5 Hip-Hop, R&B and Jazz Museums and Tours to Check Out This Summer

I made a list of a few hip-hop, R&B, and jazz festivals you should check out in the summer. So, in the spirit of that, I decided to research and share five hip-hop, R&B, and jazz museums or tours you should check out if you decide to travel. As I mentioned in my other post, make sure to leave comments on other museums folks should check out that I may not have mentioned. 

Motown Museum 

Detroit, MI [Website]

I mean...it’s Motown. Hitsville, U.S.A. History exhibits, tours, educational events, music, and more. It also provides event rentals. The museum is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, with summer hours allowing the museum to be open on Sundays (except for major holidays). 

Price: $15 (for adults on Fridays-Sundays), $12 for adults on Tuesdays-Thursdays, $10 for seniors, $8 for children 12 and under. 

The American Jazz Museum 

Kansas City, MO [Website]

Opened in 1997, the museum has exhibits, events, performances, and educational activities on everything related to jazz. If you’d like, while you’re there, you can check out the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The museums are open Tuesdays-Sundays (except for major holidays). 

Price: $10 for adults (or $15 for both museums), $9 for seniors ($13 for both), $6 for children 5-12 ($8 for both), free for children under 5. 

Stax Museum of American Soul Music 

Memphis, TN [Website] 

The Stax Museum is based in the original building and on the history of Stax Records, the record label and recording studio that was the home of Otis Redding, Booker T & the M.G.’s, Rufus, Isaac Hayes, and more. The museum has various exhibits and special pieces, including replicas, holds events, and provides rental spaces for events. It is open Tuesdays-Sundays (except for major holidays). 

Price: $13 for adults, $12 for seniors, military, and students with ID, $10 for children 9-12, free for members and children 8 and under. 

Apollo Theater 

Harlem, NYC [Website]

The venue itself isn’t a museum, but at the same time, it is. Filled with memories and history of the performances of some of the greatest artists in hip-hop, R&B-soul, and jazz, and some of the greatest performers, it’s open to the public to a one hour tour by reservation only (click the website link above on how to request a tour). Tours are run at specific times daily (11 AM and 1 PM or 3 PM on certain days) and vary in price due to groups and days. 

Price: Individuals - $16 on weekdays, $18 on weekends; Non-profit orgs - $14/person on weekdays, $16 on weekends; Elementary schools - $10/child; Middle and High schools - $14/child. 

Hush Hip Hop Tours 

various locations throughout NYC [Website]

While you’re in New York, you should consider taking a hip-hop tour! With hip-hop tour guides and tours to various important places that have shaped the genre or have been mentioned in the music, you’re pretty much destined to get a good oral history of hip-hop. 

Price: Varies based on which tour you take ($35-$70 for general admission; additional prices for specific souvenirs or VIP). 

If you have any suggestions of other museums or tours to add to this list, leave a comment or tweet me at @amirahrashidah.