The Ryman Auditorium stands at 116 Fifth Avenue North in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and is widely regarded as the most storied concert venue in country music history. Built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle by riverboat captain Thomas Ryman, the redbrick Gothic-influenced building served as a religious gathering hall before evolving into one of Nashville's premier entertainment destinations. It was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, during which Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and virtually every major country music artist performed from its stage. The auditorium's interior preserves its original church pew seating for 2,300 and its stained-glass windows, creating remarkable acoustics praised by performers and engineers alike. The reverberant, warm sound has attracted artists across genres — from opera singers to bluegrass acts to rock bands — who cite the Ryman as among their favorite rooms in which to perform. Daytime self-guided tours run from 9 AM to 4 PM and include access to the main floor, the original church pews, the backstage corridor, and a heritage exhibit covering the auditorium's history through photographs, costumes, and instruments. A film titled Soul of Nashville, shown in the auditorium, provides narrative context. Visitors can stand on the stage and have photos taken at the historic microphone — a popular stop. The backstage-and-stage-access upgrade adds dressing rooms and technical areas used by contemporary performers. Evening concert events sell out regularly, particularly for major touring artists and Opry performances. Sight lines from the pew seating are uniformly excellent; even back-row positions feel intimate due to the compact proportions of the room.
Good to know
- Hours
- Self-guided tours: daily 9 AM–4 PM; evening concert schedule varies by performance
- Best time
- Daytime for tours; check ryman.com for concert lineup — many sell out months in advance
Location
116 Fifth Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
36.1614, -86.7783 View on map
Highlights
- Original 1892 church pew seating and stained-glass windows preserved inside an active, world-class concert venue
- Stage where the Grand Ole Opry ran continuously from 1943 to 1974, hosted by nearly every country music legend
- Exceptional natural acoustics praised as among the finest of any mid-size venue in the United States
- Daytime self-guided tour with stage access, backstage corridor, and heritage photography and costume exhibit
- Active concert calendar spanning country, bluegrass, folk, rock, and comedy across the full calendar year
Tips for visiting
- Check ryman.com for the concert schedule; major shows sell out 2 to 4 months in advance and cannot be reliably obtained at the door
- The backstage tour upgrade ($37.50 USD) is worth taking for visitors interested in production history and artist dressing rooms
- Original pew seating has no cushioning — bring a small seat pad for multi-hour concerts
- Daytime tour tickets can usually be purchased on arrival without pre-booking on most weekday mornings
- Lower Broadway's honky-tonks are a 3-minute walk south — pair a daytime Ryman tour with an evening of Broadway music exploration
When to visit
Daytime tours are best mid-week from Tuesday through Thursday when tour groups are smaller. For concerts, Friday and Saturday shows typically feature the most complete artist lineups. Book headlining concert tickets at least two months in advance.
Accessibility
The Ryman Auditorium is accessible to wheelchair users via the entrance on 5th Avenue North. Accessible seating is designated in the main floor section for both tours and concerts. Elevators serve all public levels. Hearing loop systems and assisted-listening devices are available for concerts and can be requested at the box office.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the Ryman daytime tour take?
The self-guided tour typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Adding the backstage-and-stage-access upgrade extends the visit to approximately 2 hours.
Can visitors sit in the original church pews during the tour?
Yes. Daytime tour visitors are welcome to sit in the original pews, walk the main floor, and have photos taken on the historic stage at the signature microphone position.
Is photography allowed at the Ryman Auditorium?
Photography is permitted throughout the daytime tour, including on stage and in the heritage exhibit areas. Concert photography policies vary by performer — flash and professional cameras are typically restricted during shows.