If you love history and/or music, then you will love this list of the best museums in Nashville, Tennessee. And the music genres cover country, rock and roll, soul, and the blues. Make sure you add these museums and attractions to your itinerary of the top things to do in Nashville, TN. Also see my related post: Top things to do in Memphis, Tennessee: A three-day itinerary.
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List of the best music and history museums in Nashville
I’ve visited Nashville, Tennessee three times and absolutely love this city. The first two times were girls trips and my last visit was with my husband. As we’re not huge country fans, he and I were a little reluctant to visit Nashville initially. But we both ended up loving the Music City.
We both recommend Nashville as a top couples and emptynester getaway. And NashVegas (as they call it) is perfect for your NashBash girls trip – including bachelorette parties. Additionally, Nashville is also a great place to travel with kids – so many things to do for the entire family.
Top 5 Nashville museums ranked
Here is my ranked list of the top 5 music and history museums you need to visit on your next trip to Nashville. Scroll down for several other Nashville museums and historic homes I’ve added to my bucket list.
Johnny Cash Museum
Patsy Cline Museum
RCA Studio B
Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
Hatch Show Print
For the record, my husband ranked them differently. Here’s his list of the top 5 museums in Nashville.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (and he’s not a fan of country music)
RCA Studio B
Patsy Cline Museum
Johnny Cash Museum
Hatch Show Print
Johnny Cash Museum– Nashville’s top music museum (and the world)
Johnny Cash holds a special place in my heart as my dad loved his music. I grew up on Johnny Cash songs and the last gift I gave my father before he passed away was a CD of Johnny Cash.
While this is a small and intimate venue, you’ll learn so much about the Man in Black – a huge influence on so many music legends in all genres. This museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia and artifacts. It’s one of only 6 Nashville top attractions to receive the AAA Gem Rating. And it’s ranked as the #1 music museum in the world by Forbes, Conde’ Nast, and National Geographic Traveler.
When is the Johnny Cash Museum open? What are the hours?
The Johnny Cash Museum is open 7 days a week (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas); 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where is the Johnny Cash museum located? What’s the address?
The Johnny Cash Museum is right in the heart of downtown Nashville at 119 3rd Avenue (right off Broadway); first floor (upstairs is where you’ll find the Patsy Cline Museum.
Where can I buy Johnny Cash Museum tickets? How much do Johnny Cash Museum tickets cost?
General admission tickets to the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville are $22.95 (adults); $18.95 (youth 6-15 – free 5 and under with paying adult). You can purchase tickets online or in person ($1 off discount for in-person tickets – AAA, students, military, seniors).
Patsy Cline Museum– one of the best music museums in Nashville
The Patsy Cline Museum in Nashville, Tenn. is located on the second floor in the same building as the Johnny Cash Museum. You will need to purchase tickets separately.
One of Nashville’s best museums is a very small venue. But I loved the different exhibits showcasing the short life of the iconic country music legend, Patsy Cline. She tragically died at the age of 30 in a plane crash, yet remains one of the biggest stars in country music history.
When is the Patsy Cline Museum open? What are the hours?
The Patsy Cline Museum is open 7 days a week (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas); 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where is the Patsy Cline museum located? What’s the address?
You’ll find the Patsy Cline Museum located at 119 3rd Avenue (right off Broadway), Nashville, TN; second floor (downstairs is where you’ll find the Johnny Cash Museum).
Where can I buy Patsy Cline Museum tickets? How much are Patsy Cline Museum tickets?
General admission tickets to the Patsy Cline Museum in Nashville are $19.95 (adults); $15.95 (youth 6-15 – free 5 and under with paying adult). You can purchase tickets online or in person ($1 off discount for in-person tickets – AAA, students, military, seniors).
RCA Studio B – one of the top things to do in Nashville
Touring the RCA Studio B is one of the top things to do in Nashville. It was part of the complimentary package of tickets provided by the County Music Hall of Fame and Museum (opinions are always my own). Note that you cannot tour the RCA Studio B separately. You must purchase tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. See my related post: Guide to Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Don’t let this nondescript building deter you from visiting. The historic RCA Studio B is the birthplace of the iconic Nashville Sound (a smoother and more polished sound than the original honky-tonk twang of country songs) and is the city’s oldest surviving record studios. A studio that produced hits by Elvis Presley – he recorded more than 250 songs at RCA Studio B – and you can sit at his favorite piano. Other stars included Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins, Roy Orbison, and many more.
When is the RCA Studio B open? What are the hours?
RCA Studio B in Nashville is one of the tours available through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which is open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and special events). The one-hour RCA Studio B tours are timed and subject to availability between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (you take a shuttle from the Country Music Hall of Fame – with the last tour of the day arriving back at 4:30 p.m.).
Where is the RCA Studio B museum located? What’s the address?
Your RCA Studio B tour shuttle picks up and drops off at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum at 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S in Nashville, Tenn.
Where can I buy RCA Studio B tickets? How much are tickets to RCA Studio B?
Please note that you cannot buy separate tickets to tour RCA Studio B in Nashville.
You can purchase tickets for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the RCA Studio B, as well as the Hatch Show Print online. Plan ahead and purchase your tickets early as you’ll received timed-entry tickets so you’ll need to coordinate with available times the RCA Studio B tours. Some of the tours sell out, so you’ll want to purchase your tickets in advance if planning to visit all three tours in the same day.
Experience it All – combined tickets for entry to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Hatch Show Print, and the RCA Studio B
Studio B Experience – includes entry to RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (you cannot purchase a separate ticket for the Studio B Experience only)
Hatch Experience – includes entry to Hatch Show Print and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (you cannot purchase a separate ticket for the Studio B Experience only)
Note that you can also purchase a one-hour songwriter session to any of these ticket options.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum – one of the best museums in Nashville
You do not need to be a country music fan to love and appreciate the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville. One of the largest history museums in the United States features three floors of country music memorabilia from today’s top stars to country legends from back in the day. Even before some of our days.
When is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum open? What are the hours?
Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and special events).
Where is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum located? What’s the address?
The Country Music Hall of Fame Museum is located at 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S in Nashville, Tenn.
Where can I buy Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum tickets? How much are tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum?
You can purchase tickets for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the RCA Studio B, as well as the Hatch Show Print online. Plan ahead and purchase your tickets early if you plan to also tour RCA Studio B and the Hatch Show Print museums. All tickets are timed-entry tickets so you’ll need to coordinate with available times the RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print tours. Some of the tours sell out, so you’ll want to purchase your tickets in advance if planning to visit all three tours in the same day.
Experience it All – combined tickets for entry to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Hatch Show Print, and the RCA Studio B
Studio B Experience – includes entry to RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (you cannot purchase a separate ticket for the Studio B Experience only)
Hatch Experience – includes entry to Hatch Show Print and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (you cannot purchase a separate ticket for the Studio B Experience only)
Note that you can also purchase a one-hour songwriter session to any of these ticket options.
Hatch Show Print tour in Nashville
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is also home to the Hatch Show Print in Nashville. One of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the U.S. Hatch Show Print is one of the top things to do in Nashville. While the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum provided tickets to the Hatch Show Print for my husband and me, opinions are always my own.
During the Hatch Show Print tour, you’ll learn about the letterpress shop’s history and even get an opportunity to hand-print your own letterpress poster that you can take home as a Hatch Show Print souvenir.
When is the Hatch Show Print open? What are the hours of the Hatch Show Print?
Hatch Show Print in Nashville is open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and special events).
Where is the Hatch Show Print store and museum located? What’s the address for Hatch Show Print?
You can find the Hatch Show Print store and museum in the lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum at 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S in Nashville, Tenn.
Where can I buy Hatch Show Print tickets? How much are tickets to Hatch Show Print?
You can buy individual tickets to tour Hatch Show Print in Nashville online. Or you can also purchase a package through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Plan ahead and purchase your tickets early as you’ll received timed-entry tickets for Hatch Show Print, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and RCA Studio B. Some of the tours sell out, so you’ll want to purchase your tickets in advance if planning to visit all three tours in the same day.
Experience it All – combined tickets for entry to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Hatch Show Print, and the RCA Studio B
Studio B Experience – includes entry to RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (you cannot purchase a separate ticket for the Studio B Experience only)
Hatch Experience – includes entry to Hatch Show Print and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (you cannot purchase a separate ticket for the Studio B Experience only)
Note that you can also purchase a one-hour songwriter session to any of these ticket options.
Bucket list of Nashville museums and historic homes
Even though I’ve visited Nashville three times, there are still so many cool things to do that I haven’t yet experienced. Here is a list of the museums and historic homes on my Nashville bucket list for when I visit the next time.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery
Belmont Mansion
Cheekwood (historic home of Maxwell House Coffee founder)
Frist Art Museum
Gallery of Iconic Guitars (my husband is a guitar enthusiast and was disappointed we didn’t have time to check out this one on our visit)
George Jones Museum (when it opens again – we did visit the rooftop on a girls trip)
Glen Campbell Museum
Grand Ole Opry Museum (my friends and I attended a concert, but did not tour the museum)
Historic Traveller’s Rest
Lane Motor Museum
Nashville Parthenon
Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Willie Nelson and Friends Museum
Any other museums or historic homes I should visit in Nashville? Leave me your recommendations in the comments.
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Twin Cities-based blogger sharing memorable emptynester, solo, family and girlfriend-getaway adventures, as well as my day hiking adventures (including all 66 Minnesota state parks), latest book reviews, and updates on my quest for the best adult mac and cheese.
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50 comments
It is interesting that most people (I think) would say they have heard of the Country Music Hall of Fame but not of the other museums, yet some of them are ranked higher. I would love to check them out! It truly shows that just because something is the most popular does not mean it is the best.
I really enjoyed all these top music museums in Nashville. I hadn’t heard of some of the smaller ones, but learned so much – all special in their own way.
Wow, you know so much about music, I really enjoyed reading this article – seems like I have been there already haha. Will save this for my future travels, because there are few that I would like to visit 🙂
Nashville sounds like such a great spot to visit with all of these great music museums. The different rankings of you and your husband shows that there is something for everyone to enjoy. And also that we would need to plan a longer stay so we can see several of them and find our own favourites too!
I have always wanted to visit Nashville and all the music museums but still haven’t made it there. We live in Detroit so it’s not too far of a drive. Maybe this summer!
There isn’t a better place to learn about music than Nashville! I’ve been to the Country Music Museum & Hall of Fame a few times, but I haven’t been to these other spots yet. I’ll have to check them out the next time I’m in Nashville. Thanks for sharing!
I was in Nashville a couple of years ago and went to a lot of museums but not the RCA Studio. My favorite part of Nashville was the nightly live music everywhere.
If I had to pick only one of these top 5 music museums in Nashville, TN, I’d say I would go to the RCA Studio B. Its connection to Elvis is key for me.
Then you would love RCA Studio B. It was so fun to learn about all the music legends like Elvis who recorded here. We loved all these top music museums in Nashville.
Yes! You definitely don’t need to be a country fan to enjoy and appreciate all the top music museums in Nashville. Johnny Cash Museum was my favorite.
I love music and history! I would really like to go to the RCA Studio B and sit at Elvis Presley’s favorite piano. I’m sure they wouldn’t let me play it, but that would be pretty cool to get to do that since I’m a pianist. It must have an amazing sound.
Great list of music museums in Nashville. I haven’t been there yet, but it’s definitely on my must-see list! And I have several family members who would want to visit the Patsy Cline museum.
I have never been to Nashville, but think that would be such a fun trip. I’d love to see the Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline museums. What cool pieces of musical history!
I’ve been wanting to go to Nashville for a while now and hopefully am going to make it this year – this is super helpful! Didn’t know about a couple of these museums!
I love that your husband enjoyed the Country music museum without being a fan of that genre of music. Just means they do a great job of making the museum interesting and approachable.
I’ve always wanted to visit Nashville, it seems like such a cool city with such interesting history! All these museums sound great, but the Johnny Cash Museum will be a must see for me. Thanks for sharing!
If I go to Nashville I definitely want to learn more about the history of music here. These all look like great museums to visit so thanks for the tips!
I’ve been to Nashville many times, but have never vistited any of these museums. I’m definitely going to have to make a point to visit these the next time I find myself in Nashville!
I have not been to any Music Museum. Nashville looks like the best city to visit the music museums and learn about the history too. I would love to visit Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and spend a few hours there. 🙂
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It is interesting that most people (I think) would say they have heard of the Country Music Hall of Fame but not of the other museums, yet some of them are ranked higher. I would love to check them out! It truly shows that just because something is the most popular does not mean it is the best.
I really enjoyed all these top music museums in Nashville. I hadn’t heard of some of the smaller ones, but learned so much – all special in their own way.
Wow, you know so much about music, I really enjoyed reading this article – seems like I have been there already haha. Will save this for my future travels, because there are few that I would like to visit 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words! We highly recommend Nashville and all of these top music museums.
This is such a fun post! I was with some coworkers yesterday talking about Nashville and country music – haha what a timely post!
That is timely! We loved our Nashville visit and touring all these great music museums.
Nashville sounds like such a great spot to visit with all of these great music museums. The different rankings of you and your husband shows that there is something for everyone to enjoy. And also that we would need to plan a longer stay so we can see several of them and find our own favourites too!
Nashville is a great city to visit. Both my husband and I enjoyed all the live music as well as touring the top music museums.
I have always wanted to visit Nashville and all the music museums but still haven’t made it there. We live in Detroit so it’s not too far of a drive. Maybe this summer!
I hope you get the opportunity to visit Nashville. There’s so much to do in addition to touring the top 5 music museums.
Im not a country music fan at all so I avoided alm these when I visited Nashville but maybe I’ll need to give them a visit if I go to Nashville again.
We’re not really country fans either, but we loved touring these top music museums in Nashville. So much history!
There isn’t a better place to learn about music than Nashville! I’ve been to the Country Music Museum & Hall of Fame a few times, but I haven’t been to these other spots yet. I’ll have to check them out the next time I’m in Nashville. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome and my pleasure. Nashville is the best place to learn about music. We loved our visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
I was in Nashville a couple of years ago and went to a lot of museums but not the RCA Studio. My favorite part of Nashville was the nightly live music everywhere.
We loved Nashville’s nightly live music also – so many different genres. And we also loved visiting the top museums.
If I had to pick only one of these top 5 music museums in Nashville, TN, I’d say I would go to the RCA Studio B. Its connection to Elvis is key for me.
Then you would love RCA Studio B. It was so fun to learn about all the music legends like Elvis who recorded here. We loved all these top music museums in Nashville.
Thanks for including some of the lesser know best music museums in Nashville! Now I need to get to Nashville to check these out! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome and my pleasure! I hope you get the opportunity to visit Nashville and all the cool music museums.
I’m not a huge country music fan either, but still really want to go to Nashville. I would love to visit the Johnny Cash Museum!
Yes! You definitely don’t need to be a country fan to enjoy and appreciate all the top music museums in Nashville. Johnny Cash Museum was my favorite.
I love Jonny Cash! I will have to check out the top 5 musuems in Nashville….I haven’t been!
I love Johnny Cash also. You would love visiting all these cool museums in Nashville!
I love music and history! I would really like to go to the RCA Studio B and sit at Elvis Presley’s favorite piano. I’m sure they wouldn’t let me play it, but that would be pretty cool to get to do that since I’m a pianist. It must have an amazing sound.
You are a very talented pianist! And I know you would love to sit at Elvis’ favorite piano at the RCA Studio B in Nashville. Loved this museum!
Great list of music museums in Nashville. I haven’t been there yet, but it’s definitely on my must-see list! And I have several family members who would want to visit the Patsy Cline museum.
Thank you! So many informational and fun music museums in Nashville. I really liked the Patsy Cline Museum.
What a cool place in Tennessee to learn more about music history!
So many great music museums in Nashville. I learned so much!
This is a great list! I’ve been to a couple of these museums. I’ve put the test on my list to explore next time I’m in Nashville.
Thank you! It was fun visiting all the music museums in Nashville and then ranking the best.
I have never been to Nashville, but think that would be such a fun trip. I’d love to see the Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline museums. What cool pieces of musical history!
I think you would love Nashville! We loved checking out all the top museums – and especially loved Johnny Cash Museum and the Patsy Cline Museum.
I’ve been wanting to go to Nashville for a while now and hopefully am going to make it this year – this is super helpful! Didn’t know about a couple of these museums!
I hope you get the opportunity! We loved Nashville and all of these music museums.
I love that your husband enjoyed the Country music museum without being a fan of that genre of music. Just means they do a great job of making the museum interesting and approachable.
They really! The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is home to so much history – making it one of the top music museums in Nashville.
I’ve always wanted to visit Nashville, it seems like such a cool city with such interesting history! All these museums sound great, but the Johnny Cash Museum will be a must see for me. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome and my pleasure! We loved these too music museums in Nashville – especially the Johnny Cash Museum.
This is a great list! We have been dying to visit Nashville. Tulsa is going to have a Bob Dylan museum soon – 2022!
Thank you! Nashville is a great place for music museums! And thanks for the tip on the Bob Dylan museum.
If I go to Nashville I definitely want to learn more about the history of music here. These all look like great museums to visit so thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome and my pleasure. I hope you get the opportunity to visit all the fun music museums in Nashville.
I love Patsy Cline – I listen to her music while I’m cooking.
I love Patsy Cline also! We loved touring this museum in Nashville.
I’ve been to Nashville many times, but have never vistited any of these museums. I’m definitely going to have to make a point to visit these the next time I find myself in Nashville!
I hope you get the opportunity. We loved touring the Nashville museums.
I have not been to any Music Museum. Nashville looks like the best city to visit the music museums and learn about the history too. I would love to visit Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and spend a few hours there. 🙂
Nashville is the best city for music museums! We loved our tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum!