Here's what most music lovers get wrong about road trips: they hit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and call it done, missing dozens of museums where music history is still alive, personal, and unexpected.
Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Josephine Matyas and Craig Jones, co-authors of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America, who've spent decades visiting music museums across the continent—from world-famous institutions to tiny storefronts kept alive by passionate locals. They've got the insider stories about what makes each one special, which ones are worth the detour, and why some of the smallest museums pack the biggest emotional punch.
From Chicago's blues archives to Detroit's Motown Museum, from Alabama's surprising music riches to Seattle's MoPOP celebrating grunge, Josephine and Craig reveal the museums that bring music history off the walls and into your heart. You'll hear about Minneapolis and the legacy of Prince, the studio musicians who shaped your favorite hits but never got famous, and why Craig's museum visit somehow ended with a pickup basketball game with Bob Seger.
But here's the reality: many of these smaller museums are struggling. Visiting them isn't just about your experience—it's about keeping music history alive for the next generation. Whether you're planning a music pilgrimage or just want to add depth to your next road trip, this episode will completely reshape what you think belongs on your travel list.
Crystal also shares her Gear of the Day—the one thing every music museum explorer should pack.
What You'll Discover:
• The music museums everyone knows (Rock Hall, Country Music Hall of Fame) and the lesser-known ones that rival them
• Why Alabama is a surprise goldmine for music museums—and what makes them worth the trip
• Seattle's MoPOP and how it brings the grunge era to life in unexpected ways
• Minneapolis, Prince, and the music museums that honor his legacy
• What makes Motown Museum in Detroit such an essential pilgrimage for music fans
• Hidden museum gems in places like Floyd, Virginia and Indianola, Mississippi that most travelers miss
• The unsung heroes of music: studio musicians whose work you know by heart but whose names you've never learned
• How small-town music museums are fighting to survive—and why your visit matters more than you think
This Episode Is For You If:
• You've been to the big music museums but want to discover the ones that still feel like secrets
• You love music history but want immersive experiences, not just glass cases and plaques
• You're planning a road trip and want destinations that add story and soul to your journey
• You want to support the passionate people keeping music history alive in small towns across North America
• You believe the best museums are the ones where you feel something, not just see something
Ready to Plan Your Music Museum Road Trip?
Grab a copy of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America and start plotting your route - we'll have a link at our Gear of the Day page: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD. Then come back and tell us: what's the most memorable music museum you've ever visited? Drop it in the comments—we're building the ultimate music lover's travel list together.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
