3 of the Best Cities for Music in the South

Before you ever set foot in these three Southern cities, you can already hear them. In Nashville, steel guitar riffs spill from neon-soaked honky-tonks. In New Orleans, brass bands parade past as jazz drifts from intimate clubs. In Savannah, mellow melodies float across moss-draped squares. Together, they showcase three distinct flavors of Southern sound—country, jazz and brass, and coastal jazz and blues—earning their place among the country’s best cities for music and making them essential stops for music lovers.

Nashville: The sound of songwriters and honky-tonks 

As the beating heart of country music, Nashville has rightfully earned its Music City nickname. It’s a place where aspiring songwriters share stages with touring pros—and where live music is simply a part of everyday life. 

Stroll along Lower Broadway, and you'll pass multistory honky-tonks, each one blasting its own take on country, rock, and Americana. For a dose of history, catch a show at the iconic Ryman Auditorium—the Mother Church of Country Music and a National Historic Landmark—where legends from Elvis to B.B. King to Johnny Cash have performed. 

Beyond the famous strip, Nashville's songwriting culture gives the city a uniquely intimate feel. Head to the 90-seat Bluebird Cafe for a twice-nightly In the Round, where multiple performers swap songs and stories behind them, accompanied by little more than a guitar. It's a chance to experience music the way it often begins here: one songwriter, one idea, and one memorable chorus at a time. 

Stay at the AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville, ideally situated just steps from Lower Broadway’s live music scene and within easy walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, or consider one of the other AAA Approved hotels in Nashville.

New Orleans: Where jazz, brass, and street music come alive

In New Orleans, music is woven into the city's DNA. Often called the birthplace of jazz, the Big Easy blends blues, brass band traditions, gospel, funk, and soul into a sound that feels both timeless and improvisational.

Wander through the French Quarter, and you'll hear it everywhere: in street performers' horns, in piano riffs tumbling out of open doors, and in second-line parades that can turn an ordinary afternoon into a rolling musical celebration. 

For a more focused jazz experience, step into one of the city's cozy clubs. Preservation Hall, a French Quarter institution since 1961, presents acoustic jazz in a small room with a legendary house band and nothing to distract from the music itself. Over on Frenchmen Street, multiple venues line a single block, making it easy to duck in and out until you find the sound that fits your mood—traditional jazz in one room, brassy party anthems in another, funk and soul grooves just next door. 

Stay at The Eliza Jane—a stylish hotel set in a collection of historic warehouses just a short walk from the French Quarter and the live music clubs of Frenchmen Street—or browse other AAA Approved hotels in New Orleans.

Savannah: A slower rhythm of jazz and blues

Savannah might be better known for cobblestone streets, historic homes, and Spanish moss, but its music scene offers a softer, more intimate counterpoint to its louder Southern cousins. The soundtrack leans toward jazz trios, bluesy singer-songwriters, and small ensembles playing to cozy rooms and intimate stages along the waterfront—and that lower-key approach fits perfectly with evenings that unwind at a walking pace.

Many of Savannah's best spots are tucked into historic buildings near the riverfront or close to the city's famed squares. Jazz’d Tapas Bar brings that atmosphere to life with live jazz several nights a week, candlelit tables, and a menu to match. For something more laid-back, Rocks on the Roof, a rooftop bar atop the Bohemian Hotel, offers live acoustic sets paired with sweeping views of the Savannah River. Rather than shouting over the bands, guests at both venues settle in and take in jazz standards, soulful covers, and original tunes tailored to the room, letting the night unfold one song at a time.

Stay at the AAA Four Diamond JW Marriott Savannah, Plant Riverside District—or explore other AAA Approved hotels in Savannah.

Selecting your Southern soundtrack

Each of these cities offers a distinct take on Southern sound: Nashville leans into country and songwriters, New Orleans pulses with jazz and brass, and Savannah wraps its intimate jazz and blues scene in historic charm. Together, they rank among the best cities for music in the South.

There's no wrong place to start; just pick the soundtrack that speaks to you, and then build a trip around live performances, local venues, and nights that end a little later than you planned.