Cities across North America are defined by their musical landscapes. From Memphis’ prominent venues and legendary recording artists to New Orleans’ jazz traditions and the festival-forward melodious sounds that fill the streets in Toronto and Montreal, there are so many places to celebrate music history and heritage. Music has a way of bringing a destination to life and continues to be the driving force behind travelers flocking to these melodic havens for concerts, festivals, traditional venues, or emerging scenes.
Here are some cities across the United States and Canada where you can check out incredible live music, plus some great places to stay while you’re doing it. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Austin, Texas
Music Identity: Indie spirit, festival culture
Austin is sometimes called the “Live Music Capital of the World” thanks to the high volume of venues across the city showcasing blues, country, indie rock, and more. This city’s world-famous music festivals include Hot Summer Nights in the famed Red River Cultural District and iHeart Country, usually held at the Moody Center. And every year the massive South by Southwest (SXSW) draws innovators from all over the world along with top-tier musical acts.
The energy of Austin’s musical spirit can be felt at The Westin Austin Downtown, where the guest rooms and elevated lobby feature playful touches, like the wooden mosaic of an acoustic guitar on the wall behind the front desk. In addition to finding themselves just steps from the iconic 6th Street entertainment district, guests can savor skyline views at Austin’s highest rooftop bar and lounge.
Nashville, Tennessee
Music Identity: Country roots, songwriting culture, live music every night
They don’t call Nashville “Music City” for nothing. Rooted in country music and songwriting culture, the city is home to the Country Music Association Awards and the genre’s biggest stage, the Grand Ole Opry. Lower Broadway, aka “the Honky Tonk Highway” or “Nashvegas,” is lined with live music venues, most of which have no cover. And Music Row is the historic home of some of the genre’s most influential record labels and recording studios.
The Ryman Auditorium is known as the “Mother Church of Country Music” and was home to the Grand Ole Opry for almost 31 years – though today you can find any genre here. Steps from this famed venue, and offering easy access to many of the city’s other top venues, you’ll find Renaissance Nashville Hotel. And when the tempo turns down, enjoy grabbing a bite at the hotel’s signature restaurant.
Atlanta, Georgia
Music Identity: Hip-hop innovation, R&B roots, contemporary influence
With a dynamic music scene dominated by hip-hop, trap, and R&B, Atlanta pulses with high-energy and infectious beats. In the heart of downtown, the Masquerade is one of the most uniquely designed and diversely programmed live music venues. Meanwhile, the historical Coca-Cola Roxy boasts local and international talent. The Tabernacle, a storied 40,000-square-foot former church transformed into a stylish music venue in the Centennial Olympic Park District, is just 2.5 miles from Bellyard, West Midtown Atlanta, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Drawing inspiration from the city’s history, the hotel resides where Atlanta’s old stockyards and railway once burgeoned.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Music Identity: Jazz, brass bands, soul, second-line traditions
Jazz and soul are synonymous with New Orleans, and this city is home to seriously talented musicians that perform year-round. From the intimate acoustic jazz performances at Preservation Hall to the high-energy 13-block stretch of live performances on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, there are plenty of options to get your groove on here. Come for Mardi Gras, when the entire city is one big party, or the world-renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Minutes from the French Quarter, the elegant Le Pavillon, New Orleans, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel boasts lavishly designed interiors that honor its rich legacy, including having been the home of the first New Orleans radio station.
Seattle, Washington
Music Identity: Grunge legacy, indie innovation
Seattle’s thriving hub of energetic and experimental music has diversified beyond its well-known grunge roots. Indie, hip-hop, and electronic music have surfaced, adding to this eclectic city’s growing scene. The Capitol Hill neighborhood serves as the LGBTQ-friendly indie-rock hub, while the neighborhoods of Ballard, Georgetown, and Pioneer Square are bookmarks for the city’s musical landscape.
Downtown, nestled along Elliott Bay, Seattle Marriott Waterfront is your port of call for a cool sea breeze and a chance to crash in comfort after a big concert. Every one of the nautical-themed rooms offers stunning mountain and water views.
Los Angeles, California
Music Identity: Global industry hub, genre-defining scenes, legendary venues
The City of Angels is a hotbed of globally influenced music. Its mainstream concerts by mega pop stars are matched by its vibrant underground scene. Rock, pop, indie, hip-hop, and dance fill legendary landmarks like Capitol Records, the stunning multipurpose Masonic Lodge on Santa Monica Boulevard, and the Hollywood Bowl, which is home to some of the best concerts on the West Coast.
In the heart of Los Angeles, about a mile and a half from the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Volume, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel celebrates the individuality of the city. It sets the stage with thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, plus a higher-than-life escape at Desert 5 Spot, the rooftop bar inspired by the free spirit of Palm Springs in the ’70s and Pioneertown (California’s living Old West movie set).
Detroit, Michigan
Music Identity: Motown legacy, electronic, and experimental sounds
As the home of Motown Records and the birthplace of techno, Detroit Rock City has solidified its reputation as a titan of musical innovation, experimenting with underground sounds. The Fillmore Detroit is the site of the annual Detroit Music Awards, Little Caesar’s Arena boasts a powerhouse lineup of artists, and Saint Andrew’s Hall is Detroit’s most iconic music club, where a certain slim, well-known Detroit rapper got his start.
Built in 1924, The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit towers over Motor City, reflecting the architectural grandeur of the city’s prosperous heyday. With an excellent wellness facility, complete with a large pool, there’s plenty of opportunities to unwind here without missing a beat.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto boasts a cornucopia of venues across the city. Massey Hall is an acoustic haven, while mega acts fill the Rogers Centre. The Horseshoe Tavern is home to indie and rock, and modern rock beats in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District. Diverse acts reign at El Mocambo, intimate venues line the Queen Street West and Ossington neighborhoods, and outdoor waterfront venues draw crowds during the summer months alongside festivals like North by Northeast (NXNE).
Music takes center stage at the city’s first W Hotels property. Steps from the iconic fashion and culture district of Yorkville, W Toronto features the W Toronto Sound Suite, a studio for makers, artists, and beginners alike.
Memphis, Tennessee
Music Identity: Blues, soul, rock ’n’ roll
Memphis is regarded by many as the spiritual home of both the blues and rock ’n’ roll. Some of the most influential artists recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio. Graceland, a living shrine to Elvis, has visitors flocking from all over the world to see the King of Rock and Roll’s storied home. The Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music should be high on any aficionado’s must-see list.
Beale Street is a three-block neon-lit National Historic Landmark featuring lively clubs, restaurants, and shops. The Westin Memphis Beale Street places guests near this dynamic district. The guest rooms and suites are stylish, and music lovers can choose to chill in the Blue Guitar lobby bar.
Montreal, Quebec
Music Identity: Festival capital, bilingual creativity, indie and electronic scenes
Summer draws music-lovers from around the globe to Canada’s funkiest city. The Montreal International Jazz Festival is one of the largest jazz festivals on the planet, while MUTEK Montréal curates innovative electronic music and digital art. Every Sunday during the summer, locals gather at the outdoor stage at Parc Jean-Drapeau for Piknic Electronik. The iconic OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival, with heavy-hitting international artists on multiple stages, also takes place here.
Exuding a local vibe, Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel is a boutique hotel steps from famous attractions like Ste.-Catherine Street and Notre-Dame Basilica. At night, it’s the place to soak up the culture of the neighborhood through live performances, craft cocktails, and culinary creations.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Music Identity: Genre-blending creativity, influential local scenes
In the 1980s, the late, legendary artist sometimes known as the Purple One spearheaded the Minneapolis Sound, a surge of music that combined funk, rock, and new wave. A hub for indie, rock, and hip-hop, this city still serves up stellar live music at venues like First Avenue, while the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood is home to live jazz, indie, world, blues, and folk. Headliners play the Fillmore Minneapolis and the downtown institution that is Dakota Jazz Club, which blends intimate concerts with soulful dining.
Former National Guard armory-turned-epic music venue and social-function go-to, the Minneapolis Armory, is right near Elliott Park Hotel, Autograph Collection, a getaway spot that connects guests to the heartbeat of the city.
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