Music Memories Archives - Travel Frances

Philadelphia, PA: Things to Do

The rich history in this city includes intriguing museums and deeply important walking tours:

Museums (Indoor/Outdoor):

- Battleship New Jersey
- Betsy Ross House
- Carpenter’s Hall
- Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
- Fort Mifflin
- Franklin Institute (for science nerds)
- Benjamin Franklin Museum
- Independence Hall
- Liberty Bell Center
- Museum of the American Revolution
- Mutter Museum (for medical nerds)
- National Constitution Center
- National Liberty Museum
- Penn’s Landing
- Penn Museum (Archaeology)
- Philadelphia 9th St. Italian Market
- Reading Terminal Market
- Shofuso (Japanese Garden)
- United States Mint

Walking Tours – Many to choose from:

- Constitution Walking Tour (local)
- Context Travel (worldwide)
- Franklin’s Footsteps Colonial Walking Tour (local)
- Philadelphia Trolly Works (local)
- Viator (worldwide)

Events – The Philadelphia Folk Festival in August has been happening for almost 60 years! Worth the experience!

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Nashville, TN: Things to Do

SO MANY! The roots of music is very strong, as is their appreciation for those behind the music scene. You will need at least a week:

Museums

- Carter Vintage Guitars (vintage store)
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Glen Campbell Museum
- George Jones Museum (live music, food & drink)
- Hatch Show Print
- Johnny Cash Museum (live music, food & drink)
- Musician’s Hall of Fame
- Patsy Cline Museum
- Parthenon Museum
- Willie Nelson Museum

Tours

Live Music Venues

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Memphis, TN: Things to do

Things to do – SO MANY! There is a rich history of civil rights and the roots of rock-n-roll! You will need at least 3-4 days:

New Orleans, LA: Things To Do

Walking Tours – This is a great city for walking. I’ve done many walking tours – the ones that stand out are cemetery and French Quarter tours

- Abel Tours does a great Music & Heritage Tour.
- Civil War Tours of New Orleans
- French Quarter Phantoms
- Haunted History Tours
- JFK Assassination Tour through Historic New Orleans Tours was one of the most interesting tours I’ve taken!
- Many options on Viator.com, Yelp.com or Tripadvisor.com.

Walking Ghost Tours – Since New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in the US, definitely do a walking ghost tour – Yelp.com has many excellent reviews for ghost tours.

Other Tours:

- Especially if you’ve never been to New Orleans, the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen is a great way to learn about the city, feel the power of the Mississippi River, while having your favorite cocktail and possibly a meal.
- Another option is the Harbor Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez.
- Experience local distilleries at it’s best with a tour at Celebration Distillery.

Music Memories:

Live Music – Here’s my favorites with the styles of music they usually provide:

- BB King’s Blues Club (Blues, baby!)
- Maison (Django style)
- Maple Leaf Bar (Blues, funk, R&B, rock, Zydeco, Jazz, etc.)
- Mulate’s Original Cajun Restaurant (Cajun, what else?)
- Rock ‘n’ Bowl (especially on Zydeco Thursdays)
- Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (New Orleans Modern Jazz)
- Spotted Cat Music Club (traditional Jazz)
- Tipitina’s Uptown (great roots music)
- Tropical Isle Bayou Club & Music Bar (Trop Rock)

History – Several of my favorites:

- Civil War Walking Tours
- Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
- Milton H. Latter Memorial Library
- National WWII Museum
- New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
- Old US Mint (museum and music)
- Sazerac Bar (at Roosevelt Hotel)
- Southern Food & Beverage Museum
- St. Louis Cathedral

Special Events – Hands down, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival one of the best musical festivals in the USA!

Architecture – I haven’t taken one of these tours here yet, but if anyone has any suggestions, I’m all ears!