Frist Art Museum
919 Broadway, Nashville fristartmuseum.org Hours: Mon-Wed 10am-5:30pm, Thu-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 1pm-5:30pm Admission: Adults $15, Seniors $10, College Students $10, Under 18 free
Distance: 3 floors of galleries Time needed: 1-2 hours Difficulty: Easy to moderate, elevator access
The former post office’s Art Deco architecture is worth the visit alone. Duck into the cool marble halls and wander the rotating exhibitions – they change quarterly, so there’s always something new. The Martin ArtQuest Gallery lets you channel your inner artist with hands-on stations. Bonus: It’s free on second Thursdays.
Pro tip: The café serves one of downtown’s better lattes, and you can sip it in the courtyard.
Tennessee State Museum
1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. tnmuseum.org Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm, Closed Monday Admission: Free
Distance: 137,000 square feet Time needed: 30-90 minutes Difficulty: Easy, fully accessible
This is your crash course in Tennessee history, from prehistoric times to present day. The permanent collection includes Civil War artifacts, Indigenous cultural items, and that red-and-white checkered shirt Dolly wore in “9 to 5.” Always free, always air-conditioned.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the immersive Civil Rights era lunch counter recreation – it’s powerful and surprisingly moving.
Van Vechten Gallery at Fisk University
1000 17th Avenue North fisk.edu/galleries Hours: Call for current hours – (615) 329-8720 Admission: Adults $10, Students $5
Distance: One intimate gallery Time needed: 45 minutes Difficulty: Easy
The gallery houses part of Georgia O’Keeffe’s personal art collection, which she donated to Fisk in 1949. Think Picasso, Cézanne, and O’Keeffe’s own works. It’s a hidden gem that most tourists never see.
Pro tip: Call ahead – hours vary by season.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. countrymusichalloffame.org Hours: Daily 9am-5pm Admission: Adults $29.95, Youth (6-12) $19.95, Under 5 free
Distance: Three floors Time needed: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Yes, it’s touristy. But even locals return for the rotating exhibits and deep archive cuts. The permanent collection traces country music’s evolution from folk roots to Taylor Swift. Free for locals on first Sundays (bring ID).
Pro tip: Skip the gift shop crowds and hit Ernest Tubb Record Shop nearby for authentic Nashville music souvenirs.
P.S. Heading out in early 2025? The State Museum unveils its Tennessee craft retrospective in February, and word is the Frist has a major contemporary show in the works for March. But you didn’t hear that from me.
Editor’s Note: Hours and admission prices subject to change. Check museum websites for current details.
