Music Attractions in Music City

Visit these music-themed attractions in Nashville and immerse yourself in the music of the city.

“A Tribute to the KING:  Thru the Years 1953-1977”
thenashvilleking.com
John Beardsley's hit show "A Tribute To The King: Thru The Years 1953-1977" is playing now!  The legend lives on in Nashville’s first and only continuously running show paying tribute to the King in Music City where he recorded over 300 songs!  This high energy, live musical biography transports the audience through six phases of his career.  John Beardsley’s world renowned performance, with over 30 songs, and 5 costumes, has thrilled audiences of all ages from New York to Russia.  Shows are every Monday and Thursday evening at the Texas Troubadour Theatre.    

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
countrymusichalloffame.org/
Real. Country. Music. This isn't just a museum; it’s an experience, an exciting and entertaining destination in Nashville with something for everyone. Rhinestone costumes, seasoned instruments and tear-stained lyric sheets are only the beginning. Add interactive exhibits, films featuring today's top country names, private sessions with professional songwriters, incredible architecture along with our famous southern hospitality, and a day at the museum turns into the memories of a lifetime.  

In the heart of downtown Nashville's vibrant entertainment district, the 130,000-square-foot museum offers breathtaking views of the city and is conveniently located within walking distance of major downtown hotels and the Nashville Convention Center. Event space includes an 11,000-square-foot glass-roofed conservatory, the 213-seat Ford Theater, the elegant Hall of Fame Rotunda and 40,000 square feet of gallery space to tour. On-site catering is available for groups up to 2,200.  

Ernest Tubb Record Shop – Downtown on Broadway and at Opryland on Music Valley Drive
etrecordshop.com/
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop is a one-stop shop for country and bluegrass CDs, DVDs, LPs, books, and memorabilia. Founded by Grand Ole Opry star Ernest Tubb in 1947, this store retains the charm of the past while offering a wide variety of contemporary and classic country music.  Ernest Tubb's Green Hornet Tour Bus on display and open for viewing.

Texas Troubadour Theatre (Opryland location) is home of the Midnight Jamboree, the second longest running radio show in history.  The show broadcasts every Saturday night at midnight with free admission and features some of country music’s legends.  The Texas Troubadour Theatre is also home to the show, “A Tribute to the King,” (www.thenashvilleking.com)  and Nashville Cowboy Church (http://nashvillecowboychurch.com/).

Fontanel Mansion
fontanelmansion.com
Fontanel Mansion is a 27,000 square foot log home on 136 acres of pristine land formerly owned by Country Music Hall of Fame member Barbara Mandrell. Nashville's only country music mansion tour, the Mansion gives visitors a sneak peek into the lives of country music greats by providing a truly interactive experience.  Fontanel encourages you to strum Buck Owen's guitar, try on Kenny Chesney's tour jacket and eat 'Crackers' in Barbara Mandrell's bed. Touch memorabilia from artist like Alabama, Gretchen Wilson, The Eagles and DeFord Bailey. Throughout this tour, guests will be led by storytellers and musicians. Visiting Fontanel is a rare experience that only a few chosen people were invited to do until now.  Fontanel is a home, not a museum. When your visit’s over, you'll leave as a friend.  

General Jackson Showboat
generaljackson.com/
The General Jackson Showboat is a 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat and one of the largest showboats in the country. It boasts four massive decks with a beautiful two-story Victorian Theater located in the center of the boat where live music shows are performed. Both midday and evening cruises offer a variety of entertainment options throughout the year. You'll always find something new just around the bend. Holiday cruises begin mid-November each year, and special cruises includes a festive New Year's Eve celebration. The General Jackson is an experience you'll only find in Music City!

Grand Ole Opry
opry.com
The show that made country music famous features the new stars, superstars and legends of country music in each performance. At the Opry, you can count on things happening you just can't see anywhere else. Catch the Opry at the Grand Ole Opry House February through October, or during the Opry's wintertime run at its most famous former home, the historic Ryman Auditorium, November through January.  

What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live-entertainment phenomenon dedicated to honoring country music's rich history and dynamic present with a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. Go to www.opry.com for show schedule.  

Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
opry.com/shows/TourTheOpryHouse.html
Go Backstage! The Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Tour is a must for anyone visiting Nashville. Go behind the scenes of the show that made country music famous and walk in the footsteps of country legends and superstars. Daytime tours are available seven days a week, February – October. Post-show tours are also available. Visit opry.com for tour schedules and reservations.

Grand Ole Opry Museum
opry.com
The Grand Ole Opry Museum pays tribute to the worlds longest-running radio show and its stars with exhibits honoring the likes of the legendary Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Little Jimmy Dickens. Exhibits featuring todays chart-topping artists are also on display exploring the careers of performers such as Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Travis Tritt. Displays feature special audio and video electronic effects and interactive devices so you can hear the music as you relive the history of country music. The museum is located in the Opry Plaza area near the Grand Ole Opry House.

Hatch Show Print
hatchshowprint.com
One of the oldest-known letterpress poster shops in America, Hatch Show Print has been in business since 1879 and still continues to use the same techniques as they did over 150 years ago. Now owned and operated by the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, Hatch has been a leading poster printer for vaudeville, circuses, and sporting events; however, Hatch is probably best known for posters of the Grand Ole Opry stars.  

Historic RCA Studio B
countrymusichalloffame.org/studiob/
Visit Historic RCA Studio B, "The Home of 1,000 Hits." Get an up-close look at what was once the second home of music legends Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton and more. Over 35,000 songs were recorded here, including, "It's Now Or Never," "Only The Lonely" and "I Will Always Love You." Now you can see how and where many of the greatest performers of the 1950s through the 1970s made timeless music and recording history.  Tours of Studio B depart daily from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, call for details. Tickets must be purchased with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum admission.    

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch
lorettalynnranch.net
Country music fans have long listened to the familiar strains of Loretta Lynn's famous ballad Coal Miner's Daughter. Now you can learn about the legend and her family while enjoying country life as a guest on her private ranch.  Occasionally, Loretta makes an appearance and performs a concert for her guests and invites them to sing along.  

Experience the legend of Loretta Lynn in her new 18,000 square foot Coal Miner’s Daughter museum.  Loretta has amassed a huge collection of memorabilia and awards from her career as well as mementos from her many beloved friends in the World of Entertainment.

Located in the Grist Mill, Loretta’s Fan & Doll Museum hosts a vast array of dolls and gifts sent to Loretta from her loving and devoted fans. This museum is a tribute to her loyal fans.  

Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
musicianshalloffame.com/museum/
The Musicians Hall Of Fame and Museum is the one and only museum in the world that honors the talented musicians who actually played on the greatest recordings of all time.

Some like Jimi Hendrix are well known, while others like L.A session drummer Hal Blaine are not as well known to the public, but have played on hundreds of hit records from Elvis, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, The Byrds, The Mamas and The Papas and The Beach Boys, just to name a very few . The Musicians Hall Of Fame and Museum has on exhibit the very instruments that these musicians used to record many of these classic hits. The Museum will constantly be adding new exhibits for you to enjoy from all genres of music. The museum is divided into cities that have a history of recorded music. Cities like Detroit, Nashville, Muscle Shoals, L.A., Memphis and N.Y . All of these places had musicians who were there when the recording industry was evolving and were able to play whatever was needed of them regardless of style. They had nick names like The Swampers, The A-TEAM, The Memphis Boys, The FUNK BROTHERS, and The WRECKING CREW. Some of these studio bands actually became hit bands themselves, like Booker T and The M.G.’s and TOTO. During the late 50s through to the mid 80s, these groups of studio musicians played on over eighty to ninety percent of all the records recorded in these music centers.

The museum also is proud of its host city’s musical past as well. Nashville is known as the center of country music but not many people know how many other styles of music have been recorded here in the past and now. Songs like ” Dust In The Wind” by Kansas, “Heart Of Gold ” by Neil Young and “Lay Lady Lay” by Bob Dylan were recorded here in music city to name a few .

Music City Walk of Fame Park
visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame/
The Music City Walk of Fame on Nashville's Music Mile is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration and made a significant contribution to the music industry with connection to Music City. Induction ceremonies are held twice a year, in April and November, and are free and open to the public. Inductees include Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, Little Richard, Hank Williams, Vince Gill, The Crickets, Barbara Mandrell, Wynonna Judd, Roy Orbison and more.  

Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater
nashvillenightlife.com/
Experience the sound that made Nashville famous all over the world.  Check out Nashville's newest production, "The Best of Country Music Dinner & Show" at the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater!  Experience a celebration of country music from both past and present. Hear songs from many of the great artists in country music history along with today's hottest superstars. Enjoy the music of everyone from Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline to the superstars of today like Sara Evans and Toby Keith! Throughout the season we have many guest stars appear at our theater including Grand Ole Opry Star Jeannie Seely, "The Fiddle Man" Tim Watson, Diana Murrell, "Nashville's favorite" Brenda Best, Paula Murrell (from the Tammy Wynette show) and many other celebrities!  

Nashville Symphony
nashvillesymphony.org
The GRAMMY® Award-winning Nashville Symphony has earned an international reputation for its innovative programming and its commitment to performing, recording and commissioning works by America’s leading composers. With more than 140 performances annually, the 85-member orchestra offers a broad range of classical, pops and jazz, and children’s concerts, while its extensive education and community engagement programs inspire over 180,000 children and adults each year.

National Museum of African American Music
nmaam.com
The forthcoming National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only museum in the national with a dedicated focus on all dimensions of the contributions African Americans have made to American music. The NMAAM will serve a global landscape by celebrating and honoring the legacy, impact, and influence of African American music on musicians and consumers around the world and countless musical genres. Opening date will be released soon.  

Ryman Auditorium
ryman.com
Originally built as a church in 1892, the Ryman Auditorium later became a theater, hosting such performers as Sarah Bernhardt, Charlie Chaplin, Mae West and Katharine Hepburn. From 1943 to 1974, the auditorium was home to the Grand Ole Opry, featuring such pioneering performers as Hank Williams, Bill Monroe and Patsy Cline. The auditorium's acoustics are widely recognized as being among the best in the world. Renovated in 1994, the 2,363-seat hall was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000.  

By day, the Ryman offers tours that showcase the legendary stars who have graced her stage. Take a self guided museum tour or guided backstage tour. Record your own CD in the Ryman Recording Studio! In the evenings, the Ryman continues to host concerts featuring the biggest names in show business year round.

The Johnny Cash Museum
johnnycash.com
The Johnny Cash Museum is dedicated to the life and music career of the late “Man in Black” and features 18,000 square feet of memorabilia, interactive exhibits and a 250-seat auditorium.  Shop the onsite museum store for the largest selection of Cash merchandise.

Two Old Hippies
twooldhippies.com
Located at 12th and Pine in The Gulch area, this store at 8,000 square feet boasts a stage complete with instruments, truss stage lighting and a mixing board. A special guitar room was created, called "The Vault," which provides sanctuary for those that wish to jam in a quiet space. The rest of the store is an experience of our unique apparel collections, accessories, fun novelty and gift items, and their very own Magic Bus located right in the center of the store. The walls are lined with an incredible collection of rock n roll memorabilia all available for sale. Two Old Hippies is a leader in premium and vintage guitars and carry a large selection of the best made acoustic guitars. To further enhance and share their love and passion for music, they created a lifestyle shop where you will find a wide range of music inspired Men’s and Women’s clothing. In addition to bohemian hippie chic clothing, they also carry a unique selection of jewelry, bags, gifts and much more. Have a look and share in the Peace, Love & Rock N Roll!

Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and General Store
willienelsongeneralstore.com
Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and General Store, a Nashville tradition for 30 years, features Nashville's largest souvenir shop and a showcase museum dedicated to traditional country music legends.  

The museum showcases one of the world's largest collections of personal items from Willie Nelson and his many friends including Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Faron Young, Mel Tillis, Webb Pierce, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Hank Cochran, Barbara Mandrell, Conway Twitty, Jeannie Seely, Norma Jean and many others.

The General Store offers a variety of souvenirs and keepsakes, including Willie Nelson merchandise and unique Nashville and country music related souvenirs.