Complete Guide to Visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville
One of the absolute best things to do in Nashville is visiting the Grand Ole Opry. I recently visited Nashville with my mom and the Opry was both of our highlight!
The Grand Ole Opry is a symbolic, famous, country music venue just outside of downtown Nashville. Multiple nights a week, stars will perform short sets in front of the live audience.
When I visited the Opry, some of the top artists were Cassadee Pope and Gary Levox, the lead singer from Rascal Flatts. We also got to witness an artists Opry debut, which is when an artist plays at the Opry for the very first time.
Between the great music, energetic atmosphere, and piece of history, visiting the Grand Ole Opry is a must-do activity in Nashville. Keep reading for tips for visiting the Opry and how to plan your experience.
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Planning a Visit to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry
Visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville was the highlight of my recent vacation. It’s one of the most iconic places in country music, and the atmosphere is truly electric.
From watching live music performers to exploring the historic building and taking pictures, there’s something for everyone at the Grand Ole Opry.
To make sure you get the full experience when visiting, here are some tips:
- Start the day off right with a backstage tour to learn all about the Opry’s history and insider details on how the show is produced
- Be sure to take plenty of pictures, both inside and outside of the Grand Ole Opry – there are lots of great spots that make for wonderful photo opportunities.
- Pick up souvenirs from your visit – you can find t-shirts, hats, mugs and more with the Grand Ole Opry logos and designs.
- Lastly, don’t forget to take time to enjoy yourself! This is an opportunity to soak up some amazing history as well as get a taste of classic country music.
Visiting the Grand Ole Opry is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed if you’re in Nashville. Keep reading to learn how to plan a day at the Grand Ole Opry.
History of the Grand Ole Opry
- The Opry started in 1925, when it aired its first live radio show
- The show moved to the famous Ryman Auditorium in 1943
- The Grand Ole Opry house, the show’s current home, opened in 1974
- In the center of the stage at the Opry house is a circle of wood from the Ryman Auditorium, which is now symbolic of the history of the show
- Since the radio show’s start, they have not missed a single broadcast, even through war, floods, and other hardship
- Over 200 members have been inducted to the Opry, with only a couple added each year
Why Visit the Grand Ole Opry
I have been a country music fan my entire life. I grew up showing horses competitively and have fond memories of blasting Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney on the way to the barn. Visiting the Grand Ole Opry was my favorite activity in Nashville and there are many reasons why.
Experience Country Music in Music City
The Grand Ole Opry is the home of country music. Every popular and up-and-coming country artist is invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry throughout their career.
Once you enter the Opry house, you will become part of country music’s history which is powerful and memorable. Additionally, you will have to opportunity to see a series of new and old artists perform.
When I visited, my favorite artists were Cassadee Pope and Gary Levoux. It was incredible to see them perform in such a small and intimate venue.
Witness a Opry Debut
When an artist is first invited for their Opry debut, it is a huge honor and symbolizes “making it” in the industry. It can be a very emotional moment for the artist.
When I visited the Opry, I witnesses a debut and it was very special to be a part of that artists journey. She shared her past of trying to thrive in Nashville while overcoming personal issues and almost quitting the industry. Her songs were new, emotional, and entertaining. I cannot wait to see where her career goes!
Witness an Artist Become a Member
More seasoned artists are invited to join the Opry as a member. The 200 best artists in the history of country music are members! During the backstage tour, I saw videos of artists like Darius Rucker and Tim McGraw be invited to the Opry. This honor brought the artists to tears of happiness, something that would be incredible to witness in person.
Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
If you are visiting the Grand Ole Opry, you MUST also take the backstage tour. The tour runs daily from morning until 3pm. It offers insight to the history of the opry, a tour of the backstage, dressing rooms and main stage and allows you to interact directly with the opry staff.
You can book tickets directly here or as an add on to your Opry show tickets. Either way, the backstage tour tickets are around $35 per person.
The Opry backstage tour starts with a seated show where holographic country artists will explain the history of the show from its inception, time at the Ryman, to where to it is now. This pre-show includes clips from many performances over the years. As a huge country music fan, this portion gave me chills!
Next, you will tour the backstage on the path that an artist will take when they perform. See the backstage where artists entrance, the check in desk, Opry post office, and opry membership wall.
Next, see all the unique dressing rooms and learn about their purpose. The dressing rooms are themed based on the type of artists that sit in them. For example, the duo dressing room or female artist room.
Finally, head to the stage to see where the artists perform and get a photo op. My favorite part of this portion was looking out at the audience where I would be later that night.
If you’re hesitating about booking the backstage tour, DO IT! It was a highlight of my entire vacation and almost as entertaining and the show itself.
Opry Live Show
The main reason to visit the Grand Ole Opry is to attend the show! The shows are typically Tuesday through Saturday and showcase multiple performers.
As mentioned above, there are many reasons to visit the Opry live show, so be sure to fit it into your Nashville itinerary.
You can purchase tickets to the show here. The tickets are sold is tiers based on the different levels of seating. Since the venue is small, I recommend purchasing the middle tier of tickets to balance price with your view. There really isn’t a bad seat in the place!
During the show, artists will perform short sets around 15 minutes long. There is very little down time between sets, so the show moves fast!
If you are wondering who is performing what night, be sure to keep a close eye on the Opry website. The lineup is finalized very last minute due to artist schedules. While it is great to target your favorite headliner, you will have fun no matter what.
General Tips for Visiting the Grand Ole Opry
Overall, visiting the Grand Ole Opry is very straight forward but the below tips will help make your trip even easier.
Getting to the Opry
If you are local to Nashville or are already planning to rent a car, you can drive to the Opry house. The drive is 30 minutes from Nashville and mostly highway.
If you do not plan to have a car on your trip, using a taxi or rideshare is the easiest way to get to the Opry house. An advantage of this is not having to deal with parking and you can also drink without having to drive after. However, the rideshare pickup line gets very backed up after the show so expect to wait around 45 minutes.
Parking at the Opry House
There is ample parking at the Grand Ole Opry house, simply follow signs and directions. Be aware that traffic leaving the parking lot can get very bad after the concert, so prepare for a slow exit.
Where to Eat Nearby
If you are looking for dinner before the show, there are a few options. There is a mall across the street from the venue that has some casual chain restaurant such as Chilis and Chuy’s.
My best option for dining near the Grand Ole Opry is Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. Sample some traditional southern food from this iconic southern chef.
What to Wear to the opry – Dress Code Tips
There is no dress code for the Grand Ole Opry, but you might still be wondering what to wear.
As with most of Nashville, the attire at the Grand Ole Opry is casual. There were people wearing jeans, shorts, and dresses. Wear what makes you feel the most comfortable and know you will fit in fine.
The above collage shows different outfit ideas for the Opry show. On the casual side, a cute denim romper with sneakers is appropriate. If you want to dress up more, a western jumpsuit with heels is super cute. Shop all these looks here.
For more outfit ideas for Nashville, read my Nashville packing guide.
Shop these outfit ideas for the Grand Ole Opry
Where to Stay near the Opry – Gaylord Opryland Hotel
If you are planning to stay the night in Opryland or are looking to kill some time before the show, be sure to check out the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. This large, Marriott property has a ton to do and beautiful rooms.
If you are looking for a hotel near the Grand Ole Opry, the Gaylord is the best option. A benefit of booking a night here is you will have golfcart transportation to the venue and not have to deal with transportation during the traffic before and after the show.
I decided to stay in downtown Nashville but spent time at the Gaylord hotel between the Grand Ole Opry tour and show. If you have time to kill, I suggest you do the same.
Some fun things to do at the hotel include enjoying a drink at the waterfall bar with live music, taking the river boat through the hotel, and exploring the arboretum.
We also got dinner at the hotel, but I would not recommend. The food was overpriced and not very good. Instead, head to one of the restaurants mentioned above.
Check the hotel availability for your visit
Grand Ole Opry One Day Itinerary
Now that we’ve gone over what to do at the Grand Ole Opry, where to stay nearby, and tips for the backstage tour, let’s put it all together in a one day itinerary.
A visit to the Opry is a great day trip out from Nashville or as a staycation if you stay on site.
Early Afternoon: Either drive out from downtown Nashville for the day or check in to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Afternoon: Take a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry to see the dressing rooms, learn about the history of the Opry, and even walk on the famous stage.
Dinner: Get ready for the show, then grab a quick dinner nearby
Show: Arrive for the show around 20 minute early, then take your seat. Finally, enjoy the show!
Summary of Visiting the Grand Ole Opry
If you are not convinced to visit the Grand Ole Opry, I do not know how! It is the best thing to do in Nashville, whether you like country music or not.
Once you step into the venue, you will feel the history of the show and all the artists who have performed there. You will also enjoy the fantastic music, which is a must in music city.
To plan the perfect day, take the backstage tour, kill some time at the Opryland hotel, then head back for the show.
For more Nashville tips, check out my complete weekend guide.
FAQ
You can visit the Grand Ole Opry ground for free. To see the inside of the Opry House, you need to purchase a tour or show tickets.
You do not have to pay to walk around the Grand Ole Opry grounds. To enter the building, you are required to purchase a tour or show tickets.
There is no dress code for the Grand Ole Opry. People will wear everything from jeans and tee shirts to dresses. I recommend jeans and a nice blouse or a casual dress. Plan an outfit as if you are dressing for a cute Sunday brunch.
There are food and drink vendors at the Opry. There are food items such as sandwiches, popcorn, and candy. This is great if you need a snack, but I recommend getting dinner beforehand.
The balcony seats at the Grand Ole Opry are great! I truly believe there is no bad seat in the house. Since the venue is small, there are good views and acoustics from any seat.
The Grand Ole Opry show is approximately 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.
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