Updated in September 2026, this National Museum of African American Music guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
NMAAM is a music history museum in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The museum’s official address is now 598 Broadway, though many booking sites and older guides still list its original 510 Broadway address. This guide was updated in September 2026 to reflect the change. You can book in advance through GetYourGuide before your visit.
Quick facts about NMAAM
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 598 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 |
| Opening hours | Mon & Sun 12pm–5pm; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; last entry 4pm |
| Adult admission (18–64) | $33.33 |
| Youth admission (5–17) | $29.33 (in person only) |
| Child admission (4 & under) | Free |
| Parking | $25 flat rate, beneath the museum |
| Typical visit duration | 90 minutes to 2 hours |
Why book NMAAM tickets?
- 🏛️ The only museum of its kind: NMAAM is the only museum solely dedicated to music created, influenced and inspired by African Americans.
- 🎟️ An interactive wristband included: Every general admission ticket comes with an RFID wristband that builds you a personalised playlist as you explore.
- 🌿 Free on the first Wednesday: Nissan Free Wednesdays waive gallery admission every first Wednesday of the month.
- 📜 Six genre-spanning galleries: Explore music from gospel and blues to jazz, R&B and hip-hop, all under one roof.
- 💰 Free for under-5s: Children aged 4 and under always go free.
Opening hours at NMAAM
NMAAM opens Monday and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm, and Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Last entry for all guests, including groups, is 4pm. The museum closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Ticket prices for NMAAM
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | $33.33 |
| Senior (65+) | $31.33 (in person, with ID) |
| Military & first responders | $31.33 (in person, with ID) |
| Educator | $29.33 (in person, with ID) |
| Student | $29.33 (in person, with ID) |
| Youth (5–17) | $29.33 (in person only) |
| Child (4 & under) | Free |
Every ticket includes an RFID Interactive Wristband. Online tickets are non-refundable but stay valid for one year after purchase. Nissan Free Wednesdays, held on the first Wednesday of each month, waive gallery admission, though wristbands cost $5 that day. Prices are current as of September 2026 and may change without notice. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure your preferred time.
5 great Nashville experiences to book
- 🍸 Discover secret speakeasies on a guided cocktail crawl.
- 🏠 On a homes of the stars tour, see where Music City’s celebs live.
- 🍽️ Taste Tennessee’s local delicacies on a Nashville food tour.
- 🚢 Take a lunch or dinner cruise on the General Jackson showboat.
- 🎤 Get to know the Grand Ole Opry on a guided backstage tour.
How to get to NMAAM
By car, NMAAM is on Broadway in downtown Nashville, with a second entrance on Rep. John Lewis Way.
On foot, the museum is within walking distance of most downtown Nashville hotels.
By public transit, several WeGo bus routes stop nearby downtown.
Why book the Nashville Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour?
- 🎸 Music City Landmarks: Experience the best of Nashville with a route that hits over 100 points of interest, including the Ryman Auditorium, Music Row, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- 🏛️ Centennial Park & The Parthenon: Enjoy easy access to Nashville’s “West End,” where you can explore the world’s only full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon.
- 🎤 Live Narrated Commentary: Learn about the city’s rich history, from its early pioneer days to its rise as the world’s country music capital, through entertaining stories from expert guides.
- 🚋 13 Convenient Stops: Explore at your own pace with a ticket that allows you to hop on and off at strategically located stops near the Gulch, Broadway, and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
- 🕒 Sightseeing Made Simple: Avoid the hassle of downtown parking and traffic while enjoying a comprehensive loop that provides a perfect introduction for first-time visitors.
Parking at NMAAM
Parking is available directly beneath the museum through Metropolis, at a flat rate of $25 for museum visits. Download the Metropolis app and set up payment before you arrive, then validate at the lobby kiosk before you leave.
How long to spend at NMAAM
Most visitors spend 90 minutes to two hours moving through the galleries. There’s no fixed time limit once inside, though last entry is 4pm.
Accessibility at NMAAM
The museum is wheelchair accessible throughout. Elevator access is at the Rep. John Lewis Way entrance; ask a staff member there if you need help with the elevator or a wheelchair.
What to see at NMAAM
Roots Theater. A short introductory film sets the scene for the galleries beyond, tracing the roots of African American music.
Rivers of Rhythm. This interactive pathway links American history with music through an animated timeline.
Crossroads Gallery. Dedicated to the blues, this gallery traces the genre’s roots and its influence on everything that followed.
A Love Supreme Gallery. Named after the John Coltrane album, this space explores the history of jazz.
One Nation Under a Groove Gallery. Rhythm and blues and funk take centre stage here, spanning decades of sound.
The Message Gallery. The museum’s hip-hop gallery brings the genre’s history and culture to life.
Practical tips for visiting NMAAM
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visit on the first Wednesday | Nissan Free Wednesdays waive general admission, though wristbands cost $5. |
| Buy senior, student and youth tickets in person | These discounted rates aren’t available online. |
| Set up the Metropolis app beforehand | It speeds up paying for parking beneath the museum. |
| Don’t rush the wristband | Tap it at exhibits throughout to build a playlist you can revisit at home. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended, especially at weekends, and you can book through GetYourGuide. |
Frequently asked questions about NMAAM
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What’s the museum’s current address? | 598 Broadway; some sites still list the original 510 Broadway address. |
| Is there a free admission day? | Yes, Nissan Free Wednesdays, the first Wednesday of each month, though wristbands cost $5 that day. |
| What does general admission include? | Access to all six permanent galleries and an RFID Interactive Wristband. |
| Is NMAAM wheelchair accessible? | Yes, throughout, with elevator access at the Rep. John Lewis Way entrance. |
| Should I book in advance? | Yes, particularly at weekends. You can book in advance through GetYourGuide. |
Things to do near NMAAM
The Ryman Auditorium is a short walk away, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry and still an active concert venue.
Lower Broadway is lined with honky-tonks and live music bars, just outside the museum’s doors.
Bridgestone Arena hosts concerts and Nashville Predators hockey games, a short walk from the museum.
Ascend Amphitheater is on the riverfront, hosting outdoor concerts through the warmer months.
The Frist Art Museum, in a former art deco post office, offers a change of pace with rotating visual art exhibitions.
Alternative attractions to NMAAM
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum traces the history of country music, a short walk from NMAAM in downtown Nashville.
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum honours the session musicians behind some of music’s best-known recordings.
The Johnny Cash Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia, a short walk away.
The Patsy Cline Museum traces the singer’s life and career through personal artifacts and recreated rooms.
The George Jones Museum celebrates the country star’s life and career, with a rooftop bar overlooking Lower Broadway.
More Nashville travel
Other Nashville travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to know before visiting Madame Tussauds Nashville.
- First time visitor guides to Belmont Mansion and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage in Nashville.
- Practical visitor guide to Lane Motor Museum and the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.
- Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, Nashville: Guide to the gardens and art museum on a 1930s estate.
- Getting to Nashville: What to see on the Detroit to Nashville drive, Lexington to Nashville drive, Louisville to Nashville drive and Pittsburgh to Nashville drive.
