Tennessee State Museum

I absolutely loved the Tennessee State Museum! What a fantastic gem, especially on a hot day – it was wonderfully cool inside. The museum has an incredibly huge and impressive collection that really takes you on a journey. I particularly enjoyed how it goes all the way back to the geological beginning of the land, then beautifully transitions to show the early migrations of people, the rich history of the Native Americans who lived in this area, and then the European settlements. The staff were truly kind and helpful, which made the visit even more pleasant. It wasn't too busy when I was there, and there's so much space that everyone can enjoy the exhibits without feeling crowded or getting in each other's way. The museum is really well laid out, making it easy to navigate through the different eras and themes. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit on music, and even though I know a lot about music already, I learned so much, especially about the Nashville Sound. The photography exhibit was also fascinating, going back to the very early days around 1850. I was especially moved by the photos, including one of a white baby and her slave nurse – a powerful historical image. The fact that it's completely free to visit is just amazing and makes it a must-do for anyone in Nashville. Highly recommend!

This is really a great place to roam around and explore with kids and family with no cost (absolutely free). They have children’s area, story telling time and little activities for kids and toddlers. The museum is really big, quiet and well maintained. All employees were very friendly and helpful. Thanks for making such places.

The Tennessee State Museum was one of the best contemporary museums I’ve ever been to and it’s free. It’s open from 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. It wasn’t too crowded and the parking at the museum is free. The museum provides a comprehensive collection of artifacts on the history of Tennessee from over a million years ago to present day covering topics such as the Paleoindians, Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, Long Hunters to the current day musicians, astronauts and athletes and battles, wars and different political movements. The displays are engaging, interactive and up-to-date with videos, placards and 3D interactive panels. The museum is clean, comfortable and contemporary Plan on spending about 2-3 hours at the museum. There’s so much to see that you will want to come back and visit again.

This is the best museum to go to in Nashville! Please, just go here first before the other ones. It’s free, has top notch exhibits. Great videos presentations for each era. One of my favourite tourist attractions.

Thoroughly recommend the Tennessee State Museum if you’re staying in the area, or just passing through! Very interesting, and the free tour guides are very informative and more than happy to answer questions. Plenty of incredibly interesting exhibits, and follows a good structure. On top of this, the staff are fantastic, and really dedicated to what they do. Gift shop was great as well, and fairly priced considering museum entrance and tours are free!

The Tennessee State Museum is a beautiful museum in downtown Nashville which offers a huge range of information of the history of Tennessee from the first early native Indians up to present day Tennessee. And the most important thing about the museum is that admission is FREE!!! Also, there is plenty of parking at this location. I highly recommend visiting this museum to learn about Tennessee's history!!

The Tennessee State Museum is an absolute must-visit for history lovers and curious minds alike. The museum is exceptionally well-maintained and clean, creating an inviting and immersive experience from start to finish. One of the standout features is the seamless flow between exhibits, the layout is modern and thoughtfully designed, allowing visitors to move smoothly from one topic to another without feeling disoriented. The architecture itself complements the storytelling, making for a visually and intellectually engaging visit. The educational value here is outstanding, offering deep insights into Tennessee’s history, culture, and heritage. Whether you're a local or a visitor, there’s something to learn and appreciate. The fact that admission is free is a huge bonus, but honestly, I wouldn’t mind paying for an experience of this quality, it’s well worth it. Highly recommended!

This place is really cool ... So much information and history .. I spent an hour in just a Tennessee Time tunnel, I definitely have to go back to finish the rest of each exhibit. I feel like it could be a day trip if you really want to take time at each station and read everything bc there's so much to take in. They start kicking people out 15 minutes till closing time so you don't actually get to stay till 5:00 .No food or drinks allowed, not even bottled water. They offer free lockers upon entry. No backpacks unless you wear them in the front. It's a must see whether you live in Tennessee, or if you're just coming to visit ❤️