Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Museum
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Legendary instruments, dazzling stage wear, Elvis Presley’s solid gold Cadillac, and bronze plaques honoring every legend in the genre. Often called the Smithsonian of country music, the Hall of Fame is our pick for the best museum in Nashville.
The Verdict
Why the Hall of Fame Earns the Title
You don’t have to be a country fan to fall for this place. The Hall of Fame traces American music from 19th-century Appalachian ballads through honky-tonk, the Nashville Sound, and the Urban Cowboy era all the way to today’s chart-toppers. Along the way, you’ll see iconic instruments, glittering stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, and rare recordings from the world’s largest collection of country music artifacts.
The building itself is a work of art. Its dark windows and white walls form a row of piano keys, its roofline sweeps up like the tailfin of a 1950s Cadillac, and at its heart the marble Hall of Fame Rotunda honors every inductee with a bronze plaque. Rotating exhibits keep things fresh, so there’s always something new to discover.
1967
First Opened on Music Row
1.6M
Visitors a Year
350K
Square Feet of Galleries & Archives
$100M
2014 Expansion Doubled Its Size
Things to Do
Don’t Miss These
Plan on two to three hours, and pace yourself. There’s a lot to see.
The Hall of Fame Rotunda
The heart of the museum, where bronze plaques honor every member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s a quiet, moving space that brings the genre’s legends together in one room.
The Permanent Collection
A multi-floor journey through country music history, packed with instruments, costumes, and treasures like Elvis Presley’s solid gold Cadillac. An optional audio guide adds even more stories.
Rotating Exhibits
New exhibits arrive throughout the year. In 2026, shows have spotlighted stars like Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton, and every ticket covers every exhibit in the building.
The Story
Preserving the Music’s Story
Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964 as a nonprofit educational organization, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum first opened its doors on Nashville’s Music Row in 1967. Its mission was simple but ambitious: to preserve and share the history of country music.
As the collection grew, so did the museum. In 2001, it moved into its striking downtown home, and in 2014 a $100 million expansion doubled its footprint to 350,000 square feet of galleries, archives, and event space. Today about 1.6 million people visit each year, making it one of the most visited music museums in the country.
“The Smithsonian of country music.”
As the Museum Is Often Called
Plan Your Visit
Find It Downtown
The museum sits in the heart of downtown Nashville, just off Broadway. Tickets use timed entry, so booking ahead is the best way to lock in your preferred time.
Location
222 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 416-2001
At Demonbreun Street, near Broadway.
Hours
Open daily: 9 am – 5 pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Tickets are good for reentry on the day of your visit.
Parking & Tips
Discounted parking is available with museum validation at the nearby Walk of Fame Parking Garage. Flash photography and large bags aren’t allowed, so pack light.
Step Into Country Music History
Book your timed tickets, give yourself a few hours, and discover the stories behind the songs.