. You’ll also experience plenty of Dolly-centric attractions: wander through her tour bus, explore a recreation of the Tennessee mountain home she grew up in, and see memorabilia from her collection.
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Preservation Hall
New Orleans, LA
Live music is everywhere in New Orleans. But only at Preservation Hall will you get an intimate live music experience that honors the past, maintains tradition, and nurtures the music community’s future. For more than 60 years, it’s provided up-close, acoustic live sets from members of the area’s rich jazz scene. (And their site boasts 350+ live shows in a year, so chances are you’ll be able to catch a show no matter when you visit.) Show schedules get announced just a few weeks in advance, so keep an eye on their site and social for details!
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Paisley Park
Chanhassen, MN
Minnesota was already a state worth camping in (what with its abundance of lakes and stunning greenery) but being able to tour the home studio of the late and legendary Prince makes it even more exciting. For three decades, Paisley Park was a home and production complex to one of the most prolific and influential musical minds ever. Now, you can explore the space, see Prince-inspired exhibitions, and even enjoy live music.
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Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Morrison, CO
This is a concert venue worth taking a cross-country road trip for. Have you seen it? It’s GORGEOUS. Yes, there are also on-site exhibitions and Halls of Fam to explore. But the real magic of this place is seeing your favorite band live with the otherworldly natural beauty of Colorado all around you.
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What are YOUR favorite music-themed destinations? Let us know on our Facebook page!