Visitor Guide

The Lower Level (Level Zero) is home to the Ahmet Ertegun Main Exhibit Hall, where the below exhibits and features can be accessed. Our Box Office, Member Services and Commemorative Photos are also located on Level Zero.

Hall of Fame Inductees 

Open now, you'll see personal items from the Class of 2017, including Joan Baez, ELO, Journey, Pearl Jam, Nile Rodgers, Tupac Shakur and Yes. 

• Go inside the exhibit

Stewart Gallery

The Roots of Rock: Blues, Gospel, R&B, Country, Bluegrass and Folk

• Go inside the exhibit

Elvis

An exhibit and exclusive film (14 minutes) created in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Baker Gallery: Special Exhibitions

The Summer of Love Turns 50

• Go inside the exhibit

Cities and Sounds

City Scenes, the Fifties, Soul and Heavy Metal

• Go inside the exhibit

Legends of Rock and Roll

Featuring artifacts from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Blondie, the Doors, U2, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, the Who, the Supremes, Guns N’ Roses and others.

Forest City/RMS Theater

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand (30 minutes).

Right Here, Right Now

How has the evolution of rock and roll shaped today's performers? We explore rock's impact on the next generation of artists by taking visitors on an intimate journey into the stories of popular acts from today, including Sia, Bruno Mars, The Struts and others. 

• Go inside the exhibit

The Music of Cleveland and the Midwest

Cleveland earned its place on the rock and roll map in the early '50s when local deejay Alan Freed was the first to call the R&B music he was playing on his nightly radio show “rock and roll.” From then on, the Midwest has played a crucial role in rock's expansion across the country and generations. 

• Go inside the exhibit

special exhibit: mellencamp

MELLENCAMP tells story of a complex artist who forged his own path – transforming from manager-named “Johnny Cougar” to self-possessed John Mellencamp, a music and visual artist, a champion of heartland values, and an advocate for American farmers. ​

• Go inside the exhibit

other highlights:

  • The Early Influences
The artists who are the roots to the music we celebrate.

  • The Beat Goes On
Discover which artists inspired your favorite Inductee!

  • Don’t Knock the Rock
Protests Against Rock and Roll.

  • On the Air: Rock and Roll Radio
The radio personalities that delivered the music.

  • Rapper’s Delight
The Story of Hip-Hop.

With direct access to our plaza, Level One is where our Info kiosk and group check-in resides. You can also find on this level:

• Backstage Stories

• The Rock Hall Store

• All Access Cafe

Shop our exclusive Hall of Fame merchandise and a wide selection of music, books and memorabilia. You can also pick up Rock Hall gift certificates at the store (or by calling (216) 515-1292). Members receive a 10% discount. You can also shop online. 

Level Two features interactive opportunities for visitors, including the Experience the Music soundbooths where you can listen to different One Hit Wonders spanning a number of genres. Don't forget to tag the Rock Hall @rockhall on Twitter and Instagram if you take a picture with one of our iconic portraits on L2. 

Architects of Rock and Roll

Featuring Les Paul, Alan Freed and Sam Phillips.

Video Killed the Radio Star - Multimedia Exhibit

(11 minutes) Advisory – Contains Mature Themes.

Experience the Music

Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and One Hit Wonders.

Other highlights:

  • Leo Mintz Gallery
Rock and Roll and the Evolution of Audio Technology.

  • Selling the Sound
Indie Labels from Wax to .Wav.

  • The Life and Music of Johnny Cash

You'll find unique installations on the third floor that spotlight inductees, including Chuck Berry and the Beastie Boys. We also share some treasures from our Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and have handwritten lyrics from select artists lining the walls. See how your favorite songwriters brainstormed and wrote down the songs that changed our culture.

The Hall of Fame gallery and theater is not currently available to visitors. The Hall of Fame experience is now available on Level 0. 

• Rolling Stone / 50 Years - on Levels 4, 5 and 6
In November of 1967, new magazine Rolling Stone burst onto the scene in San Francisco. 50 years later, we celebrate its cultural impact in a special exhibition, Rolling Stone / 50 Years. 

• Go inside the exhibit

• Special Film: U2 3D in Foster Theater
U2 3D is a unique cinematic experience that puts viewers within the pulsing energy of a stadium concert given by the world's most popular band. Marrying innovative digital 3D imagery and 5.1 Surround Sound with the excitement of live concert footage from their Vertigo tour, the film creates an immersive theatrical experience unlike any 3D or concert film that has come before. 

Film showing in Foster Theater January 30 - July 31. Free with general admission! Visit our Onstage calendar to see your daily showtime.
Listed showtimes are subject to change, please check showtimes upon arrival. Film runtime is 85 minutes. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Alan Freed Radio Studio - Sirius XM

Get a look inside our Alan Freed Radio Studio, where our partners at SiriusXM are broadcasting weekly on Classic Vinyl, Classic Rewind and Deep Tracks!

Rolling Stone / 50 Years

On Levels 4, 5 and 6
In November of 1967, new magazine Rolling Stone burst onto the scene in San Francisco. 50 years later, we celebrate its cultural impact in a special exhibition, Rolling Stone / 50 Years. 

• Go inside the exhibit