Music

One of the best times to go to Seattle is midsummer in July. The northwestern city, known for its rain, experiences only an inch of rain in July with highs in the seventies. The weather is great, so umbrellas are not necessary to explore this Emerald City in western Washington.

Standard tourist locations in Seattle are always open. However, watching the flying fish in Pike Place Market is considerably more enjoyable when it is not raining. Stroll down the street of the market to the first ever Starbucks or simply meander through the stalls of flowers, vendors of all sorts of things and take in views of the Puget Sound. Fresh seafood is abundant, and for those who enjoy fresh salmon, the Chinook and Sockeye salmon make their runs in late spring and early summer, so salmon is sure to be fresh this time of year.

July is a month filled with festivals and other attractions for Seattle. From July 5th to August 3rd is Seafair Seattle—the largest festival in the Northwest featuring the blue angels, hydroplane racing, a torchlight parade with balloons reminiscent of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, arts and crafts, food and tons of live music to enjoy. Another big event in July is the Bite of Seattle that runs from July 18-20. This event is all about the great food that Seattle has to offer. With more than fifty of Seattle’s finest restaurants featured, thirty food product companies, entertainment, and five beer gardens, this festival at the Seattle Center in the heart of downtown Seattle is fun for locals and tourists alike.

If the warm weather and festivities aren’t enough to draw your attention, Seattle’s other attractions are always in season. Seattle is the birthplace of many music legends. From Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain, Seattle’s music history is celebrated in the Experience Music Project as a part of the Seattle Science Center. While at this interactive museum you can record live music, learn to play guitar, and even form your own band. Just a short walk away is the ever-popular Space Needle, where birds-eye views of the city are spectacular. Eat at the rotating restaurant, or just stand on the viewing platform and wait to go 360 degrees around to where you started.

Take advantage of the weather and get outside the city to hike, bike, sail, boat and swim in the nearby lakes or mountains. This Northwest city is great in the Summer: not too cold; not too hot. This summer is the perfect to time to escape to, explore, and enjoy all the Emerald City has to offer.

Seattle Hotels
Seattle Restaurants

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The love of music is universal, filling our days with inspiration and beauty, providing a soundtrack to complement our emotions and daily life. Music often compels people to travel, too. The experience of a destination can be greatly enhanced by witnessing local music, whether in the form of live entertainment or exploring the musical history of a place through its museums and other attractions.

Music can be found all over the world, whether in cities like the music culture in Havana, Cuba, found in indigenous cultures like the traditional Andean music in Bolivia, or in Europe, where classical capitals are steeped in history but you can also find plenty of modern musical innovation.

Vienna

Vienna is one of the world’s top music destinations, as The Journeyers found out:

“For classic music buffs, Vienna is a must. It is the mother and mistress (a lot of the great artists weren’t actually from here but had their greatest work done while living in Vienna…maybe that should be wife but that doesn’t quite sound as romantic) to great composers like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. However, do not be fooled into going to a tourist aimed opera that 18th century dressed sales men try to push on you as you stroll around the old part of Vienna. Our Austrian friends warned us that the quality of those musicals are very poor indeed. They suggest to instead try and see something at ‘legit’ places like the Raimundtheater or the Wiener Konzerthaus.” (more…)

Realtraveler icehockeypunk11 wrote about her experience with Vienna’s music scene in her blog Mozart, Mozart, every where:

“The vast amount of creative work that came out of this city in the past cannot be ignored or forgotten. It spills into the current day. Classical music and opera still flourish here and the modern music scene lives vibrantly alongside these classical icons of artistic achievement. I was only there for a week and without any serious effort, managed to see an opera, ballet, and classical music concert– it was all so easily accessible and inadvertently drew me in. i looked back on every night and thought…wow I did a lot!

I also enjoyed going to one of Mozart’s former homes (he lived in about 14 different places while in Vienna…) which has been turned into a museum. So awesome. Packed with information and just the fact that I walked through the same place dear Wolfgang once sat and wrote his music was enough to put a permanent smile on my face.” (more…)

Other European Musical Destinations

— Salzburg, Austria is a classical music lover’s paradise, birthplace to Mozart and home of the world-famous Salzburg Festival which is held annually during the months of July and August. Travelers should stop by the Mozart House and Museum, as well.

— See the birthplace of another classical great, Beethoven, in Bonn, Germany.

—Each summer, Rome hosts the Rome Summer Festival, or the Estate Romana, a six-week, mostly outdoor extravaganza of shows at more than a dozen sites around the city. Music dominates the festival, though outdoor films are shown as well. Venues span from the Auditorium Music Park to historic ruins around the city, and the eclectic mix of music varies from opera and classical to reggae, rock, and jazz.

—Ireland is replete with music, especially of the traditional Irish genre. From small corner pubs to concert halls to street performers, travelers will find great music throughout this charming country. Galway in particular is known for its lively music scene.

—Visit the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod festival in Corwen, Wales for a unique treat! Read more about this festival, and a Realtraveler’s experience of it, here.

Europe Resources:

Ireland: A 10 Day Itinerary
Summer Arts in Rome (from the New York Times)
Live Music in Salzburg, AustriaEurope Travel Guide
Top Spots in Europe
Winter Festivals in Europe

United States

The United States is filled with music-filled destinations, from the vibrant country scene in Nashville, to the vast variety and quality of bands in New York City and Los Angeles, to blues and Graceland in Memphis, to the independent rock scene of Austin and more. There’s no shortage of places to go if you’re looking to experience amazing music.

One absolute must for music lovers is a visit to New Orleans, Louisiana, the “birthplace of jazz.” While Mardi Gras season is the most popular time to visit this musical mecca, a trip to the Big Easy during other times of the year is recommended, for the crowds and chaos are less and the music is just as plentiful.

I just returned back from a visit to New Orleans, one of my favorite cities, and what always strikes me about it, even post-Katrina, is the sheer amount of live music. Even without taking advantage of the many incredible music venues, you’ll hear great soulful music just walking down the street. In the French Quarter, music not only spills out from various bars but the street performers are worth a listen, from serious violinists to makeshift bluegrass bands. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, held each spring, is one of the most famous and remarkable music festivals in the world. Many people don’t know that it features many genres of music besides jazz. Plan a trip there– you won’t regret it!

To plan your excursions to popular musical destinations in the United States, visit:

New Orleans Travel Guide
New Orleans Attractions
New Orleans Hotels
Nashville Travel Guide
Memphis Travel Guide
Austin Travel Guide
New York City Travel Guide

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