George Thorogood was the best tour guide. Beautiful theater but George made it special.

Historic and iconic, the Ryman is my favorite music venue in Nashville. The daytime tour of the Ryman is a great option for tourists and locals alike to go behind the scenes and learn and see more of the history of the "mother church", as it's called. At night, there's no venue I'd rather choose for a concert! There's practically no bad seat in the house; unfortunately, there are a few seats directly behind pillars that do get sold as viable seats. Other than that, any seat in this rather intimate venue is worthwhile. I've had the privilege of seeing numerous shows here (Opry tapings, Carly Pearce, Brandon Lake, Vance Joy, etc.) and would recommend both ground and balcony level seating! Tonight, I saw the fifth annual Breland & Friends concert benefitting Oasis from balcony section 13, row A, seats 1-2 - and dare I say that's the best view I've had yet. Front row of the balcony seating, center stage, room to stretch legs - unbeatable! Service is solid at the Ryman - from ushers to guide you to your seats to bartenders serving food and drinks. Security tonight seemed patient and friendly, too, setting the stage for a great night ahead! read more

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When on Broadway, one doesn't typically notice the Ryman is just a half block back. Move towards the Hilton, look back and there it is and in a somewhat dominating way. This is the historic "Mother Church of Country Music," and is still famous for its near-perfect acoustics and iconic oak pews. Walking the permitter of the outside is impressive enough, including the statues of country music icons such as George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Charley Pride, and Little Jimmy Dickens. Inside, a statue of Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl sits in the lobby. These sculptures celebrate artists who shaped the venue's 130-year history. Then there were to huge performers buses within the small parking lot, a reminder that the Grand Ole Opry may have moved to the suburbs, but this place still shines as a performance venue. read more

I'm a musician and a former audio engineer, so I tend to be quite picky when it comes to concert venues. If this was just any old venue, I'd give it 3/5 stars, but it's not. Let me explain. Comfort - 1/5. The seats are packed very tightly. I'm 5' 10", and my knees drive into the backs of the seats in front of me in the balcony. You'll have to get very cozy with the people beside you if it's sold out. I always aim for an aisle seat if I can get one. Also, the floor seats have a very low rake, so it can sometimes be difficult to see. If you're short, don't sit in the seats right under the front of the balcony - the seats actually dip down a little bit. This venue is unique in that most of the best seats are actually in the balcony. As long as you aren't in the furthest sections against the walls, the balcony seating is all fantastic. Acoustics - ?/5. This is a difficult one. If you here to see bluegrass, americana, singer/songwriter, etc - 5/5 - perfection - you couldn't pick a better venue. If you're here to see rock or funk - 3/5 - the room is too boomy. PA - 2/5. For a venue as legendary as the Ryman, they should have a quality PA. Meyer, D&B, etc. They have a JBL Vertec rig, which is one of the harshest line arrays I've listened to (both here and in other venues). I've seen some acts with really good engineers that have been able to work around it with good results, but it's all too common that they can't and you end up with a mix that is harsh and boomy. The positioning is also wild. Depending on where you're sitting (floor seating especially) the sound can be coming from a different direction than the stage, which is really distracting. Lighting - 5/5. The lighting is great. You can always see to get around and there's nothing distracting about it. Every act I've seen has had good results. Artists - 5/5. So many really great musicians come through here. And there's variety as well. I've seen small up and coming acts that were great and legendary acts as well. The only challenge is that when it's a big act, it's really difficult to get tickets. Location - 5/5 History - 6/5. There's a lot to learn. Drinks - 4/5. Reasonable pricing compared to other venues of this caliber. So, I give it a 4/5 because of the history and the quality of talent. I just wish they had better seating and a better quality PA install. read more

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected! It was interesting without being overwhelming like the Country Music Hall of Fame. You start in a very cold room learning about the history of the auditorium before going on your self paced tour. I was surprised to see stuff from Jim Henson & Harry Houdini in one of the rooms. I liked the photo circle by the stairs that you could take pics and email to yourself. You get to go up the stairs to the stage and have your picture taken (included in the price of the ticket). Most places charge an extra $30+ for pictures, and they allowed us to do a group pic and an individual one. The auditorium seemed intimate where every seat was perfect. They have a large gift shop as well. read more

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My husband and I did the VIP tour with our guide Katie. We were the only two on this tour or normally 10. We started in the VIP lounge. I loved the memorabilia from Houdini's performance there. The dressing rooms were themed with tones of photos of Ryman guests. We had an enjoyable time. The tour includes a picture at the stage behind the mic. We received a free beverage and each of us got a print bill / sign (a poster with an artist name, date & time at the Ryman). We also got to keep our VIP lanyards. It was truly an enjoyable time with a look back in history. Will read more

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We did a self guided tour. I thought it was worth it, but I wish I planned ahead and had a guided tour to go deeper into the history. read more

Ryman Auditorium - View of the stage. - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I love the Ryman & have been to many shows here! The sound & views can be good, but you'll want to choose your seats wisely. The signature pews are unique, but it can get cramped & feel uncomfortable. The staff is always helpful & cheerful, so you feel welcome soon as you arrive. There are drinks & snacks, but grab food ahead of the show if you're hungry. read more

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A must visit in Nashville- we took a private tour that took us behind the scenes and learned the history of this historic building. Also sat in stage rooms for performers such as Jonny Cash, Ringo Starr and Ray Charles. read more

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I did not even know that this venue existed until coming here recently for a concert. In fact, I'm baffled that I never noticed it being right on Broadway! It is a small venue, but the kind of place that you can sit anywhere and have a great view. It probably was a renovated church, because that is exactly what it looks like on the inside and out. The seating is also pew-style, which I would not be a fan of in a crowded setting. It takes no time to get in and out, up and down, and to and from your seat in this place. It makes everything pretty convenient. read more

Ryman Auditorium - Queen Trisha. - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Historical theatre to take in an event. You can feel all the history the moment you walk into the building. It's a cross between a theatre and a museum. read more

This was a huge bucket list check off for me to go here!!! We got tickets to see Clint black. We loved the feeling of being in here and sitting in the pews. We couldn't find tickets together when we bought them. A extraordinary kind lady offered to change seats with me so my friend and I could sit next to each other. The experience here was magical!! read more

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It was a lot more fun than I expected! It was the night they honor Hank Williams when we went. It was great! read more

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I had a good time at Ryman. My friend and I were here for the Trisha Paytas concert and I was surprised with how nice it was. We bought our tickets a little later so we got upper level. We were worried that the view wouldn't be that great but we were wrong. We were able to see everything clearly. There really wasn't a bad seat in the house. My only beef with the venue is the seats are like church pews and they sit 5 people to a pew. It was a tight fit for 4 people but we managed. read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Consider this a love letter to my favorite music venue in Nashville (and maybe in the world). The Ryman is a magical place. I've had the privilege of seeing several shows here, and each visit reminds me how special this place really is, and how lucky we are to have it right down the street. The acoustics are obviously amazing, but it's the history that keeps me coming back again and again. It truly is hallowed ground, and you can practically feel the generations of musicians who performed here as you walk through the halls and to your seat in the pews. (Yes, you do sit in church pews, and yes, they're not the most comfortable seats in the world ... but many people stand during a live show anyways, so it should be a non-issue. After all, you're sitting on history! How cool is that?) There's really not a bad seat in the house, but I love sitting near the front if tickets are reasonably priced. If tickets are on the pricey side, the balcony is a great option with even better views than the floor. Another thing I love about The Ryman ... every artist I've seen perform here acknowledges how honored they are to play in such an important and revered venue. We even saw Phil Rosenthal here recently, who is not a musician, but was still so excited to be on stage at The Ryman and paid homage to its history. The attendants are friendly, and most will walk you right to your seat! Drinks are expensive, but no more so than other venues around town. And if you're feeling like the night is young when the show is over, you're right off of Broadway! read more

This review is for the tour only. I would love to see a concert here but the next best thing is a tour. The exterior architecture of the building--which was a church before it became a music venue--is very cool. It's clearly old inside and could probably use a little update, if it could be done without ruining its historic charm. The place is extremely small and intimate but don't let anyone tell you there are no bad seats. There are PLENTY of bad seats. If you are under the second level, or behind a post or, worst of all, under the second level AND behind a post. If that happens, you will be absolutely miserable. But still there are many excellent seats here. The guide recommended the balcony seating and I would agree with that, if you can't get seats in the first few rows on the bottom level. The tour is nice. You get to see a lot, including the dressing rooms, and you get a free souvenir photo included. You will also learn a lot about the history of the building and how the Opry show started here before abandoning downtown Nashville entirely. If you can't see a show here, I would recommend the tour. However, I wouldn't say taking the tour is essential. It is not as polished or entertaining a tour as the one for the Opry. read more

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Hands down my favorite intimate venue experience. I will say there are bad seats - the pole and a camera man could easily obstruct your view if you're on the left side on the bottom (avoid those) and it's often a tight cozy seating experience with strangers, but that's the beauty of the mother church! The stained glass windows, the balcony, the vibes, the acoustics - all unbeatable. They do offer concession items at quite a high price, but sometimes you have to treat yourself!! Staff is helpful to assist with finding seats as needed. read more

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I've gone to multiple shows at the Ryman now but I've never done the tour of the building. It's really cool to learn the history of the building in the city and how it became the landmark it is today! We went while Santa was there and we got free photos with him. There's so much to see as far as artifacts from artists who have performed there and even a little video of how the backstage is set up and put together before a show happens. I definitely recommend stopping by if you're in town and learn a bit more about Nashville while you're here. read more

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In the heart of Music City We attended the Paul Cauthen concert at the Ryman.  This review is more about the venue than the show.  What we will say about the concert was it was high energy, even though both the opener and the headliner started late.  Cauthen didn't go on to a packed house until 9:40 pm.  Maybe just getting older, but  if the artist won't publish when the show starts, appreciate when they respect the audience enough open at a reasonable time.  (talking to you Madonna). As most know the Ryman Auditorium is an iconic landmark venue with a rich history and a one of a kind character and ambiance.  It has an intimate setting, and above average acoustics.  Cauthen's bass drum and guitar were rattling the stained glass windows, and causing the seats to vibrate.  Even still, it was not uncomfortable to listen to or be in the room.  Ryman has a reverence about it which is not lost on the performers.  The joy and honor of artists performing at the "mother church" usually comes through in the show. Despite its age, the Ryman seems in good shape.  Well maintained, organized.  Security is modern and moves quickly.  There's always enough concessions open to minimize the crowding.  It is a former church, and the seats are church pews.  The old uncomfortable ones.  During popular shows, you are squeezed in and touching shoulder to shoulder with your neighbor. While service is good overall, this is the third instance where we have seen an usher (different each time) be very aggressive, and not very nice.  While I understand the need to be direct,  rudeness and a negative attitude have no place, and kills the vibe.  A sarcastic comment when asked a question and escalating emotions and tensions.  This was not only directed to us, we saw more than one incident with other attendees.  We dealt with it at the moment, and the person helping us did a great job to get it resolved. Don't let a few inhospitable ushers keep you away. Let me give you a little more info about this awesome place. The Ryman Auditorium, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a historic live performance venue and museum with a rich past. Originally built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, it was later renamed Ryman Auditorium in honor of Thomas Ryman. From 1943 to 1974, it served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry, earning the nickname "The Mother Church of Country Music" Opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, it became Ryman Auditorium in 1904. It housed the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974, earning it the nickname "The Mother Church of Country Music." It's also been called "The Birthplace of Bluegrass" and "The Carnegie Hall of the South". Performances: The Ryman has hosted a diverse range of performers across various genres, including country legends like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, as well as artists like Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, and even the Wu-Tang Clan. The Ryman underwent a significant renovation in 1994, which restored its original appearance and added modern amenities. It was also renovated in 2015, and has seen various other improvements over the years. Despite initial plans for demolition after the Opry moved, preservation efforts saved the building, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001. Today, the Ryman continues to host a wide array of concerts and shows, as well as offering various tours and experiences for visitors. Daytime tours are available year-round. Awards: The Ryman has been recognized as Pollstar's Theater of the Year 13 times and received the Academy of Country Music's Theater of the Year award in 2022. It was named a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark in 2022, and a "Rock Hall at the Ryman" exhibit was added in November 2022. Explore the auditorium at your own pace with a brochure as your guide. View exhibits and artifacts, see a short film about the Ryman's history, and take a souvenir photo on stage. Guided backstage tours: Led by an expert guide, these tours provide access to backstage areas, including dressing rooms, and share insider stories about the artists who have performed there. Haunted history tours: Explore the Ryman after hours and discover the stories behind reported unexplained sightings and occurrences. The Ryman features numerous exhibits showcasing artifacts and memorabilia from famous performers. The "Rock Hall at the Ryman" exhibit showcases rock history in Nashville. The "Soul of Nashville" theater experience: This immersive experience uses special effects, holograms, and archival footage to tell the story of the Ryman Auditorium. Cafe Lula (closed): A quick-service restaurant named after Lula C. Naff was part of the 2015 renovations but closed in 2020 and was replaced by an expanded retail shop. Gift shop: Purchase Ryman memorabilia and souvenirs. In short, the Ryman Auditorium is a vital part of Nashville's music and cultur read more

Ryman Auditorium - Paul Mark Cauthen - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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You shouldn't visit Nashville without a visit to Ryman. There is so much history in this one building to take in. Upon entry you are ushered to an area that has so much information on the walls that you feel like you're not waiting at all. When it's your time you get escorted into a room where you watch a short video about the Ryman that is really well done. After that you are free to explore on your own. When I visited they were setting up for a concert that evening so it was neat to see all the hustle and bustle of getting it ready for an event. Exploring the auditorium and adjoining hallways took maybe 2 hours. You could make it longer for sure but I wouldn't try to squeeze it in any faster than that or you'll miss some of the details. Don't miss your free picture on stage! Overall a great visit and so much Nashville history! read more

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Came to see #AaronLewis #Staind #Country #Rynan tonight I got to see Aaron Lewis from Staind here in Music city as he shows his more country vocal side. Would highly review has a great time #YelpElite #A+ read more

Ryman Auditorium - #AaronLewis #Staind - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This place holds so much history and eve nthough I haven't been on the tour, I learned about its history and went to my first concert here recently. Yes, it is an old building, and that adds to the charm. There was a short wait to get in, but security was making it efficient. There are two levels and two concession stands, and two bathrooms. There is lots to take in just in the lobby areas. We sat in the lower level right where the row starts under the balcony. It was a view obstructed seat, but I had no problems seeing. The physical seats are wooden pews and not the most comfortable, but we stood the whole time and the acoustics were great! The small size really makes it feel like you are jamming with the artist and everyone else who is there. read more

A tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium is on the to do list for visiting Nashville. There's so much history in the building, and great exhibits about the wide variety of artists who have performed there. read more

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Do the VIP tour. It is so worth it and genuinely SUCH a good time. It's about 2 hours- your pictures are included and you can take pics the whole time except back stage which is such an amazing bonus. We had Hannah as our guide- shout out to her! She was awesome and fun (: just overall clean, well kept up venue with such good history and helpful staff. read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Home of the Grand Ole Oprey and a venue for country music. Located right downtown in the heart of Nashville. We had a tour Sunday morning at 11am which was a little hard after going out the night before. Our tour guide was super energetic and knowledgeable, it was cool looking at all of the different rooms and you even get a complimentary picture at the end. Don't skip out on the beginning video before the tour, it had really good effects! read more

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Pretty cool historic venue. Was more modern than I expected. The downside is the church seating without putting any cushions on the seats is brutal. They should at least add some soft bottoms like the opry. the acoustics are great as these old venues tend to be. It's worth a stop for sure read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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We purchased discount tickets from trolley and saved $15 each on self guided tour. Watched a video beforehand and learned Ryman was originally a Tabernacle for music and old grand ole opry. It was renamed Ryman auditorium after Mr Ryman passed. It is the mother church of country music. Seeing a concert here would be tricky to get good seats as there are blind spots, and lower level has an overhang from the balcony. Balcony seats look the best actually. Seating is church pews with numbered backs. We had our photo taken and it was free. The gift shop was Uber expensive and didn't buy anything. read more

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We went to a LeAnn Rimes concert there and had a great time. Our seats were in wooden pews which were a little uncomfortable. Drinks were on the spender side. Location was great for us read more

Ryman Auditorium - Performers that have played at this venue - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I recall visiting the Ryman during the 80s and we could only go in so far due to its poor condition. Years later I moved to Nashville, and I really enjoyed the live shows and TV Tapings. So many awesome talented musicians, cast, and crew members have made the Ryman a memorable experience. Dolly was filming a TV Special and nailed it the first time, but she said, 'I want to sing again because people have been waiting, and I don't just want to sing and leave.' She is thoughtful, amazing, and classy. The Ryman has such an amazing history that is on display and has been preserved. I love the Ryman and it looks amazing. read more

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Beautiful music venue! Twas an absolute dream! Pretty affordable tickets too!! Staff was helpful and lines seemed to move fast. The church pew seats are such a cool reminder of the crazy amount of history that has unfolded there!! You don't see historic venues like that often! We saw Hippocampus here and it was wonderful!! The audio was perfectly balanced and the view from our seats was great!! Even when an issue occurred, the staff handled it very professionally! A girl a few seats over was super drunk and screamed very loudly for a full 3 minutes (where you couldn't even hear the band). When she was (politely and gently) asked to stop, she put her hands on a girl behind her (trashy, ew) -- and the staff handled it brilliantly and tactfully! When she refused to leave, security was gentle but firm with her and made it clear that she wouldn't be allowed to harass other guests. Those guys saved the concert foreal!! Can't wait to be back!! If you see a musician here, make sure to look for the hatch posters!! They're a nashville exclusive! The Hatch Print Shop is a super dope local shop worth supporting! read more

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The historic Ryman deserves all the 5 star reviews it can gather. It's exciting to have such a beautiful historic theatre thriving in downtown Nashville, in the midst of all the bachelorette parties and moving bars. Parking in the adjacent Truest plaza is convenient. and can be booked in advance on ParkWhiz. Watched a line for entry to a show go on forever. It moved quickly when the doors finally opened, but after even 20-30 minutes it was still going around the block. Easy to tell the seasoned pros from the newbies. The seasoned pros carried seats to cushion the hard pews they'd be sitting on for the next few hours. So why no 5 stars here? Well we were "fortunate" enough to have scored front row tickets to a favorite artist, Diana Krall. The front two rows are folding chairs, and the front row is pretty tight against the stage. But worst of all, after Diana walked on stage, she sat at her piano, and between the speakers/monitors on the stage directly in front of us, and the piano, we had absolutely no view of Diana or the band throughout the entire concert. Huge rip off to sound like you're getting fabulous seats, when they are actually extremely limited view. Well, lesson learned. Just be very cautious of those first 2 rows. It would have made a huge difference in our enjoyment of the concert to have been on the first row or two of the permanent pews instead. Maybe our disappointment will soften over time, and after a future show, with seating with a view, I can bump the Ryman back to the 5 stars it truly deserves. read more

Not really sure how I can chime in with any more praise for the Ryman that doesn't already exist BUT! What an amazing venue. I came to Nashville solo for a couple of days to see a reunion of a comedy troupe I love (The State) so it was a bit of a different experience than a concert but man, that was a fun night! I was in the second row and had an amazing view of the performers (though it was REALLY close to the stage, and not unlike sitting in the front row of a movie theatre. I could see great but by the end my neck was a little stiff! In the future I'd shoot for, say a row 5 or 6. Haha. ZERO complaints, tho. Just a bit of a learning). The venue also feels really intimate even though it's what I would call midsize, which makes the experience of enjoying a performance there feel even more special. The outside of the building is also very cool with all of the stained glass windows and statues making for great photo opps. I also made sure to hit the gift shop to grab my husband a tshirt and walked out of there with the most delightful pair of rhinestone ankle length cowboy boots. Sometimes you just gotta treat yourself, right? Their merch in general is really fun so even if you're not catching a show there you can still pick up a fun souvenir or sign up for one of their tours. Unfortunately I wasn't able to squeeze one of those in during my short trip but given the Ryman is a bucket list venue for my husband I'm sure we'll be doing that next time we're lucky enough find our way to Nashville together! read more

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A must see... so much history.... They were setting up for a show that night but we had tickets to the Grand Ole Opry.... But still I wouldn't miss this tour.... Part of Nashville history... Tour guides We're so friendly ... parking is not easy in this area.... read more

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That a phenomenal place to emit toe tapping, soul stirring and memory making music! I got chills just being in the building and as I toured the facility - I could t help but think of the people just like me - and the people who have made it big while performing there to folks just like me - as well as the tabernacle from which the building's origins began. Historic, humble, famous, awesome, fantastic - so many wonderful things and we enjoyed a great concert including Ricky Skaggs and the Gatlin Brothers, etc What fun we had and would go back in a heartbeat! read more

We did a guided tour of the auditorium today and it was super well spoken. We had Mason as our tour guide and to our surprise it was his first day doing tours. He was super knowledgeable and made it seem like he was there personally during the renovations. It has a self guided tour as well of the artifacts and rock n roll section. It also come with a free picture on stage. Before or after your tour you can also watch a video that is super good and interesting. read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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We attended the Bobby Bones Million Dollar Show for St. Judes. After reading some reviews we chose to sit in the balcony and I am thankful we did. No obstruction of view. The seats are pews so not super comfy but no problem at all. If we are able to visit again I would definitely want to do the tour of this magnificent facility! read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Soul of Nashville Right Here! We did the self-guided tour at the Ryman and WOW--what a gem! The history here is dynamic, well-curated, and told in a way that really pulls you in. From the original pews to the immersive exhibits, everything felt authentic. Our tour included a souvenir photo, which was a fun touch (don't forget to grab it in the shop!). This is definitely not just for country fans--this place is music history. A must-visit for anyone coming to Nashville." read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Did the backstage tour, our guide was Cody and he was quite entertaining and informative. We learned so much about the Ryman and its rich history. A must do in Nashville. read more

Ryman Auditorium - Music Venues Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This was my first time seeing a concert at the Ryman; it is not big and has wooden pew seats but was a very comfortable experience. Saw Herb Alpert.....truly amazing! I was concerned that our seats in the back right balcony would not be ideal but they were great! read more

We took a tour here about a year and a half ago and at that time I vowed to return to go to a concert here. We went on Bluegrass Night (Thursdays). None of us were bluegrass fanatics but we were when we left. Della Mae was performing but the opening act was great too. I'll also state that we attended the Opry the night before and while that was a totally great experience, I can't really compare the two. The Ryman is an intimate space. I'm really not sure there's a bad seat in the house (unless you're setting behind the column). My advice is to take a tour during the day and return that evening for whatever is going on. Well worth it! read more

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