If you’re having trouble getting the creative juices flowing, a change of scenery might be in order. Visiting  a new city is a great way to get inspired or break writer’s block. Some of these cities are well-known music towns that you need to visit at least once; others may have worthwhile music scenes but also have so much more to offer.

10. Salt Lake City

A crossroads city with a giant lake and soaring mountains surrounding an easy to navigate downtown, Salt Lake City is hundreds of miles from the next big city in each direction. People here have created a surprisingly vibrant music scene, especially in the punk and folk genres. Movie to watch: “SLC Punk.”

9. San Antonio

San Antonio contains a unique hybrid of two countries — America and Mexico — and Texas culture. Here you will discover a form of music created by this hybrid called Tejano, along with an incredible culinary and arts scene. Must-do: the less-crowded northern portion of the Riverwalk.

8. Memphis

The birthplace of rock-n-roll, the home of the blues, Soulsville U.S.A., Memphis should be a must-visit on any musicians list. It’s hard not to get inspired after stepping into Sun Studio on Union Avenue, where people like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash made their first records. It looks much as it did then and you can still record there. Also visit the STAX Museum of American Soul Music. Beale Street and Graceland are tourist traps but still worth a visit.

7. Athens

This quintessential small, southern college town that birthed REM, the B52s and so many other well-known acts continues to have very active, ever-evolving music scene. Best time to go: June for the AthFest music festival.

6. Seattle

Seattle inspires not only for its music scene but because it’s in the Pacific Northwest. Spend some time exploring the majestic natural wonders of the surrounding area such as those in Olympic National Park. If you want to fit in, don’t ever say the word “grunge.”

5. Austin

Another one of those legendary music towns that has so much more to offer than just the bevy of clubs downtown. Authentic Tex-Mex food joints and Hill Country will do just as much to inspire. Avoid Austin like the plague during SXSW when it becomes WAY overcrowded; that’s a time for networking, not inspirational getaways.

4. Key West

Even though it’s crowded with obnoxious tourists a lot of the time and has become over-commercialized, Key West still retains many of the charms that drew creative types here in the first place. Recommended: take the high-speed ferry to Dry Tortugas for the day or an overnight camping trip that won’t soon be forgotten.

3. New York City

What Sinatra sang is still true. ‘Nuff said.

2. Nashville

The inspiring thing about Music City for first-time visitors who are musicians is the sense of community they are likely to find. Go to any open mic at any club in any part of town and you will be amazed by the level of talent and friendliness of the locals. It’s not all country, either.

1. New Orleans

Katrina tried to knock the spirit out of the Big Easy’s music culture, but she didn’t succeed. What everyone feared was lost after the levee broke has come back full-force. N.O. is once again a musical and cultural force to be reckoned with, and musically it’s unlike any other place in the U.S.A. Best time to go: Jazz Fest in April and May.