7-Nights America's Music Cities

Oxford, MS

A statue on the courthouse square makes it clear: Oxford, Mississippi, is the hometown of William Faulkner—one of the literary heavyweights of the 20th century. The relationship between Faulkner and Oxford is an enduring one. The author modeled most of his settings on the town (called Jefferson in his novels) and the surrounding area (his Yoknapatawpha County).

Oxford still manages to seem a lot like the town Faulkner depicted, yet it avoids being a touristy re-creation. It's a quiet, pleasant place with an early-1900s look and a vital academic atmosphere that comes courtesy of the University of Mississippi.

The best place to appreciate the author's legacy—or just to enjoy some tranquil surroundings—is at Rowan Oak, Faulkner's longtime home, now run by the university. You can tour the white clapboard house (built in the 1840s) and see Faulkner's office—the working outline of the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Fable is scrawled across the walls. Or simply walk through the oak and magnolia trees that fill the property and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the place.

The most scenic way to reach Rowan Oak is to walk the Faulkner Trail that runs through Bailey's Woods from the university campus.

Downtown Oxford is centered around the Lafayette County Courthouse. In addition to the Faulkner sculpture, there's a much-older statue of a Confederate soldier that stands on a tall column: It's mentioned in the conclusion of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury.

On the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus, you'll find the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, where you can view limited-run exhibits and inquire about seminars and tours that the center sometimes offers. The university's John D. Williams Library displays Faulkner's Nobel Prize citation as well as other papers and mementos related to the author.

Thanks to the presence of the university, Oxford has some lively nightspots and a good reputation for live music. Some interesting shops are found on the town square, including Square Books (with a large selection and many literary events) and Neilson's Department Store (said to be one of the oldest stores in the country—opened in 1839).

The annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha County Conference takes place in July.

Memphis

Memphis is known as the home of Elvis Presley and as birth place of the blues. Don't forget to travel down Beale Street and listen to some of the worlds best blues bands. Hike, bike, golf, go for a balloon ride and take tours through the history of Elvis Presley's life. Don't forget some great sites in Memphis such as: Alex Haley's Home, Beale Street, and the W.C. Handy Home. Take a trip to the Memphis Zoo or jump on exiting amusement park rides at Libertyland Amusement Park.

Nashville

Nashville is the perfect destination for all kinds of visitors - from music lovers to history buffs to Southern lovers to sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. Nashville is the Country Music capital of the world. Have fun searching through the past or getting close to the Country Music stars of the present. Hike, bike, golf, go for a balloon ride and take tours guiding you through the history of country music. View homes of current stars including: Joe Diffie, Bryan White, Brooks & Dunn, Lorrie Morgan, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Marty Stuart, Dolly Parton and more. Find tons of historic sites from the Civil War dating back to the 1700s.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a happy, high-spirited city with the pulsing beat of Dixieland jazz. It delights visitors with its riverboats, Creole cuisine, quaint antique shops and narrow streets of the French Quarter. While here, be sure to take a ride on one of the picturesque trolley cars. Eccentric, elegant New Orleans is strongly connected to both the Mississippi River and the South, but its identity remains aloof from any regional or even national affiliation. It reminds some visitors of European cities, in part because French and Spanish colonial architecture adds an Old World backdrop to some streets. But the feeling of foreignness goes deeper: The celebrated New Orleans atmosphere, cuisine, music, traditions and lifestyle are rooted in an embrace of the decadent and assimilation of the unconventional. New Orleans welcomes all, but is familiar to none, and the result is a city which attracts the romantic, the spiritual, the wild and the inquisitive—all while successfully promoting itself as corporate America’s playground. No matter what is expected from a visit to New Orleans, no one goes home disappointed.