Musical City Tours in the U.S.

Looking for the ultimate musical sightseeing tour of your city?

From Elvis Presley’s golden soul of rock ‘n’ roll, to the jangly sun-soaked anthems of The Beach Boys, to the psychedelic guitar stylings of Jimi Hendrix, the USA has so many rich musical stories to tell. Countless legends have made their musical mark on these United States, so it’s no wonder we’re provided with ample opportunities to re-live their legacies.

Whether you want to explore the punk scene of the East Village in NYC, dance your way through the jazz-filled streets of New Orleans, or learn how Grunge was born in Seattle, any music fan is sure to uncover adventure in the States.

We’ve rounded up the must-do Musical City Tours, from Washington D.C. to Seattle Washington, from the history of Punk to the history of Grunge, so whatever your chosen genre, rock up and enjoy the ride!

What are you waiting for? Browse our selection of top musical tours to get the best out of your city.

Washington D.C. Museum of American History Through Music Tour 

The nation’s capital is of course famed for its rich political history, but you might not know it also has a rich musical history to offer visitors and locals alike.

This fun and educational experience gift begins when you meet your friendly and knowledgeable guide at the Museum of American History in the Nation’s Capital. You and the rest of the group will be escorted to the Star-Spangled Banner exhibit where you will discover everything there is to know about the national anthem, including the war that sparked the song.

Then, you will dance on over to the African-American history and culture gallery exhibit and the ‘Many Voices, One Nation’ exhibit where you will learn about world’s most famous musicians, view many musical artefacts and discover the beautiful history they hold.

Discover music’s surprising relevance to the country’s historical events, political music and times of struggle.

Los Angeles Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus Tour 

The sun-dappled streets of L.A. are home to so many brilliant things… stylish eateries, the odd Hollywood star, and of course, small dogs in handbags.

For the purpose of our list, however, the most interesting thing to explore throughout L.A. is its musical legacy. With Dearly Departed Tours, you’ll be taken on a musical journey through the ages as you wine and dine in the establishments made famous by L.A.’s rock ‘n’ roll elite.

Stroll down the Sunset Strip, visit L.A.’s most famous musical landmarks including recording studios, night clubs and record companies, and view the homes of Laurel Canyon’s rich and famous.

During your unique tour, you’ll learn about such rock royalty as The Doors, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, The Mamas & Papas, and many more.

Stalking Seattle Musical Tour

Seattle is famous for being the birthplace of the genre that dominated the 1990’s: Grunge, of course. From Nirvana to Pearl Jam, the city has spawned more famous Grunge acts than you can shake an oversized sweater at.

Your Stalking Seattle Musical Tour is led by a Grunge expert and super-fan, who will take you to all the best spots in Seattle for fans of this enduring genre.

Stops include The Paramount Theatre where Nirvarna shot an extended video, the famous Jimi Hendrix statue, The Moore Theatre where Pearl Jam’s Even Flow video was filmed, The Singles apartment building (the true encapsulation of all things 90’s), Crocodile Cafe, Kurt Cobain’s house, and The Central Saloon where Nirvana played their first ever show in 1988… plus many more sights.

While you explore Seattle’s musical legacy, your guide will regale you with insights into this much-loved genre and the people who made it great.

New York City East Village Rock-n-Punk Tour

It’s no secret that the many eclectic neighborhoods of New York City are bustling with musical history and concert venues.

Check out the sites and hear the stories of The Ramones, New York Dolls, CBGB’s, Andy Warhol, The Velvet Underground, The Fillmore East, Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop and more. Your guide will take you where they played, lived, shopped and shot album covers as you learn about the rich musical history of this historic New York neighborhood.

Though many of these landmarks have changed, their memories continue to inspire today’s artists.

Chicago Music Tour, Inc 

Home to deep dish pizza, eclectic neighborhoods and a history of 1920’s gangsters, Chicago is a rich and interesting city.

Join a tour as varied and eclectic as the city itself in the form of this Chicago Music Tour. Whether you favor jazz, blues, rock, classical or soul music, Chicago Music Tour can provide an evening out for you. Simply pick your poison and begin a musical journey like no other!

During your two hour tour, your expert guide will curate a hand-picked soundtrack of songs from your chosen genre for each sight or stop. Whatever you choose, your guide will give you behind the scenes insights into your favorite musical artists and take you to the venues that made them famous.

Austin Music Tours

The ‘weird’ city of Austin is filled with quirky bars, restaurants and of course music venues. With so many incredible local acts playing every night, it can be overwhelming for visitors trying to fit everything in!

Cut out the guesswork with this Austin Music Tour by Austin Detours. You won’t need to worry about who’s playing where, traipsing around to find the best venues – all the hard work is done for you, so you can just turn up and enjoy the music.

Your local guide, a musician and knowledgeable Austinite, will lead you and the rest of the group through the city’s top bars and music venues so you can catch all the local acts. There’s no tacky cover bands to be found here; just authentic, Austin-based acts making a splash in the local music scene.

Along the way, your guide will treat you to insider info on Austin’s musical landscape, the history of live music in general, and the most iconic venues in the city. This tour is a must-do for music-loving locals and visitors alike.

New Orleans Music and Jazz Tour

Of course, New Orleans is the place to be for fans of jazz… but if you’re visiting to hear some local acts, trying to figure out where to go can be a struggle. That’s where this Music and Jazz Tour comes in.

Your Big Easy musical adventure begins when you meet your friendly and local guide at the beautiful Louis Armstrong Park. As you and the rest of the guests take a stroll through the park that is named after one of the jazz greats, you will learn about the historical origins of jazz music.

Next, you will be escorted through the Marigny neighborhood and to the famous Frenchmen Street to visit the best local music venues around. Have a beer as you look out for impromptu street performances and go behind the scenes to see the bands between sets. The tour concludes at the nightly art market, showcasing local artists work from sculptures to photography.

Haight-Ashbury San Francisco Tour: A Musical Trip of The 60’s

Painted ladies, LGBTQ+ culture, amazing food and a little something called The Golden Gate Bridge… it’s easy to see why San Francisco amasses so many visitors, and is thought of to be a wonderful place to live.

Along with incredible architecture and a bustling food scene, San Francisco also boasts an impressive musical history. Join your guide on this tour of Haight-Ashbury… an incredible, storied neighborhood filled with musical history.

Back in the 1960’s when psychedelia reigned supreme and flowers were a fashion statement, Haight-Ashbury was the place to be for psychedelic drugs and musical legends. This neighborhood was home to such musicians as Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead, who permanently made their imprint on Haight-Ashbury.

Armed with a guitar and plenty of historical knowledge, your guide will take you through the events and history of this magical era. Follow them as they take you through the best neighborhood in San Francisco and tell you the stories that make it great!

Thanks for reading!

That concludes our guide to musical tours in the US. We hope you’ve found something great from our selection, but if you’re still looking, don’t forget to browse our full range of U.S. city tours here.

Got a question? Please feel free to leave a comment; we’d love to hear from you!