The spectacular skyline of Austin, the state capital of Texas, which presides over the Colorado river
(Image credit: Visit the USA)
Few places in the world can offer a holiday that mixes towering forests and towering skyscrapers, white sand beaches and white snowy mountains, or blue prairie skies with the world’s best blues music. The USA does exactly that —and more. The incomparable Floridian theme parks and the sizzling New York night life are often the first port of call for visitors, but the more you look, the more you’ll discover of this endlessly fascinating country. There’s a world of music, food and culture to discover in a host of destinations across the USA, things which you quite possibly never knew existed. So if you’re looking for fresh inspiration, or simply don’t know where to start, here are a few suggestions for music, culture and food that will take you beyond the gateways.
Willie Nelson, immortalised in a mural on the streets of Austin
(Image credit: Visit the USA)
Feel the music
Jazz, rock, country, R&B, house… the USA’s contribution to world music is legendary, and cities like Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans are all must-see destinations for those who want to go on a pilgrimage to the places that spawned their heroes.
But to see live bands of all kinds playing in person, there’s one place that should be top of your list: Austin, Texas. This endlessly charming city has carved out a reputation as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’, with more venues per head than anywhere on the planet. What’s on offer is as varied
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as it is extensive: Austin has everything from dive bars and discos to world renowned festivals and outdoor concerts, with artists belting out everything from jazz and R&B to disco and pop. Try the Broken Spoke for country music (the likes of Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton have played here), The Victory Grill for soul or R&B — while Johnny Cash fans absolutely have to visit the Mean Eyed Cat.
A selection of meats on the grill at Salt Lick, a Texas BBQ institution
(Image credit: Travel Texas)
Something on your plate
Visitors from Europe tend to stereotype American food as giant portions and cheese-on everything, but that does a huge disservice to the country, and ignores the fact that the US is home to one of the world’s great culinary treats:
authentic barbecue. Debates over which cities and states do it best are the stuff of flame wars (pun intended) across the internet, but you won’t go far wrong. For brisket, sausage and ribs, The Southside Market & Barbecue in Austin is the oldest barbecue joint in America and still as good as it gets, with a menu that retains influences of the German and Czech settlers who helped make the place what it is.
If you’re more of a classic barbecued lamb fan, the cast iron favourite destination is Kentucky — and The Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn in Owensboro is one of the temples of the art of smoked meat that falls apart as you eat. It’s celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and is still so popular with locals and visitors alike that they go through 10,000lb of meat each week. Wash your BBQ mutton down with a few slugs of the state’s other great contribution to global cuisine — bourbon — and a good time is guaranteed.
California's winelands are a treat for the eye as well as the palate
(Image credit: Visit the USA)
The good life
Culture and sophistication in the USA doesn’t begin and end with the world-famous spots in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. For art lovers, for example, The Dali Museum in St Petersburg, Florida, is arguably the best collection of the Spanish surrealist’s work in the world, while for a different pace of life the Shindig on the Green folk festival at Asheville, South Carolina, brings the town alive with bluegrass music, dance and storytelling in a mountain setting.
For a truly cultured, relaxing holiday, however, head to California. From sun-kissed beaches and ancient redwood forests to the charming towns of the wine country, it’s a part of the world that offers a true taste of the finer things in life. Oenophiles will find countless producers in the state’s six wine regions, where over 100 varieties of grape are expertly blended to produce some of the world’s finest vintages. And even those who don’t partake will love the small town charm of places like Calistoga, full of friendly, unique places to soak up the atmosphere. As always with the USA, there really is something for everyone.
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