• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum

Immerse yourself in the origins of rock and roll and soul music at this excellent museum from the Smithsonian folks. 901-205-2533; www.memphisrocknsoul.org; 191 Beale St, Memphis; adult/child $10/7; 10am-7pm;

Ryman Auditorium

Tour this venue of biblical importance to country music (the Grand Ole Opry stayed here for 31 years) or catch a show if you can. 615-889-3060; www.ryman.com; 116 Fifth Ave N, Nashville; adult/child $12.50/6.25; 9am-4pm

Sun Studio

If music were Christianity, this would be the birthplace of Jesus himself. It was here that Elvis changed the world. No children under four. 901-521-0664; www.sunstudio.com; 706 Union Ave, Memphis; adult/child $10/free; 10am-6pm

EAT

Abe’s

Bone-sticking good barbecue is the calling at this road-food classic immortalized everywhere from blues tunes to Mississippi Delta novels. 662-624-9947; 616 State St, Clarksdale, MS; mains $3-12; 10am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat, 11am-2pm Sun;

Commander’s Palace

A Nola classic with a weekend jazz brunch and the best bread-pudding soufflé in town. 504-581-2534; 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans; mains $27-38; 11:30am-2pm & 6:30-10pm Mon-Fri, 11:30am-1pm Sat, 10:30am-1:30pm Sun

Club 300 Jazz Bistro

French Quarter newcomer serving fine Creole cuisine over live jazz performances, beginning at 6:30pm (Sat & Sun) and 7:30pm (Sun-Thu). 504-899-8221; 300 Decatur St, New Orleans; mains $15-43; cover $5; meals 5pm

Earnestine & Hazel’s

Former brothel-turned-juke joint serving up memorable “Soul Burgers.” Otis Redding, James Brown and Elvis Presley would concur were they alive. 901-523-9754; 531 S Main St, Memphis; mains $4-7; 7am-3pm daily, dinner Fri;

Rotier’s

The cheeseburger served here, served on French bread, is rumored to be the one Jimmy Buffet was talking about in his famous song. Its near the Vanderbilt campus. 615-327-9892; 2413 Elliston Pl, Nashville; mains $4-14; 10:30am-10pm Mon-Sat

DRINK

Bluebird Café

This divey institution is the place to get discovered in Nashville (just ask Garth Brooks). 615-383-1461; 4104 Hillsboro Rd, Nashville; cover free-$15; 5:30pm-1am Mon-Sat, 6pm-midnight Sun

Ground Zero

Actor and owner Morgan Freeman’s take on an old-school juke joint inside a former cotton warehouse. 662-621-9009; www.groundzerobluesclub.com; 0 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, MS; 11am-2pm Mon & Tue, to 11pm Wed & Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat

Mr Handy’s Blues Hall

A classic juke joint, stale from the scent of 100 years of cigarettes and hard times. 901-528-0150; 182 Beale St, Memphis; cover weekends $5; 6pm-12:30am

Preservation Hall

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band holds court in this sonic museum of traditional Dixieland jazz. 504-522-2841; 726 St Peter St, New Orleans; cover $10; 8-11pm Thu-Sun

Red’s

Rusted grills pepper the outside; spicy, stick-to-your-gut barbecue beckons inside. 662-627-3166; 395 Sunflower Ave, Clarksdale, MS; cover $5; 9pm-late Fri & Sat

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge

There’s enough purple here to make Prince sick, but the talent and history make it a must-stop. Live music starts at 10am. 615-726-0463; 422 Broadway, Nashville; no cover; 9:30am-2:30am

SLEEP

Heartbreak Hotel

Elvis-themed hotel steeped in ‘50s kitsch and chic, just steps from Graceland. 901-332-1000; www.heartbreakhotel.net; 3677 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis; r from $125

Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

Its lobby jukebox is stocked with tunes from past VIP guests and its walls are lined with impressive music memorabilia. 615-320-1700; www.loewshotels.com; 2100 W End Ave, Nashville; r from $125

Madison Hotel

This music-themed boutique hotel is where rock stars stay in Memphis. You think you’re a rock star, right? 901-333-1200; www.madisonhotelmemphis.com; 79 Madison Ave, Memphis; r from $280

Shack Up Inn

Shotgun sharecropper shacks run by a straight-talking owner, and cozy retro rooms inside an authentic cotton gin on Hopson Plantation. You need to be over 25 to sign for a room. 662-624-8329;