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# National Museum of African American Music – Explore African American musical heritage in Nashville, TN

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, TN, is a vibrant cultural institution dedicated to celebrating the rich history and influence of African American music. Opened in 2021, this museum offers an immersive experience that showcases various genres, from gospel to hip-hop. Visitors can engage with interactive exhibits that highlight the contributions of African Americans to the music industry and culture. The museum is located at 510 Broadway, a prime spot in Nashville, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists. With a focus on education and entertainment, NMAAM has quickly become a beloved destination, praised for its thoughtful curation and engaging atmosphere.

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I'd just returned from vacation and was in no mood to go back to work. So, I did what any person does in this climate*: I took a sick day. It wasn't even a 'sick' day because my mental health was not where it needed to be to deal with work things. The question was, now, what to do? As luck would have it, it was the first Wednesday of the month. And on the first Wednesday of the month, entry to NMAAM is free.** Decision made. I slept in, ate breakfast, took a shower, grabbed a mask***, ordered a rideshare, and made my way downtown. I'd been meaning to get to NMAAM for a while but life was lifing and I didn't have the chance. Plus, my free time coordinated with peak tourism traffic downtown so... no. This was perfect. I walked in, marveled at the high ceilings and made my way to reception. I keypadded my way in (data is never free), got my accessories and was led to the screening room. Before the tour, visitors watch a video to get a sense of what they're about to see. This is, after all, a history museum. Because I am Type A, I went in chronological order (of history and music type). Styles built on styles. You need to have a base before you add blocks. From roots (listen to each time period) to gospel to blues (and country; a 'Sinners' portion has to be soon to come) to jazz to doo-wop to rock & roll to funk to hip-hop to rap to now, you'll have the opportunity to learn, dig deep, perform, dance, mix, make music, laugh, smile, tear up, and get a better sense of the essential roll African-Americans have had in this country's (world's) history, culture, traditions, and state of being -- in this one area alone. The museum is vibrant, exciting, incredibly interactive, engaging, and immersive. The curation was incredibly thoughtful. The layout makes sense. And the build is beautiful. Like, really. It just *looks* good. There is a *lot* of Nashville that locals cede to the tourists. Don't let NMAAM be one of those things. This museum is worth the time and effort (and money) to visit. I love that it's the base of 5th & Broadway and smack dab in this middle of Broadway. That seems like an act of defiance that I can get behind. The museum is a jewel in the city's crown and we're so lucky to have it in our backyard. *And with this kind of fortune, I'm aware. **Things may have changed. Check first before putting me on blast. ***Covid is still very real. Despite the interior being breezy with high ceilings, mask up.

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Best Museum ever! I am so glad I came for a visit! It was informative, interactive, educational and fun all rolled into one. They have interactive bracelets that allow you to save any of the music you listen to or save any of the videos you make. I got to sing in a choir( with real robes!), make my own music, and participate in a dance video. Super Cool! The story of African American Music is rich, diverse and permeates every genre. This Music is the balm that heals and unites us all. This museum covered it all beautifully

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I purchased tickets for this museum off a site called get your guide, it's a reserve now pay later guide that helps with reserving your seats but pay on a timed date of your convenience. With that being said check in went smooth and speedy. It's located in a busy area with parking garages and eateries . Lots of foot traffic. FYI we had to park in a garage that charges for an hour in a half $21 bucks. Ridiculous! If you are traveling in , be very prompt of your arrival time, this museum closes at 5pm. It's not huge , one level , but it's very informative, plenty of rooms to explore from blues, hip hop, to quotes, clothing, instruments, videos, booths and areas that were hands on fun as well. Gift shop pricey and small. Plenty of exhibits! Staff were professional. Building was clean .

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What a lesson in not only AA music but the world's music. With the visit and please take the time to interact with the exhibits. We'll work every hour- yes hour!!! We could have stayed another 2 hours and just listened to the the interactive tables.

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If you love music this place is a must see in Nashville! Interactive displays and a wealth of music history and artifacts. For $5 you can purchase a wristband to download your music selections as you go throughout and create a playlist that is emailed to you. The only disappointing aspect of my visit was that the gift shop was closed that day.

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We came by on Juneteenth and admission was free. This museum is stunning and informative. There's a lot to see so block off at least 2 hours here, if not more. You will journey through the history of music in the African American community. You will see cool artifacts and learn things you didn't know before. This museum shows you how so much of our popular music today can trace its roots all the way back to here. Unsure if there is an elevator that leads downstairs. I only saw stairs you can take down to the museum. The staff were friendly and kind. They have a gift shop but it's honestly not that great and could use better items.

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This was easily one of the best museums I've been to. The visit starts with a short video that ties the music we know today back to Africa. Very informative and really weaves various genres back to African traditions and instruments. The museum was very interactive. LOTS of opportunity to create your own music , sing with a choir, and perform choreography. Very fun experience and very informational for people of any age.

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Date of visit: March 16, 2025 This was on my list for my last visit to Nashville but we ran out of time, so glad that we got to check it out this time around as it's a very good museum overall. Staff at the box office were phenomenal and I would recommend the wristband to download music you encounter throughout the exhibit for later listening on Spotify. The experience begins with a movie that staff hyped up but I didn't think was anything special, though certainly a cut above what you see at many museums, this was definitely not something produced by PBS! From there you enter a large hall with interactive tables and the first opportunity to add music to your wristband. From there are the five different sections. As each section is chronological, it doesn't matter which section you start with. If you came in with a large group, I would recommend heading down to One Nation Under a Groove or The Message right away, as those tend to get more crowded as the day goes on. Learned a lot, enjoyed the interactive sections, and overall felt it was incredibly well done. Just a couple opportunities: - Gift shop was severely lacking in available items, maybe a dozen total things to choose from, which was really disappointing as I had hopes for some good souvenirs to bring home. - Some things were out of order during my visit, including several of the stations at the interactive table in the main hall. - How is there absolutely zero mention of Brandy or Monica in any exhibit or on the interactive screens?

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The National Museum of African American Music was my favorite museum on my visit to Nashville. It is jam-packed with information. The exhibits are vibrant and contain pictures, memorabilia, and info from floor to ceiling and give a thorough history of music and how it has integrated into all aspects of life. Their interactive Roots & Streams stations situated in each section were fabulous; I could have spent all day weaving my way through musicians across decades and styles. They've got other interactive areas around being a DJ, dance, singing in a gospel choir, etc. that are neat as well. Just a very robust and engaging experience for anyone.

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My dad and I recently visited the National Museum of African American Music while on a daddy-daughter Spring Break trip. It was a recommendation from a family we met while on a tour at Uncle Nearest Distillery. We decided to visit since we finished our tour earlier that day. This museum chronicles the origin and trajectory of Black music in this country. It highlighted everything from Negro spirituals, to blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, and more. It even highlighted the African American influence on country and rock & roll. The tour is self-guided and there are several interactive exhibits. You can purchase a wristband you can use along the way download some of the musical content. Whatever you download is emailed to you the next day for you to add to our Spotify library. I wish I could have downloaded all the music highlighted in one displayed at once. You unfortunately must cycle through all the playlists and individually download each one which takes a significant amount of time. Had to stayed longer, I probably would have committed to doing that. The museum is downtown, so families can make a day of their visit (touring the museum, walking downtown, dining downtown, etc.). There is a paid parking garage next door for convenience. The one thing I noticed is the museum is not nearly big enough to showcase all the greatness it has to offer. With more space, they could enhance the exhibits and add more memorabilia. Overall, we enjoyed our visit, and I am still enjoying all the music I was able to download. #YelpEliteSquad

Discover the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN. Experience vibrant culture, rich history, and unforgettable musical moments. Plan your visit today.

National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN

Nashville

National Museum of African American Music

Tennessee

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National Museum of African American Music Menu – Food & Drinks in Nashville

Learn about the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. Discover our mission, exhibits, and what makes us a must-visit cultural landmark at 510 Broadway.

About the National Museum of African American Music, Nashville

Opening hours for the National Museum of African American Music, Nashville. Find opening hours for African American Music, Nashville on 510 Broadway.

National Museum of African American Music – Explore African American musical heritage in Nashville, TN

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