American Banjo Museum
American Banjo Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
A National Treasure in downtown Oklahoma City. The American Banjo Museum contains over 300 banjos on display and is the only museum of its type dedicated to preserving and promoting the music and heritage of America's native musical instrument - the banjo. An interpretive exhibit tells the evolution of the banjo from its humble roots in American slavery, to bluegrass, to folk and world music.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
207 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
63
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
1
David W
Tulsa, OK570 contributions
Feb 2023
I first visited the American Banjo Museum when it was located in Guthrie, Oklahoma. It was really good then. It was then moved to Bricktown in Oklahoma City. I had dinner at the Bricktown Brewery yesterday, and the move from Guthrie to OKC put the "new" location just a few "doors" away from each other. I am truly glad I ventured into their current location yesterday. The move to the new location was truly positive. Nothing against Guthrie (the original State Capitol of Oklahoma fyi), but the current location is great and truly in a major tourist area of OKC. The current location is beautiful and extremely well laid out. I loved everything about my visit. Personally, I have worked in the music business my entire life, and the exhibits definitely highlight the best of the best in banjo pickin.' I have had the privilege of knowing and working with many of the great banjo players who are represented at the museum. The staff was great, friendly. and extremely knowledgeable. I was impressed. The American Banjo Museum in Bricktown is definitely worth visiting!
Written February 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teammilitello
Des Moines, IA698 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We explored twelve spots this week in OKC, but my husband & I loved this museum the most. Great videos, incredible pieces of art on each banjo, and friendly staff. If you love all-things-Americana, you’ve got to stop here.
Written March 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AnotherHoustonian
Orlando, FL187 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
A hidden gem! We loved this place. It goes into the history of the banjo, which is incredibly interesting and amazing. We learned everything from the earliest banjos , through jazz, up through bluegrass. I hadn’t really thought much about the banjo and popped into this place on a whim. It was incredible!! Super interesting. The staff knows everything and I bet you can’t come up with a question they can’t answer. I think the managers name is Marjorie and her enthusiasm is infectious. This museum was so engaging that we went home and bought a student banjo. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Written November 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
maapar
Mount Pleasant, SC826 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Great little museum! Tells history of banjos and how they figured in bluegrass and folk music. The backs of the instruments are like art. They were elaborately done especially in the 1920’s. Very fun museum
Written November 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rambling RV Rat
47 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Amazing collection of banjos, and I was so excited that it included some from my mom's ancestor! Great history lesson on the roots and progression of the instrument and music. The detailed inlaid and carvings on some of these instruments make them true works of art. Pre-Covid, banjo players would come to the museum to play for patrons in a small, intimate setting (how I wish for those days).
Written October 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
krogersku
Johnston, IA555 contributions
Dec 2020
Stopped here while traveling across Oklahoma on Route 66. If you are doing this make sure you get an Oklahoma Route 66 travel passport and get your passport stamped. We really enjoyed this museum. The artwork on the banjos is beautiful. Took about an hour to go through the museum which is located in the Bricktown area of OKC. Short walk to the Bricktown water taxi and Chickasaw Stadium. Really nice stop and definitely worth a visit.
Written December 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jane S
Olympia, WA361 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
An extensive collection of banjos but what most interested me was the history of banjo music - from minstrel to vaudeville to folk to jazz to.... And you MUST visit on the first Wednesday of the month for a free banjo concert from 12-1pm. Bring your bag lunch. It is NOT to be missed
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kevin B
Belleville, Canada118 contributions
Feb 2020
I stopped by here last week and I was surprised at the number of banjos they had there, a person can learn a lot here. They even have a learning lounge where people can play a couple different ones. I will certainly go back and spend more time.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rhowell92
Edmond, OK333 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
I took our senior adult Sunday school class there today. They did a group presentation and then a self guided tour. It’s really amazing the banjos on display. You don’t have to be a musician to enjoy. The highlight was a concert and comedy routine by Lucas Ross upstairs. Don’t miss his act! Call ahead and find out when he is performing. Old building in brick town on the outside, but thoroughly modern inside.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jane Doe
Philadelphia, PA21 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
I visited here during my trip to OKC. I don’t play the banjo, or know much about it’s history. But this museum was so cool! It takes you on a full tour of the banjo’s history, up to modern day with people like Jim Henson and Steve Martin, etc. I loved that they let you play real banjos at the end, with video lessons. I actually learned a little song and I was only there for maybe 10 mins.
Written May 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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American Banjo Museum (Oklahoma City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about American Banjo Museum
- American Banjo Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Tue - Sat 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking American Banjo Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 American Banjo Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near American Banjo Museum:
- (0.11 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oklahoma City Dwtn - Bricktown, an IHG Hotel
- (0.08 mi) Renaissance Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Wyndham Grand Oklahoma City Downtown
- (0.21 mi) The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City
- (0.23 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Oklahoma City-Bricktown
- Restaurants near American Banjo Museum:
- (0.02 mi) Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant
- (0.03 mi) Henry Hudson's Public House
- (0.04 mi) Rendezvous Pizza
- (0.04 mi) Bricktown Brewery Restaurant
- (0.04 mi) The Melting Pot