The Country Music Hall of Fame manages more than two million-items in its collection, all to tell the stories and traditions of country music. Permanent and modern exhibitions showcase iconic and rising artists alike in the ever-evolving genre. Make sure and take the bus to visit Historic RCA Studio B on Music Row after you've toured the Hall. See where Elvis Presley stood, hear the stories behind countless hit records, and soak up the 70s-era panache that make the studio so special.
Steven Kern Shaw is a literal guitar hero. The collector bequeathed nearly 500 historic acoustic and electric instruments to future generations, and thus, The GIG was born. Housed in Belmont University's Bunch Library, don't miss your chance to see an 1887 Martin 0-28 or a 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin signed by respected designer Lloyd Loar. Nashville’s only instrument-driven museum not only showcases iconic American-made guitars and mandolins, but offers students, scholars, and makers the chance to learn from and play on the instruments firsthand.
Location: 1907 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212 Cost: Adults: $5; 12-under: Free; Belmont Students, Faculty and Staff: Free with Belmont ID Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 615-416-2001; thegigatbelmont.com
Family and fans of famed country artist George Glenn Jones opened a museum in downtown Nashville to commemorate his life and career. The four story complex houses the second floor museum along with a gift shop, restaurant, event space, music venue, and amazing rooftop patio.
Location: 128 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 Cost: Adults: $17; Military/Senior/Students/AAA: $16; Youth: $13; 5-under: Free Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (restaurant and bar hours differ) 615-818-0128; georgejones.com
The officially authorized museum in downtown Nashville features the largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia in the world related to the musical man in black.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum / The GRAMMY Museum Gallery
This diverse museum highlights the best players throughout time and musicians of all genres. Divided into cities with a history of recorded music, the museum covers Muscle Shoals to L.A., recognizing those who have contributed to noteable records through the years. Also at the Hall, explore GRAMMY Awards® history through the interactive exhibit of the entire recording process.
In the works for a 2019 opening, this will be the the only museum dedicated to all aspects of African American music with permanent and circulating galleries. The 56,000 square feet museum will include a state-of-the-art performance hall, library, classrooms, museum store, and boutique cafe.
Location: 5th and Broadway at Avenue of the Arts as part of the redesigned Nashville Convention Center 615-301-8724; NMAAM.org
Get an intimate look at the life of memorable signer Patsy Cline from every stage: childhood to married life. The museum includes the customary awards, albums, and costumes from her career as well as special photographs and scrapbooks of her life. Located above the Johnny Cash Museum, you’ll even find a recreated booth from Gaunt's Drug Store where she worked as a teenager.
Once referred to the “Carnegie Hall of the South x93 take your selfie at the stage graced by such legends as Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, and Marty Stuart. Not a museum per se, but the daytime tours share the story of its origin as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, give you a look at backstage dressing rooms as well as five special exhibits with video narrations from Trisha Yearwood, Nicole Kidman, and Emmylou Harris.
Location: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 Cost: Self-Guided Tour — Adult: $20, Youth: $15; Backstage Tour — Adults: $30, Youth: $25 Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 615-889-3060; ryman.com
