At the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, the spotlight shines on the musicians behind the hits. This unique museum celebrates the session players, engineers and producers who helped create some of the greatest recordings ever made. You’ll see instruments used by legends like Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash and Elton John, plus one of Jimi Hendrix’s Stratocasters and the stage he performed on in Nashville. There’s even memorabilia from American Sound Studio, where Elvis recorded “Suspicious Minds.”

The National Museum of African American Music explores the powerful influence African Americans have had on music, from gospel and blues to jazz, R&B and hip-hop. Start in the Roots Theater with an immersive film before moving through the Rivers of Rhythm corridor, an interactive timeline linking music with major moments in American history. Galleries trace the evolution of sound through exhibits like Wade in the Water, Crossroads, One Nation Under a Groove and The Message.

Located in the heart of downtown, the Johnny Cash Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia. Exhibits feature the Man in Black’s guitars, gold and platinum records and even his iconic stage-worn boots. The museum has earned a coveted AAA Gem Rating and offers a self-guided experience that takes about an hour to explore. Bonus for travelers with pets: it’s one of Nashville’s dog-friendly attractions.

Located beside Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum tells the story of the state through artifacts, multimedia and interactive displays. Permanent galleries explore topics like the Civil War and Reconstruction as well as Tennessee’s natural history. The Tennessee Time Tunnel acts as the backbone of the museum, weaving together objects, stories and engaging media to guide visitors through the state’s social, political and cultural past.

Adventure Science Center is a hands-on museum packed with more than 175 interactive exhibits exploring biology, physics, space and earth science. Younger visitors love Early Explorations, designed specifically for kids under five, while Fossil Frontiers digs into the region’s paleontology with fossils from across Middle Tennessee. Don’t miss Galactic Gardens, a colorful mural installation that blends art and science while highlighting native plants and the Milky Way.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of Nashville’s most iconic attractions, dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of country music. Inside, you’ll find legendary instruments, dazzling stage costumes and artifacts connected to some of the genre’s biggest stars. For a deeper dive, join the one-hour guided tour that walks visitors through the people, songs and moments that helped shape the sound of country music.

Housed in Nashville’s historic Art Deco post office building, the Frist Art Museum offers a rotating lineup of exhibitions from prestigious collections around the world. The 124,000-square-foot space features more than 45,000 square feet of galleries and public areas. Unlike many museums, the Frist doesn’t maintain a permanent collection, instead presenting 12 to 15 changing exhibitions each year, which means every visit offers something new to discover.

The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music celebrates the powerful legacy of gospel and faith-inspired music. Visitors move through exhibits highlighting more than 500 historic moments tied to the genre’s development and cultural impact. Along the way, you’ll see artifacts connected to artists like Amy Grant, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. The museum is also part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, reflecting gospel music’s deep connection to American history.

Belmont Mansion offers a look at Nashville long before it became Music City. Built between 1850 and 1860 by the Acklen family, it remains the largest house constructed in the city before the Civil War. Today, visitors can tour the preserved estate and learn about life in 19th-century Nashville, including the experiences of both the Acklen family and the enslaved people who lived and worked on the property.