Ryman Auditorium

Overview

Known as the "Mother Church of Country Music," the Ryman Auditorium is a 2,362-seat venue that served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. Its exposed brick walls and stained-glass windows, remnants of its original 1892 life as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, give it an acoustics quality that artists consistently rank among the world's finest.

Highlights

• Self-guided daytime tour: Walk the pews, stand on the legendary stage, and record a song in a replica dressing room.
• Backstage pass upgrade: Access the original dressing rooms where Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams prepared to perform.
• Evening concerts: The Ryman still hosts 200+ shows a year across genres—check the calendar.

History

Captain Tom Ryman, a riverboat magnate, funded the tabernacle in 1892 after a revival meeting conversion. After his death in 1904, the venue was renamed in his honour. It fell into disrepair in the 1970s but was restored and reopened in 1994.

Visitor Tips

• Photography: The stained-glass windows create beautiful light in the morning.
• Seating: The original oak pews are famously unforgiving—bring a cushion for evening shows.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours for the tour.