Music fans of all kinds will enjoy this state-of-the-art tribute to all things country music. But really, fans of culture, history, entertainment, and everything in between are going to have a good time here. The 350,000-square-foot space is not about standing around and reading, like some music museums I’ve been to (ahem, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, ahem). Exhibits offer a fun, informative and, sometimes, cheesy looks back at country music, from its 19th century folk roots, to more current iterations of the genre, and many are a heckuva a lot of fun, like “Outlaws & Armadillos: Country's Roaring [‘]70s” spotlighting Willie and Waylon, and “Inside Guy Clark's Workshop,” an insanely detailed recreation of the songwriter’s space. The names of these exhibits tell you exactly what they are. Many exhibits are outfitted archival video, artifacts, interactive touchscreens, original recordings, and better costume porn than any other museum in the U.S. (twinkly, sequined, feathered, fringed, leather, pleather, suede, or all of the above).

If you are a fan of '90s country music, you are in luck: there are some 20 minutes of Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, and Trisha Yearwood videos in the alcove and they play on a loop.

Other highlights include the super creepy sets from the original “Hee Haw,” Elvis’s gold-leafed Cadillac (a gift from Priscilla), and a sculpture made by Hank Williams that features taxidermied squirrels, which he shot himself, playing in a band. The Hall of Fame Rotunda, allows visitors to find out when their favorite musicians were inducted. (It took until 2004 to get Kris Kristofferson in? For shame, Music City!). Because the museum is such a vast repository, the core exhibit is continually being refreshed with different touchstones of bluegrass, country swing, rockabilly, Cajun, honky-tonk, and contemporary country music. So chances are, if you've been there before, you'll find something new on a return trip.

A note to parents: there are kid-friendly (and let’s not fool ourselves: adult-friendly) touches throughout. Be sure to stop at at the virtual badge station (near the entrance), where you can snap your picture and use your digital profile at all the interactive games and activities. These include a “Clueless”-style computer game where you can dress your own avatar in classic country music gear. Inside the museum is also the Taylor Swift Education Center, which includes 7,000 square feet of classrooms and a learning lab, so check out the calendar online to see if there’s anything your kids might want to do: They offer classes on everything from family songwriting to making clothespin airplanes.

There’s also an 800-seat theater that’s one of Nashville’s best-kept secrets for live music: the CMA Theater.

Important: If you want to arrange a visit to the old RCA recording studio, where Elvis and other greats laid down hits, you'll need to sign up here at the Hall of Fame. The studio itself is located in the Music Row area of Nashville; a shuttle transports visitors between it and the museum.