TRAVEL WRITERS SELECT NORTH AMERICA’S TOP 10 CITIES FOR LIVE MUSIC

08-29-2009

 

 

August, 2009:    The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, recently polled its members to come up with the “Top 10” best North American cities for live music. 

            “Travel should involve all five senses, and one of the great travel experiences is listening to live music in the places where it originated or in spectacular settings,” says SATW president, Bea Broda.

            Listed in order of votes with comments from SATW writers, here are North America’s “Top 10” destinations for live music.

 

1.       New Orleans, Louisiana, www.neworleanscvb.com

“New Orleans bleeds music – it’s in the air, in the water, in the people.  You can’t go to New Orleans without the music swallowing you whole.”  Lisa A. Tomaszewski, travel editor, HMP Communications

 

2.      New York City, www.nycgo.com

“Where else can you “Rent” a seat next to some “Guys and Dolls,” let down your “Hair” and be transported anywhere from the “South Pacific” to “Chicago,” and leave the theatre thinking, “Mamma Mia!” that was some enchanted evening!” Evelyn Kanter, freelance travel writer/photographer

 

3.      Austin, Texas, www.austintexas.org

“Only in Austin, Texas can you go for super-delicious and inexpensive barbecue, sit outdoors at a picnic table and hear decent live rock at no additional charge.” Carole Terwillger Meyers, travel writer

 

“Austin is home to the yearly South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival, where nearly the entire city becomes a music venue for a week. There are hundreds of live shows a day, making it just as fun for locals as for industry executives.” Joshua Hinsdale, freelance travel writer

 

4.      Nashville, Tennessee, www.visitmusiccity.com

“Nashville isn’t just the ‘home’ of country music.  It’s the heart and soul of country music.” Steve Winston, freelance travel writer

 

5.      Chicago, Illinois, www.choosechicago.com

“Chicago's reputation as home of the blues can't be understated, with live shows available at clubs every night.  The diverse neighborhoods and city-sponsored events also offer live music, from Old Town School of Folk Music to Lollapalooza in Grant Park and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  It's all here, all the time.”  Laurie Borman, freelance travel writer

 

6.      Memphis, Tennessee, www.memphistravel.com

“Barbecue and blues, blues and barbecue.  Memphis is a foot-tapping, sensory delight.”  John H. Ostdick, freelance travel writer

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