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DoubleTree Suites By Hilton Minneapolis Downtwon
Market Rate: $229 You save up to 54%
#10 MINNEAPOLIS
Ever heard of Bob Dylan? Janet Jackson? Boys II Men? Patti LaBelle? The one thing they all have in common is crediting Minneapolis for their early success. The “Minneapolis Sound,” the funky subgenre of funk rock personified by Prince, The Time, Jimmy Jam, Morris Day and many more, brought Minneapolis out of the cold and into ‘Cool.” Paisley Park, Princes’ private sanctuary, is now open to the public for tours that document and honor his immeasurable contribution to music. The Twin Cities are still a major Midwestern Hub for major acts, thanks to their large venues but they also boast a large variety of more intimate clubs which attract up and coming national talent
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THE GUEST HOUSE AT GRACELAND
Market Rate: $139 You save up to 17%
#9 MEMPHIS
Memphis’ favorite son, Elvis, still reigns supreme with the opening of “The Guest House at Graceland” just across the way from the Mansion. Memphis continues to be a mecca for those that not only adore “The King” but have become acquainted with this magical city as whole and its famous Beale Street – place known for its incredible soul and blues. Any musicophile worth their salt will dissolve into the purity of sound that is Sun Records. And while you’re at it, do not miss Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the recording home of Aretha Franklin, Booker T & the MG’s, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and many more!
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THE INN AT OPRYLAND-A GAYLORD HOTEL
Market Rate: $161 You save up to 31%
#8 NASHVILLE
Just a hop skip and jump down I-40, you’ll find the fiddlin’ grounds of many of country music’s shiniest stars - Nashville, A.K.A. Music City. Poised near the top of everyone’s must visit lists, including Best Places to Travel 2017 (Travel and Leisure Magazine), and Places to Go in 2017 (AFAR and FROMMES). Nashville is home to scores of music elite, including Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Robert Plant, Alan Jackson, Wynona Judd, Sheryl Crow and so many more. With over 150 live music venues tucked into literally every nook and cranny of the city, there’s something for everyone. Besides, so much of it is absolutely free! The town is so full of talent don’t be surprised who might grab a mic, even in the town’s smallest of joints. Download the free Nashville Love Music Guide app to find out who’s playing.
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HILTON NEW ORLEANS RIVERSIDE
Market Rate: $239 You save up to 65%
#7 NEW ORLEANS
It’s easy to see why NOLA is #1 in Travel and Leisure’s Best Music Cities. Music is woven into the very fabric of the life, stitched seamlessly together with the spicy Creole cuisine and otherworldly nightlife! The French Quarter’s Bourbon Street is one of the liveliest in the country – music pouring from clubs and spilling upon the streets like floodwaters. Catch the iconic jazz scene at Preservation Hall where you can find the nation’s top jazz talent laying down stupefying nightly performances. Frenchman Street (where the locals go) is home to eclectic clubs with nightly performances from jazz and blues best up & comers. Jazz Funerals and Second Line traditions are still alive with brass bands celebrating the departed, through song.
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The Paramount Hotel
Earn up to $491 in Cruise Credits per night | A 29% Cash Back Value!
#6 SEATTLE
When you think “Seattle music scene” each generation has a different genre come to mind. For some it’s the birthplace and start to arguably the world’s best electric guitar talent, Jimi Hendrix. For others, it’s the epicenter of the grunge movement boasting incredible bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Today, Seattle is community that still is a draw for iconic music. A must-visit while you’re in Seattle is the MoPOP-The Museum of Pop Culture -which regularly features top Seattle Music influences and an insanely well-appointed Guitar Gallery (not to mention a Star Trek exhibit that is next to none).
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Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria
Market Rate: $239 You save up to 53%
#5 HOUSTON
And now a palate cleanser. Classical music lover? Houston surprises, coming in at #5 in Travel and Leisure’s top music cities due to the tremendous popularity of the Houston Symphony, the renowned Houston Grand Opera and leading-edge productions like Nixon in China and a reimagined Hansel and Gretel. Had enough “culcha?” Head out to Houston’s eclectic bars that have springboarded careers for household names like Lyle Lovett and the bearded wonders, ZZTop (don’t forget to dress sharp.) Then go the extra mile to check out places like Dosey Doe for great live country or catch the great singer songwriter vibe at Cactus Music. One, two, three, book it!
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The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
Market Rate: $199 You save up to 36%
#4 CHICAGO
No best music city list would be complete without a nod to the second-city, Chicago. Chicago’s version of Jazz and Blues was born when the great migration of traditional southern jazz melded with the blues in the 20’s. The result? Chicago Blues (Muddy Waters) and “Chicago-Style” Dixieland Jazz (Benny Goodman.) Venues like the Kingston Mines and The Green Mill keep these traditions alive today. Also not to be overlooked are Chicago’s soul, rock, hip hop and gospel music scene. And who can forget the group “Chicago”? At least, “Stay the Night – there’s room enough here for two.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel LA Downtown
Market Rate: $259 You save up to 39%
#3 Los Angeles
Bands with their “eye on the prize” all make their way to Los Angeles. Serving as THE hub for the music recording industry – L.A. is the scene to be seen. Legendary venues for showcasing talent (Troubadour, The Viper Room, The Mint) abound. Looking for something a bit more uptown? Bring a picnic and enjoy an outdoor concert at the Getty Museum or Holiday Bowl? Or try catching a performance at the legendary Wiltern Theater or Frank Gehry’s Disney Concert Hall - one of L.A.’s most architecturally striking achievements. You won’t miss a single note from the LA Philharmonic or any number of the incredible pop, jazz and rock musicians that perform there – not with those acoustics.
#2 NEW YORK
Start spreading the news, you’re leaving today … It’s as applicable to music as it is to every other facet of life. If you can make it HERE, well, you’ve made it, period. New York is home to some of the world’s most legendary venues; Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall are just a few that come to mind. A national act isn’t really a national act without New York on its schedule. Take in an award winning Broadway or off-Broadway production between enjoying an endless array of hole-in-the-wall clubs featuring every genre of music you can think of.
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OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT & SPA
Market Rate: $260 You save up to 40%
#1 AUSTIN
Home to Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughn and nicknamed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” who are we to argue? With outdoor festivals running nearly consecutively (SXSW, Austin City Limits and more) there’s no shortage of outdoor music fun. There are endless avenues of clubs, coffeehouses, bars and taquerias where you will be treated to sensational sounds—even the local grocery store will have some sort of musical performance happening! And with over 250 live music venues there’s literally something for every music lover to enjoy. Want to do a boot-scootin’ boogie? Try the Broken Spoke. Looking for rootsy American music? The Continental Club is the venue for you.