Ideas for Weekend Music Road Trip

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Picture the open road stretching out ahead of you, a playlist full of your favorite tunes blasting through the speakers, and a weekend itinerary that’s all about experiencing some killer tunes with your favorite people. Sounds pretty perfect, right? The concept of “gig-tripping” (booking travel with the explicit purpose of attending a concert or checking out new music experiences) isn’t new, but it’s certainly taken off over the past few years. In 2024, 65% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials traveled or planned to travel more than 50 miles for a live event, and more than half of Gen Z jet-setters even flew just to catch a show, according to AAA and Bread’s Financial Survey.

But you don’t have to take off just for a once in-a-lifetime tour like Cowboy Carter or to see a mind-blowing venue like the Sphere. Some of the best performance moments happen in unexpected places — a busker on a street corner, a hidden dive bar. If that’s your idea of the ultimate road trip (scoping out some legendary music scenes and luxurious hotels that aren’t the driver’s seat of your Toyota Corolla) then buckle up. Whether you’re chasing the twang of country guitars in Nashville, the indie vibes of Austin, or taking in the electrifying skyline views of New York City, Hilton’s lineup of scene-y stays can turn your weekend getaway into a backstage pass. Let’s hit the road and check out five of the best Hilton hotels that make every weekend feel like a private concert.

If Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World,” then Hilton Austin should set the stage for your Texas-sized road trip. Located in the heart of downtown, this hotel brings the city’s legendary music scene right to your room with the Austin Music City Package. Think of it as your personal VIP pass to the best Austin has to offer: you’ll get a $50 food and beverage credit (great for fueling up before a night of bar-hopping along Sixth Street or South Congress) and an insider’s music guide (featuring a curated playlist of local hotspots and hidden gems). To sweeten the deal, you’ll also receive two welcome cocktails and a chocolate shaped like a vinyl record and guitar, because who doesn’t want to snack on sweet tunes?

From record stores to live music venues, Hilton Austin also offers exclusive local discounts so you’re always plugged into the city’s scene. Beyond the package, Hilton Austin boasts a rooftop pool with skyline views, craft cocktails at Cannon + Belle, and easy access to ACL Live, Stubb’s, and countless honky-tonks. It’s the perfect home base for a weekend of discovering why Austin’s motto is “Keep Austin Weird”.

When you’re headed to Music City, there’s no better place to check in than Graduate Nashville, a vibe-y retro spot that we guarantee won’t look like anything else on your road trip. Located right near Vanderbilt University, this hotel blends kitschy Southern charm with a deep appreciation for the city’s auditory history. From the moment you walk in, vintage country glam and Dolly Parton-meets-Wes Anderson decor sets the tone for your stay. But the real showstopper? White Limozeen, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant named after Dolly herself.

White Limozeen regularly hosts local artists for intimate live sets, so you could be sipping cocktails under pink umbrellas with a Nashville skyline backdrop and hear brand a new track from an up-and-coming artist. But if you want to be the star of the night, the hotel’s weird and wonderful Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole features karaoke backed by a live animatronic band, and feels like a honkey-tonk Chuck E. Cheese. From custom wallpaper featuring music legends, to neon pop art, this place just feels like one big, fun visual love letter to country music.

Craving a dose of those city lights? New York is the city that never sleeps, and Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square is where music lovers stay to keep the beat going all night long. This lifestyle hotel offers a sleek, modern space in the middle of Midtown, just steps away from Broadway, jazz clubs, and pop-up performances around every corner.

In the Sky Lobby on select nights, you’ll find local artists and DJs performing in the hotel’s buzzing lounge space, surrounded by panoramic city views. Even the rooms were designed with rhythm in mind — each Tempo by Hilton room comes with a “Power Down” playlist and a dedicated, well-lit “Get Ready Zone” in your room for some pre-show prep. Even if you don’t leave the hotel, Tempo is still a chic place to unwind at the end of the night with a cocktail or dance to a set under the lights of Times Square.

The good news too is that even if you’ve got tickets to see Billie Eilish at Madison Square Garden, or jazz at The Village Vanguard, you’re never more than a subway stop away. It’s a musical playground with the benefit of late night, post-show $1.50 pizza always just around the corner.

Ready to add a little southern charm (and some serious brass) to your road trip playlist? Head south to Hilton New Orleans Riverside, where jazz, funk, and zydeco beats come alive. Located right on the Mississippi River, this hotel places you in the heart of the Big Easy’s music heritage (you can even upgrade your room to soak in even more city skyline or river views).

Local musicians often bring their saxophones and trumpets to serenade guests in the lobby, turning your stay into a mini French Quarter fest. Speaking of that proximity to the French Quarter — just walk over to Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street, or Preservation Hall for the real-deal jazz experience. Feeling hungry after the show? Head to Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, which is famous for their charbroiled oysters — a local favorite that pairs perfectly with a night of brass bands.

Bonus tip: Time your visit for the French Quarter Festival or Jazz Fest for an unforgettable, music-infused weekend.

No music-inspired road trip is complete without a stop in Cleveland — home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. At Hilton Cleveland Downtown, you’re perfectly placed to dive headfirst into music history while enjoying a host of modern, luxurious accommodations.

The floor-to-ceiling windows in guest rooms and the Bar 32 rooftop bar offer killer views of Lake Erie and the city skyline. Just a short walk away, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a must-visit for any music lover, where you can see the costumes, guitars, and handwritten lyrics that defined generations. Nearby, the Flats East Bank district is also bursting with bars and venues where you can catch everything from blues to indie rock. After a day of exploring music history, kick back at the rooftop bar with a local craft beer and watch the city lights come alive.

We can all agree that a road trip is more than just racking up miles on your car. It’s the memories you make along the way, the songs you belt out on the interstate, and the thrill of discovering new sounds in new places. With these Hilton hotels, you’re not just getting a place to sleep — you’re getting a front-row seat to America’s greatest music cities.

So pack your bags, and be sure to use Hilton’s app to book ahead, especially since many of these properties sell out fast (like on festival or major concert weekends). Don’t be afraid to ask the concierge to give you recommendations during your stay, either (they know all the local secrets on where to find the most intimate venues, or even the location of the nearest record shop). So queue up your road trip playlist, and let’s hit the road for a weekend of local music flavor.