Until one-third of the Nashville Farmers’ Market was cleared to make way for the new Tennessee State Museum, some less culturally savvy folks probably didn’t even realize the original museum existed. The new location won’t open until 2018, but the current museum is just a few blocks away. With inconspicuous entry through a basement door on Deaderick Street, the museum is an understated ode to Tennessee’s storied history. The museum thoroughly explores Tennessee’s timeline across three floors of endless artifacts, historical perspectives and modern interpretations. And don’t worry if that all sounds like too much to absorb in a single trip; the museum is entirely free to the public, allowing for guilt-free repeat visits throughout the year. Whether you swing by for the latest touring exhibit or to tackle our state’s history in a single pass, the Tennessee State Museum is one of our finest historical resources. MATT FOX
Best Free Museum
Tennessee State Museum
