America’s best music cities

Garth Brooks performs at the 2015 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony in Nashville, Tenn.

Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes performs at the 2016 Panorama NYC Festival in New York City.

Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez performs with dancers during the Q’Viva! The Chosen Live show in May 2012 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Festivalgoers listen to the Austin, Texas-based, Sound Team in Grant Park on opening day of Lollapalooza in 2006.

Selena Gomez performs at Staples Center in July 2016 in Los Angeles.

Paul Westerberg performs at a benefit concert in 2004 in Minneapolis.

Ellie Goulding performs in June 2016 in Miami.

A David Bowie display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.

Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches performs at the Boston Calling Music Festival in September 2015 in Boston

Interstate 95 in March 2010, in Providence, R.I.

Kendrick Lamar performs during the 2013 Budweiser Made In America Festival on Sept. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia.

The skyline in Houston.

It doesn’t get the credit that New Orleans does, but many consider this midwestern city the birthplace of jazz, having given the world Count Basie and Charlie Parker. Today, you’ll find plenty of spots, such as the Majestic Steakhouse, for reliving those musical glory days, and you can do so without breaking the bank.

Fiona Apple performs at Newmark Theater in October 2013 in Portland, Ore.

The Northwest city has a healthy indie rock scene, especially if you find a band performing outside during the drier months.

Seattle has a lot of great musical ghosts—you can drive by Kurt Cobain’s last home, or go visit Jimi Hendrix’s grave just outside of town.

Pete Wentz and Fall Out Boy perform at the Rock the Vote Ballot Bash in Denver in August 2008.

Lonnie Rashied Lynn of Common performs at the Music Midtown festival in June 2005 in Atlanta.

Chuck Berry, right, and his band play at the Blueberry Hill restaurant in 2011 in St. Louis.

Mike Campbell and Tom Petty perform at Viejas Arena on Aug. 3, 2014, in San Diego.

Cher performs at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on May 16, 2014.

Jack Johnson and Eddie Vedder sing at the fourth annual Kokua Festival at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu on April 21, 2007.

Fitz and the Tantrums perform at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas, on July 23, 2016.

DJ Blossom performs at Urbane Manner on Jan. 22, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe exemplifies the distinctive architecture of the town.