Museum Policies, Procedures and FAQ

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a welcoming and accessible environment for all. Our policies and guidelines help protect the Museum’s collection and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors. We appreciate your cooperation.

General Museum Policies

  • We welcome all service animals recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support animals or pets are not allowed.
  • No food or drink is allowed inside the Museum galleries. Bottled water is permitted in a sealable container.
  • You are welcome to take non-flash photographs in the Museum and during most Museum programs as long as they are for private, noncommercial use only. However, flash photography, selfie sticks, and tripods are prohibited.
  • No video recording is allowed in the Museum galleries, during Historic RCA Studio B tours, Hatch Show Print tours, and Museum programs.
  • Personal items larger than 16 x 17 x 8 will not be permitted in the Museum and cannot be checked in for storage at the Museum. The Museum reserves the right to inspect any parcel, container, or bag brought into the premises. Security guards may conduct random bag checks when you arrive.
  • No weapons allowed. This includes guns, pepper spray, tasers, stun guns, knives, and other sharp objects.
  • Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Smoking, including electronic smoking, is not permitted in the Museum or on its grounds.

Code of Conduct

Behaviors that interfere with the Museum’s mission or involve harassment, abuse, or endangerment of visitors, staff, or volunteers are not permitted. This includes discriminatory or obscene language, clothing, or conduct – or any behaviors that disrupt the experience of others. The Museum reserves the right to ask any individuals who engage in these behaviors to leave the premises.

Accessibility

 

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum strives to provide all visitors with an enjoyable experience by offering services to assist with various needs and abilities. In addition, our facility is equipped with various features and amenities we hope will create a welcoming environment for all our guests. If you have questions or would like to receive additional information regarding the accessibility of our facility and resources, please contact us.

All programs and services are included with admission to the Museum unless stated otherwise.

Mobility Accommodations

There are two entrances into the building. An access ramp for our main entrance is located on the corner of Demonbreun and 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. The 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. entrance access ramp is located to the side of the doors. Inside, the Museum is equipped with elevator service at all levels, including elevators to all floors of the CMA Theater. Ramps and automated door entrances are in place for wheelchair accessibility. Historic RCA Studio B tours are also wheelchair accessible. However, due to weight limitation for the wheelchair lift on the bus, motorized wheelchairs or scooters are not allowed. We do have wheelchairs that can be used in their place. A ramp is located for entry at the Studio along with accessible restrooms for emergencies. Please remember that all Studio B tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and you must be at the waiting area at least 15 minutes prior to tour time.

Courtesy Wheelchairs

A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for our visitors while they are touring the Museum. Wheelchairs can be checked out at the Guest Services Desk. Ask a Guest Relations Specialist for assistance.

  • Wheelchairs will be disinfected when checked out by guest and when returned.
  • Guest Relations Specialists will wear single-use gloves when handling wheelchairs.

If you are on the Studio B Tour, motorized scooters are not allowed due to weight limitations on the bus’s wheelchair lift.

Accessible Seating

The Ford Theater and CMA Theater both have designated wheelchair accessibility areas. These areas are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible Restrooms

Wheelchair-accessible and Family restrooms are available on all floors of the Museum and CMA Theater. Accessible water fountains are on each floor of the Museum and the fourth floor of the CMA Theater.

Visual Impairments

Large Print Guides

Our Audio Tour is a great enhancement to the Museum experience. We also have a Large Print Guide of the Museum’s audio script that is available at the Guest Services Desk. Feel free to ask a Guest Relations Specialist for more information.

  • Printed Guides will be disinfected when checked out by guest and when returned.
  • Guest Relations Specialist will wear single-use gloves when handling Printed Guides.
  • Guest Relations Specialist will wear single-use gloves when handling Audio Wands
Braille Resources

Braille descriptions of the exhibits Sing Me Back Home and Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s, gallery maps, and information guides can be requested at any location and checked out during your Museum visit from Guest Services, near the Museum’s main box office.

Descriptive Tours

Many exhibits have sound stations where visitors can experience the various styles of country music, hear recorded interviews with artists, or listen to related broadcast programs like the Grand Ole Opry. Upon request, guided tours are available for visitors who are blind or have visual impairments.

If you require a guided tour, please contact us online or at (615) 416-2001 to reserve a tour guide two weeks prior to your visit. These requests are subject to the availability of a guide, and may have a range of time limitation.

Auditory Impairments

Assistive Listening Devices

Our Audio Tour is a great enhancement to the Museum tour and is T-coil compatible. Headsets are available upon request with the standard audio wand rental. We offer the tour in English, German, French, Japanese, and Spanish.

Audio Tour

Printed copies of our Audio Tour are available at our Guest Services Desk.

Sign Language Interpretation

Sign Language Interpreters are available for most of our Museum programs upon request. If you require sign language interpretation, please contact us online or (615) 416-2001 two weeks prior to the Museum program. These requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter, and may have a range of time limitation.

Service Animals

The Museum abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and welcomes all service animals into all the public areas of the Museum. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Personal pets are not allowed.

Transportation Accommodations

Transportation by the City’s MTA

The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) provides transportation services in Davidson County for those with disabilities who are unable to use the standard buses with fixed routes. Further information, eligibility requirements, and reservation forms and procedures are available at the Nashville MTA’s website.

Language Supports and Translations

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has a variety of translated materials to make multilingual guests feel welcome. These materials and their locations in the Museum are listed below.

Audio Guides

Audio guides to supplement the self-guided Museum tour are available for purchase. Devices are borrowed during your visit, and returned at the end of your tour. Audio guides are available in the following languages:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese

Museum Information Guides and Gallery Maps

Museum information and gallery maps are available at all ticketing counters, as well as the Information Desk and the Box Office in the Jerry and Ernie Williams Grand Lobby, accessible from the 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. entrance. Guides and maps are available in print onsite and via download in the following languages:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Kurdish
  • Braille** Braille maps and information guides can be requested at any location and checked out during the Museum visit from Guest Services near the Museum’s main box office.

Exhibit Text

Print translations of the exhibit panel text for Sing Me Back Home, the Museum’s permanent exhibit covering the history of country music from its pre-commercial roots to its present-day global success, are available for check out from Guest Services near the Museum’s main box office. The following translations are available:

  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Kurdish
  • Braille

Autism and Sensory Sensitivities

In collaboration with Vanderbilt University’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum developed the following supports to make guests with sensory needs feel welcome:

Sensory Map: Use this visual map to help prepare for a visit to the Museum. The map indicates sound, light, and touch experiences, as well as quieter places to cool down. Download at home, or ask for a copy at the first floor Guest Services Desk.
Coming Soon!

Social Story: Use this illustrated guide to help know what to expect during your visit to the Museum. For Online Family Programs, a Social Story is emailed out to participants on the morning of each program.

Sensory Kits: Coming soon! Sensory Kits will be available for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis. Each kit includes fidgets, noise-reducing headphones, sensory map, and sunglasses. Please visit the Guest Services Desk on the first floor to check out, or email FamilyFun@CountryMusicHallofFame.org to reserve in advance.

Young Explorer Bag: These activity bags are designed for families with young children, available for free checkout. Young Explorer Bags are filled with guided activity suggestions, a touch-and-feel book, and a music player to help explore the galleries. This resource may also benefit families with sensory needs. Details are available here. Please visit the Guest Services or Information Desks on the first floor to check out a Young Explorer Bag, or email FamilyFun@CountryMusicHallofFame.org to reserve in advance.

Quieter Times to Visit: While we cannot guarantee certain times will be slower than others, the early morning (9:00 to 11:00 AM) and late afternoon (3:00 to 5:00 PM) on weekdays tend to be less busy.

Sensory-friendly Supports for String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry: A social story and visual schedule are available for String City performances. Modified sensory-friendly performances with brighter lighting, quieter audio, and smaller crowds are also available. See the performance schedule here.

Family Program Accommodations: A cool-down corner is offered in all in-person family programs, with noise-reducing headphones, books, and fidgets. We also offer easier-to-use materials like adaptive scissors in Creative Zone programs.

We strive to make the Museum a welcoming place for all, and we want to ensure the best experience for every family’s needs. If you have other sensory needs or questions, please email FamilyFun@CountryMusicHallofFame.org.

For any additional accommodations, please contact us at (615) 416-2001 or submit an online form below.

Request Accomodations

The Museum welcomes comments and suggestions about how we might continue to improve the experience for guests with disabilities. Please call 615-416-2001, email us, or write to us at:

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Ticketing Services & Reservations
222 Rep. John Lewis Way S.
Nashville, TN 37203

Frequently Asked Questions

The Museum is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm CDT/CST. We are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. We also close for our Medallion ceremony annually. It typically takes place the third Sunday in October. See the website for updates. Please note the galleries close promptly at 5:00pm and we begin alerting visitors 15 minutes prior to close. The Museum is self-guided, but we recommend at least two hours to experience the full Museum tour. On occasion, the hours may change. For the most updated information, please visit www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

There are several paid lots located around the Museum. The Music City Center (6th Avenue S. and Demonbreun) and the Hilton Hotel are both across the street from the Museum and offer paid parking. Visit ParkItDowntown.com for additional options.

We are within walking distance of many downtown hotels. Visit NashvilleMTA.org for local public transportation details. Uber and Lyft are also available in Nashville.

We are a self-guided museum, allowing you to design your own experience based on your specific interests. However, with our expanded exhibit space, we suggest allowing approximately two hours to experience the Museum. Audio guides to enhance your visit are available in English, Spanish, Japanese, French, and German, and can be purchased on property or online.

Spend the entire day with us and add on tours of Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print (each tour lasts one hour), and enjoy lunch or a snack at one of our two dining options. The Museum does close at 5:00 PM, though you can linger at one of our four retail stores (open until 5:30 PM).

Yes! We offer discounts on Adult General Admission tickets to Students, Seniors (60+), and Military/Veterans, with valid identification. (Discounts and coupons must be applied at time of purchase at the Museum Box Office only, and do not apply to discounted Experiences prices.)

Yes! We have a Museum admission program for locals. Visit the Locals Program page for more details.

We accept all major credit cards. We do not accept personal checks or travelers checks.

Yes! One of our favorite comments to hear from our guests is that they did not walk in our doors as a country music fan, but they left as one. Country music has roots tied to so many other genres of music. There is something for everyone here.

Yes! We are a family-friendly museum with something for visitors of all ages! With several interactive stations, videos, recording and listening booths, kids can be a part of the music. The Taylor Swift Education Center offers a large variety of special family programming designed specifically to make music come alive for children of all ages. We have new exhibit space specifically designed for the young—or the young at heart. Visit our Calendar page for a full schedule of this month’s programs!

Yes. We have a limited number of complimentary wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. We will ask for a photo ID in order for the wheelchair to be checked out. The wheelchairs are not allowed off of the premises. There are accessible ramps located at each of our entrances.

Please know that motorized scooters are not allowed on the Studio B Tour bus. Wheelchairs are available at Studio B.

Wheelchairs will be disinfected when checked out by guest and when returned.

To ensure we maintain appropriate social distancing your tickets are only valid during your selected timed entry.

No, the ticket is for your entry time only. You can visit the Museum galleries for as long as you desire, within operating hours. We recommend between 1 and a half hours to 2 hours to enjoy our Galleries.

Museum tickets are for one day only. If you wish to return for a second day, the price of your Museum admission ticket can be applied to a membership which will give you unlimited access for a full year. Visit our Membership page for additional details!

The RCA Studio B tour starts at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Look for a sign that reads “Studio B Tour Meets Here” located in the conservatory, next to the front doors. Please be in this area no later than 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time. If you miss the tour, we cannot guarantee room on another tour and you forfeit your non-refundable seat. The tour guide will show you to the shuttle that will take you to the studio.

The Hatch Show Print tour begins in the Rep. John Lewis Way S lobby, located in front of the Hatch Show Print Retail Store. Please be in this area no later than 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time. If you miss the tour, we cannot guarantee room on another tour and you forfeit your non-refundable seat.

During busier days, you may experience a line. However, they do move much quicker than other large museums. To save time and bypass the Box Office, you can plan ahead and purchase your ticket package online. Select the “E-Ticket” option when checking out (and not “Will Call”). Be sure to print your document with the barcode and bring it with you. You will then be able to go straight to the elevators to enter the Museum galleries. Our busiest hours are usually 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. So, you may want to try to plan accordingly.

There are family restrooms located in the Taylor Swift Education Center inside the museum, that offer additional privacy if needed. All our restrooms are equipped with changing stations.

Sure! However, we do recommend using an umbrella stroller. Larger strollers can sometimes hinder maneuvering through the galleries if crowded. Unfortunately, we cannot allow large strollers on the Studio B tour. This is due to the limited space on the bus.

The Museum abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and allows only service animals—that is, animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability. The Museum does not allow emotional support animals or household pets.

There are benches located throughout the Museum.

There is always something new to see with each visit! With having over 2 million artifacts in our collection, we continuously update and refresh our permanent exhibits as well as curate exhibits that may be here for 6 months or 2 years.

Yes. Please call us at 615-416-2001, or visit the Guest Services desk and we will check for your item.

Yes! The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum is home to the Red Onion. Please note, food and drinks are not allowed in the Museum galleries. Exceptions can be made for small sealable water bottles.

We encourage you to take all the photographs that you’d like as long as they are for personal use, but in order to preserve our artifacts, we ask that you turn the flash off. All videos and music in the Museum are copyrighted, therefore videography is not allowed. This also applies during tours of Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print.

Like other museums, we do not allow food or beverages into the galleries. We will allow water bottles as long as they are in a sealable container.

To ensure the safety of our Staff Members, items cannot be checked or stored during your visit.

Bags must be no larger than a standard backpack. Luggage/Camping size backpacks are not prohibited.

The Museum reserves the right to inspect any parcel brought into the premises; your bags may be subject to a bag check conducted by a member of Museum security.

For luggage stowing options, contact one of the options below:

Unfortunately, we are not able to appraise instruments or artifacts. The American Society of Appraisers can help you find someone to authenticate your piece.

No. The Hall Of Fame Rotunda is the special place where only the Hall of Fame Members are honored. The Museum itself is designed to tell the chronological story of country music from our folk roots to the present day. So a vast variety of artists, even from a variety of genres of music, are represented.

Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is solely the prerogative of the Country Music Association. New members, elected annually by an anonymous panel of industry leaders chosen by the CMA, are formally inducted in special, invitation-only ceremonies held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization and does not participate in the election. Through an agreement with the CMA, the Museum exhibits the bronze plaques commemorating membership in a space and fashion befitting this great honor.

Yes, gift certificates can be purchased on site or over the phone with our office at 615-416-2001. Our staff is in the office, 7 days a week, from 9-5 pm CDT/CST.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is located in the Downtown district in the city of Nashville. We are within walking distance of the Ryman Auditorium, the Johnny Cash Museum, Walk of Fame Park and Broadway, which is where many restaurants and live music venues are located. The Nashville Convention & Visitor Corp has a website with information about all events and attractions in the city: www.visitmusiccity.com.

We value our volunteers and couldn’t accomplish all that we do without them! We are always looking for friendly faces to join our volunteer team. Please visit our Volunteer page for more information.

Give Us Your Feedback

In the spirit of continuous improvement and collaboration, we encourage you to tell us about your experience. Please share your feedback with a member of our guest relations team on-site, send us an email (info@countrymusichalloffame.org), or call us at 615-416-2001.

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