Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Charter Bus to Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman was a gospel tabernacle before becoming the Grand Ole Opry's home 1943–1974 — Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Elvis all played its curved wooden pews. Daytime self-guided tours cover the stage, backstage exhibits and a hologram intro film; evening shows still sell out for its near-perfect acoustics.

116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 Music-history tour + evening shows — the Mother Church of Country Music.

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Plan your visit

Suggested time

1.5–2 hours tour; 2.5 for a show

Best time

Morning tour + matinee, or an evening show

Official website

www.ryman.com ↗

Must-see spots

Opry circle on stage
Stained-glass windows
Backstage exhibits
Wooden pew acoustics

Suggested itinerary · Music history day

Know before you go

Stand on the Opry circle — the actual oak circle from the old Opry stage, transplanted center-stage.
Backstage exhibits show original costumes, posters and dressing-room relics.
The pew acoustics are why it's called the 'Carnegie Hall of the South' — any show sounds different here.

Tips for group trips

Self-guided tours ~$30 run 9am–4pm; the backstage tour add-on is worth it for groups.
Coach drop on 5th Ave N; the venue sits one block off Broadway.
Evening concerts are general admission pews — group blocks available through the box office.