Music Museums in Tennessee

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee

Rediscover the music you love, again and again, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This scrapbook of county music’s roots comes to life with legendary instruments, unique lyric sheets, memorabilia of classic and contemporary artists and so much more. Now open, don’t miss Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, a major exhibition exploring the legacy of Hank Williams and his kin – one of country music’s most iconic families. Complete your experience by shopping at the Museum Store and ordering a delicious southern meal from SoBro Grill.

Visit countrymusichalloffame.org for further information.

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum focuses on and showcases the actual musicians and session players that have played with some of the major music artists in history. The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum covers all genres of music including country, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz, rock and pop. Whether it's Bob Dylan and The Beatles, the major artists from Motown, The Mamas and the Papas and The Beach Boys, or Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, we have something to offer everyone! The musicians and instruments on display at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum have made their mark on music history and we would love to share some of their stories with you! Visit musicianshalloffame.com for further information.

RCA Studio B, in Nashville, Tennessee

As Music City’s only historic studio tour, historic RCA Studio B provides a glimpse into the heart of Nashville music-making during one of its most exciting and classic periods. In its heyday, Studio B saw the creation of numerous chartbusters, such as Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” and Charley Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.” Tours of Historic RCA Studio B depart daily from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum and are available only in conjunction with museum admission.

Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee

Built in 1892, Ryman Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark and a must-see for anyone visiting Nashville. Most famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974, the Ryman is the very epicenter of Music City. Three new exhibits are now open: “Grand Ole Opry 1940s-1970s,” “Ryman Stage to Screen” and “Proud to Be Here! The Legacy of Minnie Pearl.”See genuine artifacts from those early Opry years like the dress Dolly Parton wore the night she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. See a costume Sissy Spacek wore when she played Loretta Lynn in Coal Miners Daughter filmed at the Ryman. Watch exclusive Minnie Pearl footage and see the National Medal of Arts she received from president George H.W. Bush.  Visit ryman.com for further information.

Patsy Cline Museum in Nashville, Tennessee

She may have left the world so tragically at the age of 30 in 1963, but Patsy Cline left her own indelible mark on Country Music and remains one of the biggest names in Country history. The Patsy Cline Museum in Nashville celebrates the life of the legendary songstress and features hundreds of never before seen artefacts, personal belongings, and much more. Check out the Patsy Cline Museum for yourself, located on the second level of the Johnny Cash Museum building.

Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

Experience the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and discover first-hand how Elvis Presley became the most celebrated entertainer in the world. Graceland takes you on a one of a kind journey through Elvis’s humble beginnings and rise to superstardom, with up close and personal looks at the influence that forever changed our music, and our lives. Enjoy an audio-guided tour of Graceland Mansion. Then, visit the Elvis Auto Museum, Sincerely Elvis featuring an Elvis Jumpsuits All Access exhibit, Elvis's Custom Jets and Elvis After Dark. Stay across the street at Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel.  For further information visit elvis.com.

About Graceland

In 1957, just before a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, Elvis took the proceeds from his first hit – Heartbreak Hotel – and purchased Graceland, a Southern-style Colonial mansion that sits on 13.8 acres. Opened on 7th June 1982, Graceland is one of the most famous rock 'n' roll residence in the world and gives visitors inside access to see where Elvis lived, relaxed and spent time with his family and friends. Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark in March of 2006 and today, Graceland welcomes over 600,000 visitors a year.

The Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum in Memphis, Tennessee

The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s exhibition about the birth of rock and soul music, created by the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world. The museum is the gateway to the history of the Memphis musical heritage and the cultural impact influencing society. Visit memphisrocknsoul.org for further information.

Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee

Take a guided tour of the most famous recording studio in the world, "The Legendary" Sun Studio "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll", where the blending of Blues and Country Music exploded in the big bang of Rock 'n' Roll heard around the world. Visit sunstudio.com for further information.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, Tennessee

Stax Museum of American Soul Music is a 17,000-square-foot museum with more than 2,000 exhibits, artefacts and memorabilia celebrating the legacy of American soul music. Along with the legendary Stax Sound, the museum spotlights the music of Muscle Shoals, Hi and Atlantic Records. For further information visit staxmuseum.com

The International Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame Inc and Museum in Jackson, Tennessee

The International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame and Museum is in Jackson since the city is the hometown of rockabilly star Carl Perkins and is located between Memphis, home of rock & roll and blues, and Nashville, home of country and hillbilly music. The museum traces the history and highlights of rockabilly music and features rare memorabilia and photographs. Exhibits, audio tapes tell the "tales" and "stories" of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Robison, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sonny Burgess and a host of musical artists who went from "cotton fields" to "Cadillacs" in a very short period of time. Visit rockabillyhall.org for further information.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee

The Birthplace of Country Music museum, based in Bristol Tennessee, is dedicated to calling attention to the crucial role played by artists from East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the southern Appalachian region in country, bluegrass, and other musical venues which have been nurtured by this region. Attending not only to the past, BCMA has developed programs which address this musical heritage in the present and promote its continuation into the future. Visit birthplaceofcountrymusic.org for further information.

Loretta Lynn’s Museum, Hurricane Mills in Tennessee

Loretta Lynn's 18,000-square-foot museum is complete with a mini-theater, Loretta's tour bus, personal vehicles, The Coal Miner's Daughter Dress, memorabilia and awards from the "Living Legends" entertainment career and personal life. Visit lorettalynn.com for further information.

The Museum of Appalachia, Clinton in Tennessee

The Museum of Appalachia, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is described as "an American treasure" that "stands alone as a tribute to the American spirit."  The Museum celebrates a Tennessee Fall Homecoming on the second full weekend of October. The Homecoming, stocked with great talent, is one of the nation’s largest and most authentic old-time music, craft and folk festivals. Visit museumofappalachia.org for further information.