Travel the Natchez Trace & Experience the Americana Music Triangle this National Travel & Tourism Week

National Travel and Tourism Week of this year is May 2 – May 10, and The Natchez Trace is thrilled to invite you to travel the beautiful and historic Parkway! We’re also encouraging you to check out a new musical adventure you are sure to love. Take a look…

First celebrated in 1984, the week was established by congressional resolution and aims to encourage people from all over the world to get out and see our great country. We are especially excited about this event! There’s no better time to travel the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway. From outdoor lovers to foodies, there’s plenty to do along this 444-mile historic Parkway. And for those of you who are interested in music, you’re in for a special treat this year.

Some of our local friends have taken historic, cultural, and musical preservation and promotion to a whole new level. We’re talking about the Americana Music Triangle! The project connects you the people, places and stories of the top music destination: Southeastern United States, specifically points of interest between Nashville, Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee.

Blues, jazz, country, zydeco, gospel, and everything in between can be found in this special corner of the southeastern United States. Experience the Americana Music Triangle through its world-famous music landmarks, tucked-away locations and one-of-a-kind stops. The best part? A huge chunk of the Natchez Trace Parkway runs right through these musical points of interest, so you can experience the history of the Trace AND the history of musical legends throughout time.

Along the Americana Music Triangle, you can find the city where jazz was officially born, otherwise known as New Orleans. You’ll find the home of blues legend John Lee Hooker in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and the little recording studio that cut records for Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

And there’s a lot more where that came from! There are SO many musical delights you can enjoy from New Orleans to Natchez, to Vicksburg to Memphis, to Memphis to Nashville, to Nashville to Muscle Shoals, and Tupelo back down to New Orleans. Check out the driving trails here.

We are particularly happy about the Americana Music Triangle project because the organizers took care to select 1,500 miles of historic highways that’s best for those who want to trace the path of American musical traditions and, as it turns out, the Natchez Trace Parkway makes up hundreds of those miles!

The Americana Music Triangle project lists all sorts of points of interests and local communities to check out along the way. If you make the wise choice to follow the Trace on your tour of America’s music, you’ll find numerous points in common. There are communities all along the scenic Parkway that offer the best in local eats and cozy accommodations.

Even if you can’t make it to the Trace during this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week, the scenic byway is a top spot for music and culture any time of year! Part of that is because the Natchez Trace doesn’t allow commercial vehicles and sets a safe speed limit, perfect for cruising and taking in the pure beauty and attractions. This makes our lovable trail from Natchez to Nashville the best choice for anyone looking to take in the tunes through the heart of the American Music Triangle.

So check out the Americana Music Triangle to see what perks your musical interests, and be sure to plan your trip so you don’t miss out on all the Trace has to offer. Enjoy your exciting, historic, audible adventure!

See photos and keep up-to-date by following The Natchez Trace on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @TheNatchezTrace. Hashtag #NTTW2015 this National Travel & Tourism Week, too!