The Best Museums in Tennessee: Art, History, and Science

Tennessee boasts a diverse array of museums that capture the state’s rich cultural, artistic, and scientific heritage. From art galleries to historical institutions and interactive science centers, Tennessee’s museums offer something for everyone. This guide explores some of the best museums to visit across the state.

1. The Frist Art Museum (Nashville)

• Focus: Art exhibitions from classical to contemporary.
• Highlights: Housed in a stunning Art Deco building, the Frist regularly rotates exhibitions, ensuring there’s always something new to see.

2. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Nashville)

• Focus: Country music history.
• Highlights: The museum showcases memorabilia, instruments, and exhibits that tell the story of country music from its roots to its current stars.

3. National Civil Rights Museum (Memphis)

• Focus: The history of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Highlights: Located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the museum offers a comprehensive overview of the struggle for civil rights in the U.S.

4. Discovery Park of America (Union City)

• Focus: Science, history, and art.
• Highlights: This expansive museum and park feature exhibits on space, technology, natural history, and more, making it ideal for families.

5. Tennessee State Museum (Nashville)

• Focus: The history of Tennessee.
• Highlights: Exhibits cover the state’s past from prehistoric times to the present, including significant events like the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.