Museums are the cultural hubs of Nashville. Whether you’re looking to learn something new about Music City or plotting a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, here are 17 museums to visit in our city.
Pro tip: Nashville Public Library’s Community Passports collection gives NPL cardholders free admission to the National Museum of African American Music, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. Passports may be checked out for up to seven days.
Arts + culture
Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway | Free-$15
Don’t miss: Bookmark the museum’s calendar for movie screenings, architecture tours, special family activities (second Sunday of each month), and more.
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Dr. | $13-$29
Don’t miss: The second floor of the Historic Mansion and Museum serves as a gallery for the museum’s permanent collection and hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave. | $8-$10
Don’t miss: Did you know the Parthenon also doubles as an art museum with rotating exhibitions in the east and west galleries?
Music
National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway | $22.95-$26.96
Don’t miss: The museum’s year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, including new exhibitions like “This is Hip Hop: East Coast Edition.”
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | $27.95
Don’t miss: Add on Hatch Show Print and RCA Studio B for the full experience.
Bonus: Through the Community Counts program, youth from Davidson and surrounding counties are admitted free, and up to two accompanying adults can receive free or discounted admission.
Jefferson Street Sound Museum, 2004 Jefferson St. | $10-$15
Don’t miss: Stories and artifacts chronicling the musical history of Nashville’s Jefferson Street, with tours touching on Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington’s time in Music City.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, 401 Gay St. | $28
Don’t miss: The “Jimi Hendrix: Nashville to Woodstock” exhibit telling the story of his time in Music City and featuring a guitar owned by Hendrix, along with stage-worn clothes.
Madame Tussauds Celebrity Wax Museum, 515 Opry Mills Dr. | $25.99+ (adults) + $19.99 (children)
Don’t miss: Celebrity wax figure sightings like Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and more.
Tennessee treasures
Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. | Free
Don’t miss: In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the state history museum also hosts temporary exhibits and special events throughout the year — a reason to visit often and bookmark the museum’s calendar.
Tennessee Agricultural Museum, 404 Hogan Rd. | Free
Don’t miss: Over 3,000 artifacts throughout two levels of exhibits, an heirloom garden, and historic cabins.
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, 501 Broadway (inside Bridgestone Arena) | Free through the end of 2023
Don’t miss: Interactive activities and exhibits chronicling the history of Tennessee sports from the early 1800s to present day.
Science
Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd. | $18-$22
Don’t miss: A planetarium or laser show after a full day of exploring the science museum.
Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, 816 Old Salem Rd., Murfreesboro
Don’t miss: You can’t miss the 38-ft long Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
History
Lane Motor Museum, 702 Murfreesboro Pk. | $3-$12
Don’t miss: $10 vault tours (offered on weekends) give a glimpse of off-display cars stored below the museum.
Johnny Cash Museum, 119 3rd Ave. S. | $25.95
Don’t miss: Interactive stations that let you listen to Cash’s earliest records and mix your own tracks.
Patsy Cline Museum, 119 3rd Ave. S. (second floor) | $21.95
Don’t miss: Walking through replicas of some of Patsy’s most beloved places, like Gaunt’s Drug Store, where she worked in the soda fountain area as a teenager.
Glen Campbell Museum, 111 Broadway | $18.50-$20.50
Don’t miss: 80+ guitars owned by the “Rhinestone Cowboy,” including Campbell’s very first guitar given to him by his father.
