The Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum
5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the award-winning Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia tells the story of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions – the event in history scholars refer to as the “big bang” of country music – and their lasting impact on the music of today. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum explores how evolving sound technology shaped the success of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and highlights how this rich musical heritage still thrives in the Appalachian region and beyond. Through multiple theater experiences, interactive and stationary displays – along with a variety of educational programs, music performances, and community events – the exciting story of these recording sessions and their far-reaching influence comes alive. Rotating exhibitions from guest curators and other institutions, including the Smithsonian, are featured throughout the year in the Special Exhibits Gallery. The museum also houses a col
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Sue ESchererville, Indiana91 contributionsEnjoyed our visit hereThis was a very nice museum. There were a few interactive things to do there also. There were display cases of all kinds of instruments. There is a recording studio where you can sing a song and it plays it back for you. Very fun. There were several sections that you could walk into and see a short film on various topics of country music.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 September 2023
- tleeEvansHouston, Texas951 contributionsMust visitGreat information found in this museum. Very well laid out exhibits with great interactive ones as well. Museum staff very informative. The beginning movie is well done and the exhibit of the Circle be unbroken was touchingVisited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 5 October 2023
- suebg6234 contributionsA Bristol must-doWhat a fun and educational experience! We learned so much interesting information about the beginnings of county music. The interactive exhibits were especially fun. It was really cool recording my voice with the soundtrack of old songs. We spent a little over 3 hours there. I wish we could have stayed longer.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
309 reviews
Excellent
260
Very good
37
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
0
TheTravelFishes
New York136 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A really well curated museum experience. Beautiful entrance and worth a visit to learn about the history of country music. The film shown is very interesting as well.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suebg62
34 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
What a fun and educational experience! We learned so much interesting information about the beginnings of county music. The interactive exhibits were especially fun. It was really cool recording my voice with the soundtrack of old songs. We spent a little over 3 hours there. I wish we could have stayed longer.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tleeEvans
Houston, TX951 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Great information found in this museum. Very well laid out exhibits with great interactive ones as well. Museum staff very informative. The beginning movie is well done and the exhibit of the Circle be unbroken was touching
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue E
Schererville, IN91 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was a very nice museum. There were a few interactive things to do there also. There were display cases of all kinds of instruments. There is a recording studio where you can sing a song and it plays it back for you. Very fun. There were several sections that you could walk into and see a short film on various topics of country music.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan C.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH49 contributions
Aug 2023
If you really love early country music, this is for you. There was a lot of reading, which we didn’t take time to do. The introduction movie was the best part for me, narrated by John Carter Cash. There were very few artifacts. Lots if interactive video opportunities, those were ok. The pricing is good for what they have. It was very clean & shiny inside & out.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
Mechanicsville, VA417 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
We really enjoyed the history of country music and Bristol inside the walls of this facility. Interactive activities made it fun for all. Highly recommended.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emptynester40
Draper, VA197 contributions
Feb 2023
We went to see this museum because of the high ratings it received on this site. I'm so glad we did. It was an amazing experience and we learned so much. All I can say is if you're wondering whether or not to go, do it!
Written 11 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mailstop
Oak Ridge, TN343 contributions
Oct 2022
Quality of the recordings was very good - better than the CDs I have. Great coverage for those who haven't been exposed to this old music and are interested in music history, as well as music's place in history. Need 11/2 to 2 hours to cover it well.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ddenne
San Francisco, CA86 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
Immersive and comprehensive exhibits really bring alive what happened in Bristol and the Herculean efforts by a few people to bring together artists to define and establish country music.
We all came out with a great knowledge and appreciation for the technology that developed and added to the techniques that are unique to this area of the country and the people/artists who brought this music to life.
We all came out with a great knowledge and appreciation for the technology that developed and added to the techniques that are unique to this area of the country and the people/artists who brought this music to life.
Written 14 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelby B
Raleigh, NC297 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
This is a very informative and interactive museum. We had 2 14 year olds with us and they were captivated as well. An interesting story on how the music evolved with the roots in the Appalachian Mountains.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cost of adult admission
ripfortwo
Georgia44 contributions
I believe it was $13.00 each adult ticket.
What is cost of admission for adults?
Brad D
El Dorado Hills, CA237 contributions
Check their website - it's totally worth it. Great museum!
GloriaDianeHurd
Pulaski, VA2 contributions
Driving directions from pulaski va
TraceyC5
Florence, AL39 contributions
LOCATION
520 Birthplace of Country Music Way
Bristol, VA 24201
If you are unable to find this address in your GPS, use the old street address:
520 Cumberland Street, Bristol, VA 24201.
The museum is located at the corner of Cumberland and Moore streets in Historic Downtown Bristol, VA. Our phone number is 423-573-1927.
DIRECTIONS
From Knoxville: Travel on I-81 North towards Bristol. Take Virginia Exit 3 (I-381/Bristol). Merge onto I-381 South, which becomes Commonwealth Avenue (1.0 mile). Continue south on Commonwealth Avenue (1.0 mile). Turn left onto Cumberland Street (0.4 miles). The museum will be on your right at the corner of Cumberland and Moore streets.
From Roanoke: Travel on I-81 South towards Bristol. Take Virginia Exit 3 (I-381/Bristol). Merge onto I-381 South, which becomes Commonwealth Avenue (1.0 mile). Continue south on Commonwealth Avenue (1.0 mile). Turn left onto Cumberland Street (0.4 miles). The museum will be on your right at the corner of Cumberland and Moore streets.
From Asheville: Travel on I-26 West towards I-81 North. Merge onto I-81 North towards Bristol. Take Virginia Exit 3 (I-381 South/Bristol). Merge onto I-381 South, which becomes Commonwealth Avenue (1.0 mile). Continue south on Commonwealth Avenue (1.0 mile). Turn left onto Cumberland Street (0.4 miles). The museum will be on your right at the corner of Cumberland and Moore streets.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Birthplace of Country Music Museum
- The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 13:00 - 17:00
- Tue - Sat 10:00 - 18:00
- Hotels near The Birthplace of Country Music Museum:
- (0.03 mi) The Bristol Hotel
- (0.27 mi) The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- (0.18 mi) Flo's Hideaway
- (0.21 mi) Private Solar Hill, Downtown Bristol Cottage!
- (0.22 mi) Bordertown Loft Downtown/Coffee Bar/Music/HikeBike
- Restaurants near The Birthplace of Country Music Museum:
- (0.04 mi) Vivian's Table
- (0.07 mi) Blackbird Bakery
- (0.13 mi) 620 State Restaurant
- (0.13 mi) Burger Bar
- (0.09 mi) Bloom