NMAAM, opened in 2021 in a purpose-built space at 5th and Broadway, tells the story of more than fifty genres of American music with deep roots in the Black experience — blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, soul, country, rock and roll. The museum is heavy on interactives: visitors can record their own gospel choir contribution, conduct a jazz combo, or freestyle in a hip-hop booth, with all the recordings emailed home at the end.
The collection of artefacts is strong on the early jazz and Motown periods. Allow two hours; an extra half-hour if you intend to use most of the recording stations. The museum sits directly opposite the Bridgestone Arena and is an easy combination with a downtown walking visit.