Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville (must see)

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the world's largest museums and research centers dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American country music.

Founded in 1964, the museum's mission is to document the history of country music, an art form that has had a significant impact on the culture of the United States and beyond. It's often considered the definitive home for country music, given Nashville's storied connection to the genre.

The museum's architecture itself is a tribute to country music. The building's unique design features a piano keyboard merging into a car grille on one side and a Cadillac tailfin on the other, symbols that reflect country music's deep ties to southern culture. The museum's windows replicate the black diamond shapes found on a WSM radio tower, the station that broadcasts the Grand Ole Opry.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's expansive collection includes over 2.5 million artifacts. It features sound recordings, photographs, films, and a variety of musical instruments used by country music's most influential figures. Items such as Elvis Presley's "Solid Gold" Cadillac and Jimmie Rodgers' guitar can be found within the museum.

In addition to its vast collection, the museum also includes the 776-seat CMA Theater, the 213-seat Ford Theater, and the Taylor Swift Education Center. It hosts educational programs, live performances, public programs, exhibitions, and serves as a venue for artist interviews and panels.

The Hall of Fame Rotunda, part of the museum, is a sacred place where members of the Hall of Fame are commemorated with bronze plaques. The selection process is tightly controlled and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is considered one of the highest honors in the genre.

Tip:
Be sure to check the museum website for live music options. Also, consider getting the RCA Studio B tour combo ticket.