Let music lead the way on this road trip through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas. Each stop tells its own story, showing how songs and sounds shaped not only the place but the culture of American. You’ll walk where legends once stood, hear the roots of genres that still move us today and feel the rhythm that connects it all. 

New Orleans, Louisiana’s Soulful Traditions

Fly into New Orleans, Louisiana, a city that moves to a beat all its own. Soulful jazz floats out of historical Preservation Hall, brass bands march along Frenchmen Street and buskers turn sidewalks into small stages that draw you in. The New Orleans Jazz Museum brings you closer with exhibits that show how music shaped the city and its people, keeping traditions alive through every generation. From here, the road calls again with a little more than a 2.5-hour drive northwest leading to Lafayette.

Jamming to Cajun Tunes in Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette, the heart of Acadiana (Louisiana’s Cajun Country), greets you with the sound of accordions and the shuffle of dancers two-stepping to Cajun and Zydeco beats. You’ll hear it at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles and the Zydeco Extravaganza, often called the Creole Coachella, where clapping crowds and quick smiles turn strangers into dance partners. At Blue Moon Saloon, jams carry late into the night, turning an ordinary evening into a celebration. La Maison de Begnaud gathers neighbors for weekly concerts that feel like family. When it’s time to roll on, the drive northeast takes another 2.5 hours northeast into Mississippi.

Southern Tunes & Tastes in Natchez, Mississippi

As part of the Americana Music Triangle, Natchez, Mississippi, has timeless rhythm to its streets and gathering spots. Smoot’s Grocery Blues Lounge sets the tone with live bands in a juke-joint atmosphere where a cold beer pairs easily with steady blues. Under-The-Hill Saloon, one of the oldest buildings in town, draws crowds on weekends with music and offers views of the Mississippi River just outside its doors. For a taste of Southern comfort, Biscuits & Blues serves hot biscuits alongside soulful tunes that keep the crowd smiling. Next up: Drive north to your next stop – or should we say stops?

Legendary Sounds of the Mississippi Delta

The Mississippi Delta, hailed as the birthplace of the blues, has a legacy so deep that you can feel it. In Bentonia, Blue Front Cafe, run by bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, hosts the annual Bentonia Blues Festival. In Clarksdale, Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by Morgan Freeman, features live shows four nights a week and sometimes invites guests to join.

The Gateway to the Blues Museum offers exhibits and a recording studio, while Dockery Farms in Cleveland stands as a historic site tied to the spread of the blues. Indianola’s B.B. King Museum honors the icon, and Cleveland’s GRAMMY Museum Mississippi showcases big music moment footage and exhibits. When the road calls again, drive two-and-a-half-hour drive northeast to a town pivotal to rock ‘n’ roll.

Life of The King in Tupelo, Mississippi

Tupelo is steeped in history, but for music lovers, it’s remembered as the place where Elvis Presley’s story began. At his Birthplace & Museum, you can walk through his two-room childhood home, restored to reflect the era, and explore the grounds where statues honor his legacy. The Tupelo Driving Tour takes you past 15 landmarks, from the Elvis Homecoming Statue to the schools he attended, giving a glimpse into his early life. Make sure to stop by the Mississippi Blues Trail market at the Shake Rag, once a historical African American community, which shaped Elvis’ music and the rock genre with its mix of blues and jazz. From here, hop in the car for a two-hour drive into Alabama.

Music & Arts Culture in Huntsville, Alabama 

Huntsville, Alabama, home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, may be called Rocket City – but music finds its way into the spotlight too. At Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, the Concerts on the Dock series brings local and national acts to an outdoor stage. Campus No. 805 adds more to the mix with free shows on Butler Green, perfect for lawn chairs and dancing in the grass. The award-winning Orion Amphitheater welcomes big-name touring artists and local festivals in an impressive, open-air atmosphere. Visit in April, when the Panoply Arts Festival fills downtown with food, art and live music. Once you’re ready to move on, it’s a little over an hour’s drive west to a pivotal place in music history.

Music Studios of Muscle Shoals & Florence, Alabama

North Alabama, with cities like Muscle Shoals and Florence, is a place where music feels woven into daily life. At FAME Studios, where Aretha Franklin recorded “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You,” you can almost hear the room still echo with her voice. Just a short drive away, the Rolling Stones brought to life “Brown Sugar” at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, adding their own sound to the region’s story. Tour both studios to hear countless other stories of the hits that were made here. In Florence, the W.C. Handy Home and Museum remembers the Father of the Blues with personal mementos and the piano he used for “St. Louis Blues.” In Tuscumbia, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame honors the state’s artists with exhibits and heartfelt tributes. From here, it’s about a two-and-a-half hour drive northwest to hear Memphis’ singular sounds.

Honoring Musicians in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee, wears its nickname – “Home of Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll” – with pride. Beale Street comes alive nightly with these genres and more pouring from neon-lit clubs. At Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion, you’ll find walls of gold records, exhibits honoring music legends who inspired him and tributes from modern artists keeping his influence alive. 

A tour of Sun Studio takes you to where Elvis first recorded and shares stories of others who played here including B.B. King, Roy Orbison and Howlin’ Wolf. The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum tells the story of musical pioneers and their impact on American culture, while the Stax Museum of American Soul Music highlights instruments, costumes and exhibits that bring soul music to life. Take your time seeing it all in vibrant Memphis before hitting the road for five-hour trip into Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains.

Live Performances in Artsy Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville, Arkansas, reveals a creative side that surprises many visitors. The Momentary blends music, art and food in one space, hosting free concerts year-round and filling its galleries with contemporary artwork. Nearby, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art stands out with striking architecture, daily programs and tours — and admission is always free. For live shows, the Walmart AMP in nearby Rogers ranks among the nation’s top amphitheaters, welcoming big names from Halsey to the Jonas Brothers. After you’ve enjoyed Bentonville’s charming downtown and local bike culture, prepare for three-hour drive to your last destination.

Music Moments in Little Rock, Arkansas

The capital of Arkansas, Little Rock is remembered for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement and as the home of former U.S. president Bill Clinton, but the city also finds its voice through music. Located alongside the Arkansas River, the River Market District is where people gather for shopping and dining, as well as concerts, film screenings and other events, keeping the streets busy well into the evening. For something more intimate, the White Water Tavern feels more like a neighborhood hangout with its low-key cold drinks and live bands. You might even stumble into a karaoke night, where the crowd becomes part of the show. It’s one more memory to carry as you start your journey home from Little Rock’s Clinton National Airport.