The soundtrack of the Southeast is a story that weaves together countless performers, many genres and plenty of cultural movements that changed the course of music history.
After all, it’s the land where hundreds of talented songwriters, gifted musicians and legendary performers have each made their mark, whether they were born and raised there or simply recorded in one of the storied studios there. Venues of national significance dapple the landscape, and stars — whether from a century ago or today’s top artists — are celebrated throughout.
Groups know the best way to appreciate music is to experience it, so here are six Southern destinations that promise a toe-tapping good time.
Elkins, West Virginia
With an anthem all its own that declares the state “almost heaven,” it should come as no surprise that West Virginia has its own music to share with the world. Located on the Mountain Music Trail, Elkins is a small town in Randolph County. It’s surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, making it a haven for outdoor adventure seekers. It’s also home to Davis & Elkins College, a private, nonprofit liberal arts college, where music-loving groups can find the Augusta Heritage Center. The center is known for hosting music-related events year-round, but especially the weeklong workshops dedicated to music, crafting and folklife.
These workshops and events have been bringing culture to both locals and visitors since it was opened more than 50 years ago. In 2026, the workshops will include Cajun, Creole & Classic Country Week, Blues Week, Old-Time Week, Bluegrass Week and Vocal Week. These workshops give participants a hands-on, immersive education about the topic of the week and provide them the chance to not only enjoy music, but also create it themselves. Other events include daylong workshops, concerts, dance classes and traditional foodways classes.
Big Timber Brewing, also in Elkins, is known to host live music and jam sessions on Thursday evenings, which groups will enjoy while sipping craft brews.
The Shoals, Alabama
The Shoals comprise a region in northwestern Alabama that includes the towns of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals along the Tennessee River. It’s an unassuming destination rich in history, and it’s a must-stop for those interested in music heritage. It’s the hometown to W.C. Handy, “the Father of the Blues,” and Sam Phillips, who held Elvis Presley’s first recording contract. Stars like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Cher and Bob Dylan each recorded music in the region’s studios, two of which are open for tours. And, of course, it’s also home to iconic music attractions that groups can tour to take the pulse of Alabama’s music scene, past and present.
One such attraction is the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, which features artifacts like Presley’s original RCA recording contract and the band Alabama’s tour bus. Interactive exhibits teach groups about the state’s top music legends, including those who simply stopped along the way to record a smash hit. Groups can opt for guided or self-guided tours.
In Florence, groups can head to the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library, a simple cabin where the blues legend was born. Today, it’s a museum containing hundreds of artifacts and memorabilia, including Handy’s piano. Fame Recording Studios can be found across the river in Muscle Shoals, while nearby Sheffield is home to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and Cypress Moon Studios; all three studios offer tours to educate visitors about the hit tracks produced there.
Groups can find live music almost daily at venues throughout the region or stop by the W.C. Handy Music Festival in July.
Macon, Georgia
There are plenty of reasons to visit Macon, Georgia: the 300,000 cherry trees that bloom each spring, historic attractions like the Tubman Museum and, of course, the city’s rich music heritage. The city is a mecca for soul music, thanks to the legacy of the artists who grew their talents and their genre there.
“Macon is the hometown to Otis Redding, Little Richard and The Allman Brothers Band, and that’s our biggest legacy,” said Marisa Rodgers, vice president and chief marketing officer at Visit Macon. “Macon has always been a center for music.”
Groups can visit the place where The Allman Brothers Band lived and recorded music. The large, Tudor-style home was once known as “the big house,” and now visitors can tour the historic Big House Museum. Some of the home’s rooms have been arranged to replicate how they looked when the band lived there. Self-guided tours are available.
Groups will have plenty of opportunities to learn about other local music legends, too. Before his untimely death in 1967, Redding helped his manager, Phil Walden, build the foundations for Capricorn Records. The independent label, officially started in 1969, quickly grew as it recorded music from talents like The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and Wet Willie. Today, it’s known as Mercer Music at Capricorn, a museum and active recording studio that is still recording new talent in the Macon area. Groups can visit the museum for a peek into the studio and for music-themed group experiences. They can also stop by the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, a newly opened center for youth music education that also creates custom experiences for groups.
Visit Macon offers self-guided tours along the Macon Music Trail, which highlights performance venues, album cover locations and significant sites of Macon’s music legends throughout the city.
New Orleans
The Big Easy, Crescent City, NOLA and more — New Orleans has no shortage of nicknames. Now there’s a new name for this world-famous city: UNESCO City of Music. It was recently awarded the designation as a Creative City for Music by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, making it one of only 10 cities in the U.S. to hold the distinguished title. And it’s really no wonder. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, though its diverse culture has also shaped genres like the blues, Cajun, R&B and more, making it a great stop for music-seeking groups.
“There are so many opportunities throughout the year for a group traveling to New Orleans to take in all kinds of music,” said MaryBeth Romig, assistant vice president of public relations for New Orleans & Company. “If they’re here for one of those outdoor festivals, they’ll hear back-to-back music. Groups also get to see some of the best New Orleans performers while here; we have so many great local musicians.”
Each year, the city has a dizzying buffet of over 130 festivals where live music can be enjoyed, from the lavish celebrations of Mardi Gras to the iconic New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture and many more. A lot of these festivals are free to attend, making them a great way for a group to pass a day in the city. In addition to live music across multiple stages, groups can grab food and beverages and shop art and artisan wares at these festivals to support local vendors.
When in town, groups can also head to the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the old U.S. Mint building on the edge of the French Quarter. The museum hosts many of these festivals but also offers group tours and free concerts on Tuesdays.
St. Louis
St. Louis is known for its Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument symbolizing the city’s history as the gateway to the West. But in addition to its pioneer history, St. Louis has a deep connection to blues music.
“St. Louis is full of music, and we have a long history with it, but even today, local artists are still pushing boundaries,” said Rachel Huffman, content manager at Explore St. Louis. “It’s very affordable and accessible and approachable to experience the music scene in St. Louis. It’s a scene that’s still alive and thriving, and it’s a good example of the creative energy the city offers.”
One of the city’s top music-oriented attractions is the National Blues Museum, which houses interactive displays and many artifacts related to the genre and frequently hosts live performances in its listening room. Groups of 15 or more receive discounted tickets, and additional experiences can be added on to enhance a group’s visit.
Notable live music venues are scattered throughout the city and include Broadway Oyster Bar, which features weekly blues sessions; Hammerstone’s, which boasts blues music almost nightly; Blueberry Hill, known for live music in its famous Duck Room; The Dark Room at The Grandel, which has a jazz jam every Wednesday night; and City Winery at City Foundry, which is great for dinner and a show.
But one of the best ways to experience music in St. Louis is with its many annual music events and festivals. Blues at the Arch is a free music festival hosted by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation in August each year that celebrates local and national blues talents.
Memphis
Memphis’ musical legacy is everywhere, from its street corners to its top attractions.
“There’s so much Memphis music legacy that’s still relevant to today because so much of the music you hear today is by artists who were inspired by Elvis or B.B. King or Johnny Cash or Isaac Hayes or Jerry Lee Lewis,” said Lauren Berry, director of public relations at Memphis Tourism. “But also, the city still has a thriving music scene, especially with hip hop and R&B that are still being produced here. Whether you like rock ’n’ roll or blues or soul, there’s a genre of music that Memphis has created that will be of interest to you.”
One of the top ways for groups to experience music in Memphis is the Memphis Mojo tour offered by Backbeat Tours, a well-known tour company that lets local artists bring the city’s musical history to life. These tours often feature music of their own as the bus rolls by some of the city’s music-related attractions.
These attractions include live music venues like the Overton Park Shell, where Elvis performed for the first time, and Sun Studio, where he recorded his first songs. Tours feature historic Beale Street, which is also a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail and is home to legendary venues like B.B. King’s Blues Club, a fantastic setting for groups to catch some live music and enjoy some soul food. Also important to the Civil Rights Movement are the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Memphis Rock ’N’ Soul Museum and the W.C. Handy Home & Museum. Groups can visit these attractions for a lesson on music history that intersects with the important social causes that shaped these musical genres.
A visit to Graceland is also a must to learn more about the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. They can explore the mansion, tour a museum full of exhibits, eat at Vernon’s Smokehouse and stay overnight at the music legend’s estate.
