Ryman Auditorium

General information

Destination	Category
Nashville, United States	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

The Ryman Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark and a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Nashville. This historic building was home to the Grand Ole Opry House during country music’s formative years and this fascinating guided tour will provide you with plenty of interesting details about the home of country music.

The building was first completed in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle as commissioned by riverboat Captain Thomas Green Ryman, a newly converted southern evangelist and lovingly called the ''Mother Church'' of country music. The Ryman has earned its mark in history by hosting the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974.

In this self-guided tour you will get a privileged behind the scenes look around this iconic music venue and museum. Exhibits feature artefacts from the Ryman's Opry years including the dress Dolly Parton wore the night she became an official cast member, Hank Williams' suit and the first Nudie suit ever worn on the Opry by Little Jimmy Dickens. The Johnny and June at the Ryman display include rare photos and footage from the Johnny Cash Show along with June Carter's autoharp and Johnny’s knee-high black boots.

No visit to the Ryman would be complete without you having your picture taken centre stage on the planks graced by legends from Houdini and Hank Williams to Bob Hope and Bruce Springsteen. For an extra price visit the Ryman’s own recording studio and cut your own CD, choose from a selection of classic songs or bring your own original composition. Visit the Hatch Show Print Gallery with its autographed collection of posters from Aretha Franklin to Zac Brown. A must-see for all fans of country and western music.

Meeting/pick-up point: 116 5th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219.
Start or opening time: 9am.
End or closing time: 4pm.