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Everyone who is anyone knows that vinyl has made a huge comeback in recent years as fans flock (back) to the distinctly groovy sounds that can only be heard via a turntable. As both record lovin’ listeners and new-found fans alike flock to the shops in search of both new releases and retro faves; record stores are also making a comeback as music lovers realize the euphoric joy and distinctive tactile delight of flipping through shelves, racks, and of course, crates (and crates and crates) of records.
Now more than ever, it is possible to find record store shops almost everywhere—however, there’s something to be said for dyed-in-the-wool classics that have been pumping up the jam long before the record store revival. And what better way is there to combine a love affair with records then hitting the road to visit some of the country’s best—and with the following record store road trips, music lovers can do just that.
Road Trip #1: A TN Trip For The Ages From Nashville To Memphis
Tennessee is famous for its music scene that’s undoubtedly one of the best in the U.S. Home to unparalleled music venues and history, The Volunteer State runs the gamut with its variety of attractions and famous figures, all united under the common thread of music. And while TN is home to some of the most famous music marvels in the country—think Grand Ole Opry, Graceland, and The Country Music Hall of Fame—this love of everything noteworthy extends (not surprisingly) to its stellar record shops, and music stops, too.
Record Store aficionados will have their pick of record stores du jour in Nashville, one of the country’s most famed destinations for cool tunes and even cooler music.
Grimey’s Records
Buy, sell, trade, or simply browse at this beloved “New and Preloved Music & Book” shop that’s packed with an untold number of treasures for music lovers. Visitors can check out Grimey’s new arrivals online before visiting, but the best part is browsing the racks of used goods in search of something off-the-beaten-track.
- Address: 1060 East Trinity Lane
- Contact: (615)-226-3811
- Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11 AM-6 PM; Friday & Saturday 11 AM-7 PM; Sundays 12 PM-5 PM
Third Man Records
A bastion for music lovers everywhere since its inception in 2009, the Jack White-owned Third Man Records is the real deal. Almost all the for-sale records have been recorded, pressed, and printed in Nashville—which is no mean feat. A boon for indie bands and creators everywhere, music fans will also delight in this cool spot that’s quickly become an iconic institution in Nashville.
- Address: 623 7th Ave South
- Contact: (615)-891-4393
- Hours: open daily 11 AM-6 PM
- Bonus Stuff: Blue Room Bar; Tours; 1947 Voice-o-Graph Recording Booth
The final stop on this Tennessee record store road trip is the bustling city of Memphis, home of the famous Sun Studio and a plethora of famed music landmarks. The home of rock & roll influencers, blues legends, and soulful singers, Memphis is the perfect place to get lost in a record store.
Goner Records
Home to new and used LPs and 45s from practically every genre imaginable, the incredibly hip Goner Records is especially famous for its abundance of Memphis-based talent: from local artists on the Goner label to legendary voices and big-name talent, there’s something for everyone at this independently cool shop.
- Address: 2152 Young Ave
- Contact: (901)-722-0095
- Hours: Monday through Saturday 12 PM-7 PM; Sundays 1 PM-5 PM
- Bonus Stuff: Every year, the Goner label hosts Gonerfest, a Memphis-based festival packed with label faves. September 22-25, 2022
Road Trip #2: Chill Pacific Northwest Vibes From Seattle To Portland
Arguably the birthplace of the 1990s grunge movement and iconic bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Seattle has a reputation for being decidedly music-minded. However, visitors should expect the unexpected when visiting this hip enclave in the Pacific Northwest; after all, the city is famously home to the dynamic Seattle Symphony as well as the birthplace of rock legend Jimi Hendrix, too.
Easy Street Records
The uber cool and oh-so-Seattle spot Easy Street Records has been peddling everything music since the late 1980s. Today, the chill locale buys and sells all manner of music, from LPs to cassettes, in every genre imaginable. They even keep it old school and will buy back vintage collections (and even 8-tracks!) A legendary cult California Avenue spot has even been known to host the likes of legends like Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, and of course, Eddie Vedder.
- Address: 4559 California Ave SW
- Contact: (206)-938-EASY
- Hours: Shop open 9 AM-7 PM daily; Café open 7 AM-3 PM daily
- Bonus Stuff: Next door to the shop is the Easy Street Café, one of the most popular brunch destinations in Seattle that serves up quirky bites like the Dolly Parton Stack and the Notorious B&G
The final stop in this Pacific Northwest record store run is the eclectic city of Portland—known as a bastion for everything quirky and offbeat, the music scene is just as fiercely independent as the city itself. Here, visitors will find their share of outdoor concerts, music venues, and a cool vintage scene that includes its record stores.
Jackpot Records, Portland
Located in the city’s hip Hawthorne district, the undeniably hip Jackpot Records is a record store/music label/niche vinyl haven that’s been a destination for music lovers since 1997. Offbeat finds abound in the red-ceilinged, cozy atmosphere, setting the mood for nearly endless browsing.
- Address: 3574 Southeast Hawthorne Blvd.
- Contact: (503)-239-7561
- Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 AM-6 PM; Sundays 11 AM-5 PM
Road Trip #3: A New York Minute From NYC To Nyack
New York City has no shortage of incredibly cool record shops—from vintage dreams to bright and shiny destinations du jour, the Big Apple is, without a doubt, the place to be for those looking for unforgettable record stores packed with epic, one-of-a-kind finds.
Stranded Records, New York City
Of all the record stores in New York, the East Village’s Stranded Records makes the road trip list because of its diverse offerings that run the gamut: West African rhythms, futuristic funk, and heady jazz grooves all exist side by side with traditional faves and new releases in this heady mix of music that spans all decades and genres.
- Address: 218 East 5th Street
- Contact: (212)-529-2081
- Hours: Open 11 AM-7 PM daily
- Bonus Stuff: Cali visitors and residents don’t have to travel east to visit this East Village gem, as there are locations in San Francisco and Oakland, too
Known as an artistic and creative hub less than an hour and a half from NYC, the lovely village of Nyack is known for both its scenic setting and its bustling cultural scene that is a haven for art appreciators and music fans everywhere. A place where rich history and tradition meet up-and-coming artistic hub, Nyack is the final stop on this NY-based record store road trip.
Main Street Beat, Nyack, NY
This cool Main Street spot is right in the heart of downtown Nyack, and is the place to be for one-of-kind new and vintage paraphernalia that runs the gamut with its wildly eclectic inventory. However, the undeniable star of the show is Main Street’s vast collection of music—new and old, from virtually every generation and genre under the sun. And while shoppers can peruse the inventory online, there’s something special about thumbing through the crates of used vinyl that makes this vintage shop oh-so-special.
- Address: Main Street Beat, 95 Main Street
- Contact: (845)-353-5426
- Hours: Monday through Thursday 12 PM-7 PM; Friday & Saturday 12 PM-8 PM; Sundays 12 PM-6 PM
- Bonus Stuff: Main Street Beat also sells vintage/secondhand clothing that’s (almost) as cool as their music selection
These record store road trips are the perfect way for vinyl lovers, new and old, to experience the unique thrill of thumbing through records of all shapes and sizes. And with something for everyone, these hip spots are often home to other fun features, too: think tours, in-store performances, cafés, and an array of eclectic goods that make them more than just a stop on the road.