Free Museums in Nashville

"Known for hosting a spectacular array of fine art from all corners and regions of the world, the Frist has become a popular destination for anybody in the vicinity of downtown Nashville. Even if you’ve been there before, there’s always something new to see since they update their galleries every 6 to 8 weeks. The beautiful art deco building is something to behold; we promise if you venture inside, you won’t forget the breathtaking works of art on display!"

"Since 2001, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts has been proudly showcasing works of visual art. New pieces come through the gallery every six to eight weeks, ensuring that those interested in supporting the Nashville art community are regularly exposed to something fresh. In addition to the various exhibits, the Frist Center also has the Martin ArtQuest Gallery, an interactive art area geared toward children."

"The Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the Athenian original, can be found at Centennial Park. The historical monument was originally built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition. Today, The Parthenon serves as one of Nashville’s art museums featuring 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists."

"The Parthenon is considered as a centerpiece in Nashville's Centennial Park. It's a 42ft tall full scale replica of the Greek Parthenon in Athens. It was built in 1897 for that year's Tennessee Exposition."

"Hands-on exhibits are always great for families, and Nashville's Adventure Science Center has them in spades. The museum features over 150 exhibits exploring everything from biology to environmental science to physics and beyond, and space lovers can check out the Sudekum Planetarium's 63-foot dome theater. Older visitors get the run of the museum in "Way Late Play Dates," occasional 21-and-up events featuring local food, drinks and themed programming."

"From outer space to tiny atoms, the Adventure Science Center showcases interactive learning experience and the wonders of science. Guests can experience simulated weightlessness and fly like an astronaut in Space Chase. Or they can check out the Virtual Reality Studio to see dinosaurs that once roamed our planet up close."

"George Jones was a musician with more country songs on the Billboard charts than any other country artist in history, but he was also famous for his crazy antics. One famous story involves him pulling up onto the sidewalk at the Nashville airport and leaving a note on the windshield that read “heavily under the influence of cocaine,” which also let readers know he’d be back in a couple of days. The story says that the car was still there running when he returned a few days later."

"Immerse yourself in George Jones’s life and legacy when you visit his museum on 2nd Avenue just north of Broadway. Throughout his career, Jones had more songs on the Billboard chart and more Top 40 songs than any other country music star in history. The museum is a tribute to the Texas-born country singer-songwriter who took the nation by storm in the 1960s and whose influence is still felt today amongst the country music faithful."

"It also serves as a smokehouse with live music and museum – all set on two floors on 2nd Avenue. The bar overlooks Cumberland River and downtown skyline, surrounded by Nashville’s Southern charm. During CMA Festival, this bar overlooks the Riverfront stage."

"With 3,000 square feet of space, The Rymer Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery located in Nashville’s art district, Fifth Avenue of the Arts. The gallery is dedicated to showcasing art in many different forms, including paintings, sculptures, and statues. In cooperation with The Nashville Art Crawl, The Rymer Gallery hosts as many as 2,500 guests on the first Saturday of every month, when art collectors gather to admire the works curated for the district’s galleries."

"The gallery at Lipscomb University is curated by the art department faculty, hosting exhibitions each semester. The space offers students a place to study and develop their knowledge of a broad range of art works. Throughout the year Lipscomb welcomes nationally and regionally known artists for guest lectures surrounding the exhibitions."

"The Rymer Gallery is modern art gallery that promotes the artwork of concurrent generation. The gallery is committed to showcasing artists from a diverse genre of experience and media. In its massive 3,000 square feet location it has an artist studio and annex gallery."

"The Carl Van Vechten and Aaron Douglas galleries maintain a permanent collection with over 4,000 works by renown artists including Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, and Diego Rivera. The University also houses African, Oceanic, and Asian art in their permanent and traveling exhibitions. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; extended on Thurs-Fri until 7 p.m."

"Dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee's railroad heritage, the Tennessee Central Railway Museum invites visitors to ride one of their historic passenger trains and experience the joys of rail travel. With a growing collection of historic equipment, theTCRM is much more than a static museum. Their specialty is operating historic trains, providing a unique opportunity to ride a 1950's vintage train through beautiful Middle Tennessee."

"The Tennessee Central Railway Museum has been running since 1989. Its current Middle Tennessee train ride destinations include Lebanon, Watertown, Cookeville and Monterey. Enjoy a preserved collection of passenger cars, cabooses, freight cars and locomotives."

"The Tennessee Central Railway Museum is not a typical museum. Take a ride and watch Tennessee move by past your wide window. Relax and ride through the scenic views and get an idea of the beauty of Tennessee."

"Vanderbilt University's Dyer Observatory has been operational since 1953, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can be found at the fringe of Radnor Lake state park. With a strong focus on community education, the observatory hosts events throughout the year, such as open houses, science camps for kids, teacher workshops and telescope viewing nights; visitors can also stop by during the week for self-guided tours of the Star Chamber. But celestial bodies through the lens aren't the only stars you might see at Dyer; for six shows each summer, the widely famed Bluebird Café – where musicians including Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift launched their careers – brings "Bluebird on the Mountain" concerts to the observatory.1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood, +1 615 373 4897, dyer.vanderbilt.edu."

"If you’ve ever been curious about space, stars, planets, and moons, the best place to go is Dyer Observatory at Vanderbilt University. On select days throughout the year, the observatory offers free tours and Open House Days led by the university’s astronomers. While the events are free, you’ll need to do a bit of planning before your visit as tickets/reservations are required."

"It’s easy to spot the large white dome of the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. It’s one of the biggest astronomy centers in Tennessee, and it stands on top of a large hill that provides clear, unobstructed views of the night sky. Tours and telescopes are open to the public if you want to learn a few constellations while you’re in Nashville."

"Established in 1966, The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee’s sports heritage. With vintage uniforms and artifacts, the museum honors athletes, coaches, sportswriters, and administrators who have made an impact on Tennessee sports history. The Hall is located in Bridgestone Arena where the Nashville Predators hockey team plays."

"Many award-winning athletes have come out of Tennessee, including Daren Bates, Reggie Grimes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates them all, and it’s conveniently located in downtown Nashville. Browse the displays and exhibits that showcase the history of the state’s finest sportsmen."

"The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame connects athletes, coaches and fans through exhibits that honor accomplishments on and off the field. Tickets are under $5 for adults, so this is a great place for a cheap day out!"

"Once Upon A Time In France started in 2016 when musician/sound engineer Melvil Arnt left France to start a whole new life in Music City. Born and raised in Paris where he worked in cocktail bars and several restaurants, his passion for wine and French cuisine led him to launch the project of opening what was lacking the most in Nashville, a true wine bar. On the contrary of opening a wine bar or a classic restaurant, they opened what’s called the friendliest, delicious and affordable, staple of the French culture, A Bistro."

"Father and son Laurent Champonnois and Melvil Arnt opened the no-reservations-accepted chic 1920s-inspired French bistro on Gallatin Avenue back in late 2019, and the 45-seat restaurant was a fast favorite for date nights among Nashville locals. Whether the night calls for escargot, foie gras, or beef bourguignon, Once Upon a Time in France serves up romantic vibes and a wallet-friendly wine list as an added bonus."

"Walking from the parking lot to the restaurant you may do a double take. In a hot second, you'll be transported from Nashville to Paris. Father-son duo Melvil Arnt and Laurent Champonnois combined their life-long desires to open a wine bar and a restaurant to create this French bistro."

"When East Nashville institution Marche fell victim to the 2020 tornado that swept through Five Points, fans of the morning meal were disappointed because that was one of the best spots in town to linger over a casual brunch. Fortunately, chef/owner Margot McCormack expanded the hours at her eponymous flagship restaurant around the corner and added a weekend brunch. While the menu changes frequently based on the seasons and freshest ingredients, you can expect fantastic breakfast cocktails and coffee service, sticky pastries, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables showcased in parfaits and bowls, and classic bistro fare for main courses.How to book: Grab an inside or patio table via Resy."

"Chef Margot McCormack’s East Nashville daytime cafe Marche merged with Margot during the pandemic — so try sneaking in for a standout weekday morning meal. Carb-filled favorites include the fresh-baked breads and pastries, whatever tartine is in season, plus sweet or savory crepes. And one must occasionally splurge on the chocolate croissant French toast."

"401 Union Street, Nashville, TN 37129 • (615) 988-7333 Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, 3 p.m."

"Situated a little away from the busy downtown area, this elegant restaurant offers upscale American comfort food. The simple exterior does not do justice to the culinary delights that await you. Sunday brunch here is a delight with omelets, waffles, crab bisque, biscuits, a chocolate fountain, and much more."

"From the beautiful historic mansion to the southern staples, Mere Bulles provides a truly picturesque setting for Sunday brunch. Located in Maryland Farms, this historic restaurant is ideal for outdoor dining, private events and special occasions."

"At the Hamilton Creek Recreation Area, you find another beach in Nashville. You find here a sandy beach that is very pretty!. Furthermore, there is a lot of grass, which makes it a great place to sit down!"

"This little gem is tucked away near the Old Hickory Lock and Dam. It is quite a bit less busy than the beaches of Percy Priest Lake, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful. Old Hickory Lake is a frequent destination for boaters, fishers, and any other water-based activity."

"Another one of the best beaches in Nashville is Old Hickory Beach. Old Hickory Beach is a beach that you can find at Old Hickory Lake. And you find here a sandy beach where swimming is possible!"