Country Music Hall of Fame (Ultimate Guide, By a Local)

👉 Jump to: How to Visit | History | What to Expect | Tips | FAQs

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the largest museums in the world that celebrates and preserves the history of country music. The Country Music Foundation, a non-profit organization, operates the Nashville museum holding a collection of more than 2 million artifacts related to country music.

As a Nashville local, I’ve been to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum multiple times.

In fact, I think the museum is one of Nashville’s best attractions. From learning about the history of country music to trying out some of the hands-on activities like the recording booth, there are plenty of things to do here.

In this guide to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, I’ll walk you through the things you need to know before your visit.

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How to Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

How to Get to the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Downtown Nashville on Rep. John Lewis Way S. The museum is right across from Music City Center. I’d suggest parking at Music City Center if you’re driving a car. Parking starts at $10, but can be more expensive if events are going on Downtown.

A car isn’t absolutely necessary for getting to the museum although it is useful for getting around Nashville in general. You can walk to the Country Music Hall of Fame from many of the hotels in Downtown Nashville. Several of Nashville’s bus routes stop nearby at the Music City Center or you can take an Uber or Lyft directly there.

Visiting Info

🎟️ Entrance – $31.95 for adults, $21.95 for youth, Free ages 5 & under (Advanced purchase is encouraged because ticket entrance is timed.)

🕛 Hours – 9 am – 5 pm daily

🖥️ Website – Country Music Hall of Fame

📱 Phone – (615) 416-2001

🗺️ Map It – 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S

🚗 Parking – The Music City Center parking garage is located across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame. Other paid parking options are also available nearby. 

🖼️ Tours – Visits to the museum are self-guided with the exception of guided tours sometimes available before or after opening hours. Audio guides are available for $5. Tours of Hatch Show Print and RCA Studio B are available for an additional fee.

Why Visit

Sometimes called the Smithsonian of country music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has a collection of over 2 million artifacts related to country music. 

You’ll find unique objects related to country music history here including the sewing machine used by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors to make many iconic stars’ stage costumes, Johnny Cash’s US Air Force jacket, and one of Elvis’s Cadillacs. My favorite pieces include Shania Twain’s Vegas residency outfits and the Taylor Swift memorabilia.

The music is a must-visit for any serious music fan even if you don’t listen to country music. The history of the evolution of country music is equally interesting for everyone. 

👉 Local tip: Davidson County residents with a Nashville Public Library card can use the Community Passport Program to get free admission to the museum.

History of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

• 🎵 1964 – The Country Music Foundation was created in 1964 to record and preserve the history of country music. 
• 🎵 1967 – The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in a building on Music Row.
• 🎵 1960s-1970s – The original building had to be expanded multiple times to contain the growing collection of country music-related artifacts.
• 🎵 2001 – The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum moved from Music Row to a new location in Downtown Nashville. The new facility allowed the museum to double in size and allowed room for more galleries, classrooms for educational programs, and additional archival storage.

How the Hall of Fame Induction Process Works

Being elected to the Hall of Fame is the highest honor a music professional can receive in the genre. The first musicians honored were Hank Williams, Jimmy Rogers, and Fred Rose. The Country Music Association is in charge of the election. Each year between one and twelve nominees are inducted (except in 1963).

The Country Music Foundation and the museum itself do not participate in the election process.

A Medallion Ceremony takes place each year to formally induct new members. Bronze plaques in the Hall of Fame Rotunda honor those elected for membership.

What to Expect Inside

Exhibitions

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has a mix of permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibitions like many of Nashville’s top museums. The main permanent exhibition is called Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music. This exhibit begins with the roots of country music in the 19th century and traces its evolving history through the current day.

You’ll also always find the American Currents: State of the Music exhibit which highlights important artists and events in the country music community in the past year. However, the musicians showcased change as such.

The rest of the exhibitions change periodically. You might find anything from an exhibit celebrating the anniversary of CMA Fest to one examining LA’s country-rock movement during the 1960s to 1980s.

There are also sometimes spotlights on specific artists. I really enjoyed the Martina McBride spotlight. (It was rotated out for a different artist during my last visit).

Taylor Swift Education Center

The Taylor Swift Education Center is also a permanent fixture in the museum. As a Taylor Swift fan, I love seeing a couple of her costumes on display here. However, the education center is designed as a center of learning rather than a tribute to Swift.

The Taylor Swift Education Center has fun hands-on activities children (and adults) will enjoy. There are also classrooms that host educational programs related to music for all ages including toddlers, school groups, and adults.

📚 Related Reading: I went to Centennial Park to find the Taylor Swift Bench

RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print

Besides the main museum, you have the option to book tours of the historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print. You cannot take a self-guided tour of either space. Like the rest of the museum, these spaces are operated by the Country Music Foundation.

Historic RCA Studio B is a recording space that was used to record many well-known classics like Dolly Parton’s “Joshua” and Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” The studio was donated to the museum in 1992, and the public is able to visit this historic site.

Hatch Show Print is one of the oldest letterpress print shops still in existence. The posters created by Hatch Show Print were used as advertising for much of the music industry in the South for most of the 20th century. The press still creates posters for artists as well as unique prints and items available for purchase.

Tips for Visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame

Plan for an Early Visit

The museum has timed entry, but it still gets more crowded as the day goes on. Buy tickets for an early time slot for the best experience. I planned out a complete 3-day itinerary for Nashville you can use to make organizing your Nashville trip as easy as possible!

Don’t Skip the Music Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame Park is located directly across the street from the entrance of the museum. The free Nashville attraction honors people who have contributed significantly to the music industry. You can find the stars for some of your favorite artists from a wide variety of genres – they aren’t all Hall of Fame inductees. 

Make Plans Nearby for Afterward

Take the time to explore more of Downtown Nashville before or after visiting the museum. I’d suggest going to Assembly Food Hall to eat because you can get food from some of Nashville’s best restaurants at the food court.

Bring a Smaller Stroller for Kids

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is family-friendly. However, when it gets crowded, it’s hard to maneuver a large stroller around. Small umbrella strollers work better if you’re visiting at peak times. Of course, if you don’t have a small stroller, you can still bring a larger one.

FAQs about the Country Music Hall of Fame

Who are some of the artists in the Country Music Hall of Fame?

Some of the artists in the Country Music Hall of Fame are Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, The Carter Family, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Garth Brooks. There are over 150 artists included in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Is the Country Music Hall of Fame good for families to visit?

The Country Music Hall of Fame is good for families to visit. Families can get an activity kit for children to help them enjoy the museum better. There are also typically some hands-on activities in the Taylor Swift Education Center.

How long does it take to walk through the Country Music Hall of Fame?

Expect to spend somewhere around an hour and a half at the Country Music Hall of Fame. There are a lot of artifacts and several interactive exhibits, so it could take longer if you typically stop to look at everything when you visit museums.

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Now you’re all ready to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. Before you go, make sure to check out our guide to where to stay in Nashville!