Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark and former home of the Grand Ole Opry (1943-1974), continues its more-than-100-year music tradition by offering the best in entertainment.  Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, excluding New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas days, the Ryman offers tours that showcase the legendary stars who have graced her stage, from the biggest names in music to Mae West, Rudolph Valentino, and W.C. Fields.  Then, in the evening, you can return to the premier performance hall for one of the many shows and concerts scheduled year-round.

Ryman Auditorium first opened its doors in 1892 as a vision of Captain Thomas G. Ryman. With the coming of the Grand Ole Opry show in 1943, the Ryman found its identity as the Mother Church of Country Music. In 1974, the Opry moved to its current home by the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and left the Ryman vacant. It was not until twenty years later in 1994 that the Ryman was restored to be the national showplace that it is today. Musicians ranging from Roy Acuff to James Brown and Patsy Cline to Sheryl Crow have performed on the Ryman stage, making it a historical as well as a current-day icon for people everywhere.