Country Music Hall of Fame

Overview

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a 350,000-square-foot institution on Nashville's Music Mile that chronicles the evolution of country music from its Appalachian folk roots to its modern-day crossover appeal. Opened in 2001 and designed by Tuck-Hinton Architects, the building itself is an architectural statement—its windows evoke piano keys, the roofline mirrors a vintage Cadillac tailfin, and the rotunda tower echoes a radio antenna.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibits: Over 2.5 million artifacts including Elvis's gold Cadillac, Taylor Swift's handwritten lyrics, and Hank Williams's Martin guitar.
• Historic RCA Studio B tour: An optional guided tour visits the Dickerson Road studio where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers recorded over 35,000 songs.
• Rotating exhibits: Major temporary exhibitions spotlight artists from Johnny Cash to Brandi Carlile.

History

The original Hall of Fame opened in 1967 on Music Row. As the collection outgrew its space, the museum relocated to its current downtown campus in 2001, with a major expansion in 2014 doubling the gallery space.

Visitor Tips

• Best time: Weekday mornings see the shortest queues.
• Studio B: Book the add-on tour in advance—it fills up fast and is not included in general admission.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.