Dads and grads, you’ve been saddled with a great responsibility: to gift the best musical experience you can hunt down. Beyond the glee of receiving a guitar or shiny new gear lies the possibility of making lasting memories with the ones you love by visiting some of music’s coolest, most radical destinations. Travel with us as we explore clubs, museums, streets, theaters, and hidden musical gems! Whether dad’s a jazz fiend or your recent grad can’t stop raving about synthesizers, Sweetwater’s ready to hand you the road map you’ve been searching for. No seat belts required!
Believe I’ll Dust My Blues
Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Club — Chicago, Illinois
Keeping the flame of the blues alive with incendiary zeal, Buddy Guy’s Legends club in Chicago, Illinois, features the best blues in town and then some. Having seen foot traffic from the likes of Pete Townshend and performances from blues and rock legends like B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Eric Clapton, and David Bowie, Buddy Guy’s Legends still serves up live music from blues legends and current soulful upstarts. But that’s not all you’ll find here — it’s also a museum. Well, “it’s like a museum, if museums would let you drink and dance.” Adorning the walls, there resides a multitude of guitars gifted to the establishment by industry legends. You’ll also find relics from legends past and present like shoes and a scarf from Jimi Hendrix and music awards belonging to Buddy himself.
National Blues Museum — St. Louis, Missouri
From the roots to the fruits, you can dive into an experience as bluesy as they come with a trip to the National Blues Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. High-impact technology, artifacts, and interactive exhibits will lead you down the dusty road of the blues’ illustrative past. Rock ‘n’ roller and blues lover Jack White even funded an exhibit called “Mix It Up.” Here visitors can experiment with blues styles and influences to create their own music. But that’s not all; the museum also provides a series of performances, showcasing the music that’s become part of our hearts as well as the new artists that are keeping the flame burning.
Jazzy Joie de Vivre
Frenchmen Street — New Orleans, Louisiana
The birthplace of Louis Armstrong holds revels and charms for fans of jazz, funk, Latin, reggae, brass bands, and everything in between. While the name “Bourbon Street” may ring a bell, New Orleans also offers a lesser-known gem hidden not so far from the bustling Bourbon hubbub: Frenchmen Street. Just east of the French Quarter, this street’s secret lies underneath a quiet exterior, belying the soul-swaying, toe-tapping music budding inside some of New Orleans’ favorite clubs. On the outside, you can also catch spirited performances by street musicians. Not to mention, Frenchmen Street boasts some phenomenal fare — cheeseburgers, falafel, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and more!
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll, but I Like It
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Cleveland, Ohio
Contrary to its name, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame holds memorabilia from a wide range of musical genres alongside rock ‘n’ roll. This sprawling building of modern architecture pays tribute to industry legends like Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Run DMC, James Brown, Janis Joplin, Hank Williams, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and more. This museum hosts such a comprehensive collection of relics that it might take you more than one visit to soak it up completely! One room features three screens that display music videos in chronological order from every single artist inducted into the Hall; you can have a rest and take a glimpse into some of music’s favorite music videos before continuing your journey. From the Beatles to Beyonce, no matter the age of a visitor, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame offers an incredible opportunity to engage with artists of the past and present — it just might remind you to keep chasing your own musical dream.
Feeling Electric: A Radical Record Store
Sonic Boom Records — Seattle, Washington
Death Cab for Cutie — know the name? Then you likely have as much of a soft spot for indie as Sweetwater does! A Seattle independent record store, Sonic Boom took off in the indie scene when Death Cab for Cutie played the first gig behind their doors. It soon became a hub for exporting the best local indie music to local fans and distant talent seekers. Over the ensuing years, Sonic Boom has provided their customers near and far with vinyl, CDs, and cassettes, never waning in the face of digital music. They’ve also provided them with varying indie concerts squeezed inside the walls of their modest start-up building. Today, Sonic Boom has bloomed with various added locations, but their headquarters remain stationed in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle.
If I Could Make a Livin’ out of Country Tunes
Grand Ole Opry — Nashville, Tennessee
Boasting an impressive history and a stage graced by legends of country, bluegrass, folk, and gospel, the Grand Ole Opry tops the list of destinations for fans of country music. Visitors can see current artists perform, book post-show backstage tours, and even see the studio where episodes of Hee Haw were filmed. Hearing music played in the same space where past legends like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn and current stars like Easton Corbin and Reba McEntire walked? It hardly gets better than that! Just give the Opry website a visit to check their list of upcoming shows and concerts.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum — Nashville, Tennessee
Since you’re already in the country-music capital of the world, why not keep the party going by taking your boots on down to the Country Music Hall of Fame? With an extensive range of artifacts including more than 800 stage costumes and 600 instruments, it’s easy to get lost in the memorabilia. Also, a commemorative rotunda houses plaques dedicated to inducted Hall members, including many country legends who helped make the genre great. The Hall also boasts an extensive digital archive.
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Synths I’ve Been Loving You
The Moog Factory — Asheville, North Carolina
If you’ve kept your eyes peeled for some free fun on this list, then Sweetwater refuses to disappoint. As a matter of fact, one of the coolest synth manufacturers in the game, Moog, provides free tours to the public every week! Through their 45-minute tour, they’ll weave an informative history with glimpses into the production of the instruments themselves. Tours run from 10:30AM to 3:30PM, Monday through Friday. Not to mention, you can also catch a look at their showroom after your tour to noodle around on the instruments of which you now possess a novel knowledge!
Radiant Reggae Riddims
Bob Marley Museum — Kingston, Jamaica
Ever wanted to traverse the home of a music legend? The Bob Marley Museum, former home of the man himself, offers an immersive experience into the world of this talented Jamaican musician with different tour options. Explore the memories of Marley’s past as well as the music-making process at Tuff Gong to get a better glimpse into the life of one of reggae’s celebrated stars. After all, there’s nothing better than some warm sunshine, reggae, and Bob Marley–themed food and drink to blow the blues away.
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Notting Hill Carnival — London, England
London might not have been first on your list when considering the best reggae destinations, but one trip to the Notting Hill Carnival will show you the light. This Caribbean-inspired festival highlights the culture of the isles with over 30 sound systems bellowing beats made to get your body dancing! Started in 1966, thanks mostly to Claudia Jones, the Notting Hill Carnival has blossomed into a yearly Caribbean celebration with a staggering visitor count in the hundreds of thousands. At the carnival, you can expect to experience some of the best Caribbean music in the world!
A Modern Approach to a Classic City
Haus der Musik — Vienna, Austria
Classical-music fans, we didn’t forget about you! In fact, Haus der Musik is easily one of our favorites on the list. Apart from Vienna holding a monumental chunk of music history, it also houses a newly built museum dedicated to bringing historical musical knowledge to the masses through edutainment! Spanning four floors, the building houses the Museum of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, a “Sonotopia,” a “Great Composers” zone, and a “Virtual Conductor” exhibit. Fans of Mozart will particularly delight in the interactive game that can craft a composition for your name in the style of Mozart! Experience the sound of days gone by with all the technological discoveries of today.
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Hip-hop in da Club
Hush Tours — New York City, New York
Hip-hop heavyweights, historic sights, and popping sounds: Hush Tours has it all. This immersive hip-hop tour experience of New York City will take you on a journey into the heart of hip-hop’s birthplace. Run by native New Yorkers, this tour service digs deep into the four key elements of the rhythmic genre: DJing, MCing, dancing, and graffiti. Also, you can expect to meet artists and music-making legends like Grandmaster Caz, Lady K-Fever, Roxanne Shante, Ralph McDaniels, and more! With tour guides that experienced the growth of the genre firsthand, you’ll leave Hush Tours with intimate knowledge you can’t get anywhere else.
Knees Weak, Arms Are Heavy
Mom’s Spaghetti — Detroit, Michigan
Music lovers, meme lovers, and pasta lovers unite! Eminem’s got the place for you: Mom’s Spaghetti in Detroit, Michigan. After the parody video of his song “Lose Yourself” went viral, Eminem knew what he had to do next — open a restaurant to offer fresh-served spaghetti to the world! Now you and your loved ones can lose yourself in some classic spaghetti and meatballs or even a spaghetti sandwich. Dine inside or grab takeout through the walk-up window, it’s up to you! A 4.5-star Google rating doesn’t lie, folks.
Two Strats and a Coke, Please
Hotel nhow — Berlin, Germany
Ever dreamed of staying at a hotel where you could order music gear up to your room on a whim? Hotel nhow makes that dream a reality and more! From the moment you check in to the moment you leave, you won’t experience a dull moment. Apart from whimsically unique, modern interior design, the hotel also boasts its own music studios. These fully equipped studios overlook the Spree River through a crane-like upper tower and boast gorgeous views of Berlin. During your stay, you can also experience DJ nights and concerts in the lobby — and, if you think you can rock the place yourself, get up onstage during their open-mic night!
For Musical History Buffs
Ancient Roman Amphitheatre — Pompeii, Italy
Last, those looking for a merger of history and music will find it all at the ancient Roman Amphitheatre of Pompeii. Fans of dad-rock most likely know Pink Floyd’s performance here in 1971, but this ancient theater has also seen performances by Frank Sinatra and King Crimson. Rich with historical relevance as well as musical intrigue, this amphitheater has stunned visitors since 70 BC, and now you can traverse the same ground as ancient Romans and legendary musicians! While you’re in Italy, might as well hit up the Teatro della Pergola in Florence — Italy’s oldest opera house.
On the Road Again
What a journey! New musical destinations can open a whole new world of musical inspiration or get our mental gears turning with the delight of new experiences. The best part? Making new memories with your friends and loved ones who share your passion for all things music. Want to tell us about some cool music destinations you’ve visited? Give Sweetwater a call at (800) 222-4700 to let us know about any cool spots we missed. And, of course, if you do decide to do some traveling this year, then make sure to send us a postcard when you get there!