Known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” Ryman Auditorium helped transform Nashville into a legendary music destination. Since 1892, the venue has hosted notable stars such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Van Morrison, and Minnie Pearl. Today, visitors can tour the 2,362-seat auditorium, visit the museum, or catch a live show.
The Basics
Travelers can visit independently or on a Nashville tour. Ride a hop-on hop-off trolley with flexible start times throughout the day and stop here for a self-guided tour to explore on your own, or take a guided backstage tour to see dressing rooms that have hosted countless stars, peruse the music venue’s exhibits and multimedia presentations, and check out an array of historic memorabilia and artifacts. Music history buffs can visit the auditorium on a walking tour of downtown Nashville, during which a tour guide tells tells stories of the city’s must-see sites. Foodies can stop by the Ryman on a culinary tour and sample local cuisine along the way, or, for a special treat, combine a visit with an evening tour of Nashville featuring live music and a traditional barbecue dinner.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Café Lula, the Ryman’s on-site dining venue, serves up local food and drinks from 9am to 8pm every day, with extended hours for concerts and events.
- Cameras are permitted during daytime tours but are not allowed backstage.
- There are no coat check facilities.
- The Ryman provides wheelchair escorts during nighttime events for guests with limited mobility. Accessible ticket options are available.
How to Get There
The Ryman is centrally located in the heart of downtown Nashville, at the junction of Broadway and Fourth Avenue. The entrance is located on the Fourth Avenue side of the building. The site does not have a dedicated public parking lot.
When to Get There
The Ryman Auditorium and museum are open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Tours are offered daily between 9am and 4pm. The most popular time to visit is from April through October, when warm weather brings Music City to life. Winter is the city’s low season, when visitors may find cheaper prices.
Not Just for Country Music
Although it’s the original home of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry country music concerts, the Ryman stage has seen superstars of every genre. Artists such as Paul Simon, the Pixies, MGMT, and even Houdini have performed here, in addition to comedians Joe Rogan and Bill Burr.
