Ever get tired of going out to the same ol' local concert venues? Sure, you know all the ins and outs at your neighborhood club — like where to park and which bartender pours the best drinks — but where's the excitement in that?

Maybe it's time to pack up your bags and experience some music in another part of the country.

There are dozens of tuneful (and tune-filled) cities in America, but only a few truly great ones. The following are some of our favorite musical destinations (listed alphabetically):

AUSTIN, TEXAS

This groovy college town, home to the University of Texas, promotes itself as "The Live Music Capital of the World." Visit during the South by Southwest music conference, which features more than 1,800 acts performing at 70 venues each March, and you'll have trouble disputing that claim. Plus, the Austin City Limits Music Festival features dozens of headliners each October.

Even when those festivals aren't running, Austin seems to be alive with tunes.

Top attractions • Every city should have a small outdoor amphitheater like Stubb's, where one can dance under the stars and enjoy tasty barbecue; 801 Red River Street, stubbsaustin.com, 1-512-480-8341. Try to attend a taping of the popular "Austin City Limits" TV music series, which features major acts such as R.E.M., Coldplay and Willie Nelson; austincitylimits.org/blog, 1-512-475-9077.

When to go • South by Southwest draws music lovers year after year. It's where you may see dozens of "hot new acts" perform in fairly intimate venues. The next fandango is March 16-20; sxsw.com, 1-512-467-7979. The Austin City Limits Music Festival is a three-day event with acts that have already broken into the big time. This year's fest, boasting such headliners as Phish, the Eagles, Muse and the Strokes, takes place Oct. 8-10; aclfestival.com, 1-888-512-7469.

CHICAGO

Locals swear that the Chicago music scene has more to offer than just the blues. We'll buy that — having enjoyed a share of rock and jazz concerts here — but there's no denying that the blues makes this town a potent draw.

Top attractions • Pick a blues club, any blues club, and you're likely to find some amazing music being played inside. Our favorites include Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 South Wabash Avenue, buddyguys.com, 1-312-427-1190; B.L.U.E.S., 2519 North Halsted Street, chicagobluesbar.com, 1-773-528-1012; and Kingston Mines, 2548 North Halsted Street, kingstonmines.com, 1-773-477-4646.

When to go • The blues scene achieves its definitive moment during the second weekend in June, when the Chicago Blues Festival takes over Grant Park for three days (next up, June 10-12). The nation's largest celebration of the blues draws more than 600,000 fans to witness the genre's best players perform on three stages — for free. chicagobluesfestival.us, 1-312-744-3315.

LAFAYETTE, LA.

New Orleans, of course, makes our cut — so, is it really necessary to also include Lafayette? Absolutely. Louisiana's fourth-largest city, located about two hours west of Fat City, is such an appealing hotbed of authentic Cajun, Creole, zydeco and other indigenous styles that it demands its own spot on this list.

Top attractions • Renowned Cajun musicians Marc and Ann Savoy run the Savoy Music Center, where some of the most beautifully crafted accordions are made. On Saturday mornings, the Savoys host the region's most fabled jam session: 4413 Highway 190 East, Eunice, savoymusiccenter.com, 1-337-457-9563. Top Cajun bands and other artists perform Thursdays through Sundays at the cool honky-tonk Blue Moon Saloon, 215 East Convent Street, Lafayette, bluemoonpresents.com, 1-877-766-2583.

When to go • Lafayette's Festival International de Louisiane offers more than 100 Cajun, Zydeco and other acts performing over five days each spring, the next one April 27-May 1; festivalinternational.com.

LAS VEGAS

Sin City has become a prime destination for major touring acts — but they also play just about every other big city. That's why we recommend seeing some glitzy, unabashedly over-the-top productions.

Top attractions • The glitziest production on the Strip may well be Cher's ongoing residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace; cherlasvegas.net, 1-866-510-2437. Also recommended is Barry Manilow's run at the Paris Las Vegas; parislasvegas.com, 1-866-462-5982. Manilow doesn't have Cher's sense of pizazz (or her abundant wardrobe), but he does boast such fine sing-alongs as "Mandy" and "Can't Smile Without You." Also, the new Cirque du Soleil show "Viva Elvis" at the beautiful Aria hotel (cirquedusoleil.com, 1-877-253-5847) is nearly as good as the company's Beatles tribute "Love" at the Mirage (1-800-963-9634). Those traveling with kids should try the "Lion King" at Mandalay Bay (mandalaybay.com, 1-877-632-7400), because it does feature music by Elton John.

When to go • Hotel rooms are sharply discounted midweek. Just be sure to check the performance schedule before booking a room.

NEW ORLEANS

A trip to New Orleans is both a marathon and a sprint, in that music lovers need to run as fast as they can, for as long as they can, to try to keep pace with the thriving music scene. On some weekends — such as during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival each spring — the highly caffeinated listener can literally enjoy live music around the clock. New Orleans wears its legacy as "the birthplace of jazz" proudly. Walk down the streets, even amid the drunken frat boys swilling $1 hurricanes, and it's not hard to feel the presence of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and all the other legends who once called Crescent City home.

Top attractions • The party is always in full swing at Tipitina's, New Orleans' famously funky home for R&B, jam-rock and groove-oriented jazz; 501 Napoleon Avenue, tipitinas.com, 1-504-895-8477. History buffs should catch a traditional jazz show at Preservation Hall; 726 Saint Peter Street, preservationhall.com, 1-504-522-2841.

When to go • The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which ranks as one of the nation's premier music events, features hundreds of acts performing over two extended weekends each spring (next held April 22-24 and April 28-May 1); nojazzfest.com. Those who want to avoid the crowds, however, should pick some other time to visit.

SEATTLE

Any excuse to visit Seattle is a good one, and music lovers will find plenty of reasons to venture into the Emerald City. Seattle's rock 'n' roll legacy is substantial, and it's been nicely memorialized by its citizens. Throughout the area, you'll find recognition of such legendary Seattle rockers as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. Seattle is best known as the birthplace of early '90s grunge-rock, yet a journey through its club scene provides much more than a nostalgia trip.

Top attractions • Some claim that the Experience Music Project is even better than the "official" rock 'n' roll museum in Cleveland. Financed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, EMP has hosted many stellar exhibits, including ones focused on Hendrix, Nirvana and disco music; 325 Fifty Avenue North, empsfm.org, 1-206-770-2702. Jazz fans should check out Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Avenue, www.jazzalley.com,1-206-441-9729; rockers should head for the Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Avenue, showboxonline.com, 1-800-745-3000.

When to go • Schedule your trip during the oddly named but vastly appealing Bumbershoot music festival set for Sept. 4-6. ("Bumbershoot" is another word for "umbrella.") More than 250 rockers, world musicians and other artists will perform at Seattle Center, bumbershoot.org, 1-800-745-3000. Otherwise, go any time during the summer, when the weather is relatively dry and warm.

Jim Harrington is a music critic for the Bay Area News Group.