No matter where you go when you travel, you can find musical history. Music is such a cornerstone of the human experience that it would be difficult to encounter someone whose life has not been touched in some way by it.
Music feeds and shares emotion and brings people together in a way nothing else does. For this reason, we’ve been left with some incredible monuments to its power. Ready to check some of these destinations off your travel bucket list? Let’s take a look at some of the best musical history travel destinations.
Grand Ole Opry-Nashville, Tennessee
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Grand Ole Opry is home to one of the longest running radio programs in history. Founded in November 1925, the site of the Grand Ole Opry still attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The program started as a country music stage show, and as it grew in popularity, it moved to its permanent home at the Ryman auditorium in 1943. It moved again in the 1970s into the nearby installation, the Grand Ole Opry House.
There are several things to do at the Grand Ole Opry House, including tours and museum exhibits. You can still catch concerts and shows almost every night of the week. The original program still runs every Saturday night, and you can buy tickets to be part of the live audience.
Abbey Road Studios-London, England
You will need to travel across the pond to visit Abbey Road Studios, but most music aficionados will tell you that it’s worth the trip. Originally called EMI Studios when it was established in 1931, this recording studio is most famously known for being the namesake of the 11th studio album by The Beatles. The album was so popular that the recording studio decided to rename itself in honor of the band’s multi-platinum success.
The famous picture used for the album’s cover was taken right on a crossing outside the studio, making it a popular photo stop for visitors. In addition, Abbey Road has a shop, and a wall that visitors are encouraged to write on. The studio is even known to have open houses occasionally.
Graceland-Memphis, Tennessee
The massive estate of the late Elvis Presley isn’t just a must-see for music fans when they visit Memphis, Tennessee, it’s also the first site on the National Registry of Historic Places in relation to Rock and Roll. Fans of “The King” travel from far and wide to experience the lavish and expensive mansion that Elvis called home.
There are many exhibits and displays showing off all of the Elvis memorabilia owned by the estate. They host musical events and celebrations of Elvis’s music for fans interested in live music while they’re visiting. In fact, so many people visit this site each year that they built a resort nearby called The Guest House at Graceland.
Paisley Park-Chanhassen, Minnesota
Like Graceland, fans still travel from far and wide just to get a glimpse of the place that Prince called home. Located in Chanhassen, Minnesota, Paisley Park isn’t just the former home of the late recording artist, it’s also an active museum, state-of-the-art recording studio, and concert venue. Prince named the estate after his song of the same name. And ever since it opened its doors in 1987 it has inspired creativity and community in the music world.
The estate offers several different types of tours, so you can experience Paisley Park for yourself.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-Cleveland, Ohio
Probably the most famous musical destination is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hall of Fame opened in downtown Cleveland in 1986 and serves as an extensive museum documenting rock music. It also awards various musicians’ entry during a massive award show every year.
You can visit the museum daily! And diehard fans can even purchase a Rock Hall Membership to get exclusive access and discounted merchandise.
Keep on Truckin’
There’s a whole world of music history just waiting to be explored. It reaches to every inch of the globe. We understand our modern world better when we look back at the stories and lessons of the past, so the next time you find yourself traveling to a new destination, look for the musical influences that are present there. You won’t be disappointed.
One of our greatest adventures through musical history was when they visited the historic site of Woodstock music festival in Bethel, New York. Read all about out Woodstock travels!
