Follow the soundtrack of America from Miami’s electronic music scene to the jazz stages of New Orleans. Beginning at Ultra Music Festival, this route connects some of the country’s most influential music destinations, including Savannah, Charleston, Nashville, and Memphis. Best travelled by car, along the way, you’ll experience the Savannah Music Festival, explore the birthplace of country music in Nashville, discover the blues and rock & roll heritage of Memphis, and finish at the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
More than a festival itinerary, this road trip follows the evolution of American music through the cities, venues, and cultures that helped shape it.
The American Music Cities Trail begins in Miami, where Ultra Music Festival transforms Bayfront Park into one of the world's premier electronic music events. DJs, producers, and music fans arrive from across the globe, creating an atmosphere unlike any other stop on the route. Beyond the festival grounds, Miami offers vibrant neighborhoods, art-filled streets, and waterfront energy that make it an ideal starting point. Spend a few days experiencing both the festival and the city before heading north toward Savannah and the next chapter in America's musical story.
Each spring, the Savannah Music Festival fills one of the South's most beautiful historic cities with performances ranging from jazz and blues to folk, classical, and international music. Unlike many festivals centered around a single venue, events unfold across theaters, churches, and intimate performance spaces throughout Savannah's walkable historic district. Between shows, visitors can explore oak-lined squares, riverfront streets, and some of the city's most celebrated restaurants. The combination of world-class music and Savannah's distinctive atmosphere makes this one of the most rewarding festival stops on the route.
Charleston Jazz Festival brings live jazz into the historic heart of Charleston, using theaters, clubs, outdoor spaces, and cultural venues rather than a single festival site. The festival reflects Charleston’s long relationship with music, hospitality, and performance, creating an atmosphere that feels more connected to the city than separated from it. Spend a few days exploring Charleston's walkable historic district, enjoying local performances, and experiencing the culture that has helped shape the Lowcountry for generations before continuing toward Nashville.
Known worldwide as Music City, Nashville is one of the most influential music destinations in the United States. From the historic Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame to the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway, live music is woven into daily life throughout the city. Visitors can tour legendary recording studios, discover emerging artists in intimate venues, and experience the traditions that helped shape country, Americana, bluegrass, and modern popular music. Whether you're attending a headline show or stumbling upon an unforgettable performance in a neighborhood venue, Nashville offers one of the richest music experiences in America.
Memphis is where the route shifts from Music City's songwriting culture to the roots of American popular music. The city is deeply connected to blues, soul, rock 'n' roll, gospel, and rhythm and blues, with legendary sites such as Beale Street, Sun Studio, and Graceland helping shape music far beyond Tennessee. Unlike Nashville's industry-focused atmosphere, Memphis feels closer to the source material—recording rooms, clubs, neighborhoods, and stages where influential musical traditions developed and continue to influence artists today.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans is the perfect finale to the route, bringing together many of the musical traditions encountered along the way. From the jazz clubs of Frenchmen Street and the historic atmosphere of the French Quarter to brass bands, second-line culture, and world-famous cuisine, music feels woven into daily life across the city. Visitors can spend their days exploring historic neighborhoods, riverfront districts, and cultural landmarks before settling into evenings filled with live music, local food, and the unmistakable energy that makes New Orleans one of America's great music destinations.
Toral estimate: $1,800–$10,000+ per person