The Top 5 States In America That Music Lovers Need To Visit In 2026

Music and tourism often go hand in hand. This is increasingly true in recent years, as more and more people are incorporating concerts into their vacation itineraries, a viral trend which Taylor Swift fans helped create. Road-tripping is part of this too, but for plenty more than concerts and crafting good driving playlists. 

The influence that the U.S. has had on overall music is quite impressive. A music history map would rightfully have you hitting up all corners of the country, as would a present-day road trip route. There are also some perhaps unexpected states to think about on a journey through the varied tapestry of American music.

Trace the roots of blues, rock and roll, jazz, and country all across the American southeast and midwest — not just Tennessee, but also Oklahoma and Missouri. See floor after floor of music memorabilia in Ohio. And finally, hang out where countless artists once did while solidifying themselves as music legends in California.

Although multiple places across the American south can lay claim on the origins of American country music, Oklahoma has been cranking out superstars of the genre for decades. Reba McEntire grew up around Atoka, Oklahoma, which is why she chose this town for her restaurant Reba's Place. The restaurant not only serves amazing food, but also features a gift shop and memorabilia for fans to enjoy. The same can be said for Blake Shelton's restaurant Ole Red in his adopted hometown of Tishomingo. Shelton even keeps some of his awards on display here. Reba's Place and Ole Red frequently have live music performances as well.

For more live music, head to the nationally recognized Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa. This building first gained attention when Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys hosted their popular radio show here in the 1930s. Since then, Cain's has seen iconic things, such as when the Sex Pistols performed one of their last ever concerts here in 1978.

While all genres now reverberate from this historic place, its decor still pays homage to its country roots. Just minutes from Cain's is the Bob Dylan Center and neighboring Woody Guthrie Center. Both museums display personal items and offer in-depth looks at how these folk artists impacted American culture.

From Oklahoma, head to Missouri — particularly to St. Louis. As African Americans moved from the rural south to bigger cities (especially along the Mississippi River), they brought blues music with them. Among the many things that solidified St. Louis as a major blues hotspot was the 1914 song "Saint Louis Blues" by W.C. Handy.

Today St. Louis features the National Blues Museum, which details the origins of the genre and spotlights influential blues artists who have rarely gotten proper recognition. This museum also puts on the free Blues at the Arch Festival every summer. As the name suggests, it's held at the Gateway Arch, rated as the safest national park in America. Check online for exact dates and performance schedules.

Another musical place in Missouri is Kansas City. The Beatles even covered the Little Richard track "Kansas City (Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey)" on multiple occasions. But before that, Kansas City had a thriving jazz scene. The Gem Theater is a well-preserved example, dating back to 1912 and still sporting a bright neon marquee. Across the street is the American Jazz Museum and The Blue Room, where you can see plenty of live performances.

One can't talk about the blues, rock and roll, or country without mentioning Tennessee. Right next to Beale Street is the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, which shows how Memphis became the perfect melting pot for both genres. Then head to Sun Studio, where some of the first ever rock and roll songs were recorded. This building was also the location of Sun Records, the first record label to sign Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and other genre-bending figures. Today, a visit to Sun Studio allows you to set foot into the recording studio itself, which has hardly changed since the 1950s.

Tennessee's mark on American music history hardly stops in Memphis. Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum offers 2.5 million pieces of memorabilia, original recordings, and a massive rotunda housing the hall of fame itself. Tours of RCA Studio B are included with museum admission as well.

Big names in music have recorded at this "Home of 1,000 Hits" since its 1957 opening, including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and Carrie Underwood. The music keeps going well into the night too. Enjoy Nashville's musical nighttime atmosphere by grabbing a drink on the rooftop at Teddy's Tavern or check out a quintessential honky-tonk at Robert's Western World.

While rock and roll music grew out of multiple genres across the American south, Ohio still offers an iconic look at rock and roll history. Overlooking the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. This six-story museum takes you through a huge timeline showing the genre's evolution. It also features handwritten song lyrics, instruments, and outfits from countless music legends — and not just rock legends. You can trace over the signature of any past inductee and even try out instruments yourself.

A musical journey through the Buckeye State should include Cincinnati too. The Ludlow Garage here has live music multiple times per week, along with classic pub grub. Bogart's is a performance venue in a historic building that once held vaudeville shows as far back as the 1890s. Even if you don't see a show here, it's worth a stop.

Right by the huge Paycor Stadium is the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, which acknowledges influential African American artists from Cincinnati and its surrounding counties. From James Brown to John Legend, you might be surprised to see just how many important musicians have come from this part of the country.

While aspiring artists come to Los Angeles in hopes of establishing careers in the music industry, music lovers in general should travel to California. A concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Palladium, Whisky a Go Go, or any other historic LA venue should be on any music lover's bucket list just to feel as if you're among the greats of music history.

For more of a hangout music venue, head to The The Viper Room, formerly known as Filthy McNasty's. Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Maroon 5, Oasis, and countless others have passed through these doors. Although the name has changed, its vintage yet underground atmosphere still makes it worth a stop. Check online for hours and shows.

Coachella and Stagecoach are vital to California's music festival offerings, but Monterey's music festivals are not to be overlooked. The Monterey Pop Festival, where Janis Joplin caught her big break and Jimi Hendrix once set his guitar on fire, is not held annually. However, the Monterey Jazz Festival occurs every September, is steeped in its own history, and is held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds — the same legendary venue as that historic event. Even if you don't visit in September, go online to see what musical events you can catch at the fairgrounds.

When sifting through the biggest music hubs in the U.S., more needed to be taken into account than famous venues for live music. This is especially true as ever-increasing prices of concert tickets make this type of experience less available to the masses. Museums, restaurants, bars, recording studios, and festivals can all be amazing ways for music lovers to geek out over their favorite artists.

States which made this list also highlight more than A-listers. Visiting the tourist attractions in these states allow you to learn about people who contributed to American music past and present, but have perhaps slipped through the cracks over the decades. After checking out the museums, festivals, or other things featured here, you might leave with new artists to add to your music collection.