Ryman Auditorium Self-Guided Tour with Souvenir Photo Onstage
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Nashville, USA
- 1 to 2 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Follow in the footsteps of country legends on a self-guided tour of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, a downtown venue known as "The Mother Church of Country Music." Explore five exhibits on the Ryman Auditorium’s musical history, with footage of celebrity hosts to introduce each one. This self-guided Ryman Auditorium tour offers the chance to explore Nashville country music on your own schedule, and take a commemorative on-stage photo.
- This self-guided tour is a great choice for independent travelers
- Have the special chance to take on-stage photos
- Learn about Nashville's musical history at a range of on-site exhibits
- Prebook your tickets and visit any time during opening hours
What's Included
- Self-Guided Tour of historic Ryman Auditorium
- Get an In-Depth look at "The Mother Church of Country Music."
- Souvenir Photo Opportunity on the Ryman Auditorium stage
- Enjoy the "Soul of Nashville" intro movie
- Browse through the Hatch Show Print gallery and enjoy the many artifacts from your favorite artists
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
- 01/01/2026 - 12/31/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Departure Point
- Ryman Auditorium, 116 Fifth Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219-2309
What To Expect
Make your way to the Ryman Auditorium, where you can redeem your voucher for admission on a self-guided tour.
The first stop on the tour is the “Soul of Nashville,” a state-of-the-art theater experience that uses special effects, holograms, and archival footage to introduce the Ryman Auditorium’s 125-year history, with plenty of country stars along the way, including Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Vince Gill.
Following the presentation, continue through the Ryman Auditorium’s exhibits; short films are hosted by Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs, Robin Roberts, and Trisha Yearwood. The exhibits cover everything from the early days of country music performance to contemporary stars.
This self-guided tour is available throughout the day.
The first stop on the tour is the “Soul of Nashville,” a state-of-the-art theater experience that uses special effects, holograms, and archival footage to introduce the Ryman Auditorium’s 125-year history, with plenty of country stars along the way, including Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Vince Gill.
Following the presentation, continue through the Ryman Auditorium’s exhibits; short films are hosted by Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs, Robin Roberts, and Trisha Yearwood. The exhibits cover everything from the early days of country music performance to contemporary stars.
This self-guided tour is available throughout the day.
1
Ryman Auditorium
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Your tickets will be held at the theater box office for collection on the day of the Self-Guided tour. You will be required to present this voucher, along with photo ID in exchange for your tickets.
- Please Note: On-stage photo availability may vary according to Ryman Auditorium commitments.
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 919 reviews
Carole_G, Apr 2026
The Ryman was simply breathtaking. Rich with history. You could feel the love that went into creating the legacy. It did not disappoint.
Rebecca_G, Apr 2026
Very nice auditorium. Glad I saw it. And the nice thing is they give you a photo for free! Recommend. Nice gift shop too.
Terri_S, Apr 2026
I like that you can browse at your own pace though the auditorium and back stage. I enjoyed learning the history of the Ryman!
Pat_S, Mar 2026
Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The exhibits were amazing. There was a 30 minute video with Grammy performances throughout time. That was so much fun to watch!!
Mark_S, Mar 2026
Awesome tour!! Would highly recommend this tour! Very interesting and fun! Glad we did it! Will do it again next trip
Susan_H, Mar 2026
Great experience! Lots of history! Would recommend this museum. Wander at own pace. Would come back again!
Robert_D, Mar 2026
1-2 hour self guided tour detailing the history of the building. Lots of information and memorabilia.
susan_d, Mar 2026
Informative. The guide was enthusiastic and knew his topic . The tour was well organized and expectations were very clear.
William_A, Feb 2026
The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The self guided tours takes about an hour and a half. Receiving a free photo was a bonus.
William_S, Jan 2026
Self tour is ok, but wondering if paying for the "guided" tour (not too much more $) would be better. Self tour definitely does NOT include any kind of "acoustic experience" to hear the AWESOMEness of the Ryman. This is probably the number 1 draw of the Mother Church (at least for me). AND your allowed to get a FREE photo on the stage, which is nice, but they really need to provide a "fake guitar, fake microphones" to hold during this photo. This makes that photo much more FUN. The GREAT thing about the Ryman tour is the immediate video presentation of the history of the Ryman, this is really really WELL DONE and cool with awesome effects and graphics encompassing the entire theatre room. Thank you
Rhonda_F, Dec 2025
Great for country music fans. The Ryman is a great place for history of music and a great experience! My husband has been wanting to go for years. I was fortunate to see the Opry there as a child. I enjoyed seeing it again as an adult and able to appreciate what it stands for.
Roderick_S, Nov 2025
Viator made our first visit to Nashville very easy! For first time visitors, there was so much we wanted to see but we had a limited time to work every place into our schedule. Having tickets ready for us at each location helped give us time to see more venues! I would recommend Viator to everyone for a more enjoyable trip!!
Pam_W, Nov 2025
There is limited space available on the self-guided tour. There is a well done short film in the beginning then you can go into the auditorium on both levels. There are some displays and short videos. We only stayed about 45 minutes by looking at everything. They were setting up for a show so the stage was unavailable and would be in the background of the picture. Only great if the history means something to you.
kathleen_b, Nov 2025
Basically you are just buying a voucher yo pick up the tickets at the ticket office. It wasn't busy when we went so there is no waiting. Everyone is very nice at the Ryman. You only need about an hour or hour and a half to get thru. It's definitely worth seeing. So many talented people have been on stage there. It's pretty cool to imagine those people there.
Craig_C, Oct 2025
The self guided tour is worth the cost. You’ll see a very informative movie to begin with, and, as part of the package, you will get a picture of your group on the steps of the stage.
Daniel_L, Oct 2025
It was a great insight into the behind the scenes and the evolution of country western music from the Ryman Auditorium to the current Grand Ole Opry site
Joseph_C, Oct 2025
We loved touring the Ryman! The movie was so informative and innovative. It was special to get to tour the Ryman and see all of the exhibits. We were also able to have our picture made which was included with our tickets.
Dawn_R, Oct 2025
Although the Ryman is great; they let too many people in at a time and you couldn't really enjoy the experience. On large traffic days, they should limit entry.
Robert_C, Oct 2025
Great experience, not rushed, did not realize all genres perform here . so much history here. enjoyed the movie, very informing.
Kelly_B, Oct 2025
Lots of history to be learnt around the Ryman, nice that you could at your own pace would definitely recommend
Kathy_F, Oct 2025
This experience was amazing! I never knew the history of the Ryman! I love that I was in the building of so many great country music artists! This building is iconic!!
Paula_T, Sep 2025
Highly recommend getting the backstage tour! It was so so enjoyable and informative, our guide Emily was awesome!
Joanie_B, Sep 2025
So much history here! Its a must see! The display are amazing. So glad we went and toured it. You won’t be disappointed.
Emma_H, Sep 2025
Spend some time. All the reading and listening material is very interesting. We didn’t do a tour so was able stop and spend all the time we wanted on one area.
Kasey_A, Sep 2025
We did the self guided tour. Everything was beautiful and ran really well! So cool to be in so much history.
Santiago_G, Aug 2025
Venue and video excellent
Check in
Easy to get too
Condition good
Staff
Close to Broadway and eating
Neal_P, Aug 2025
It was experience and highly recommended. It was bus ride and very comfortable ride. I am glad we decided to do this activity.
Gabe_P, Aug 2025
The Ryman has such amazing history and I learned a lot about the venue and was an easy stroll on the self guided tour. I think I would spend the little extra and do a guided tour but either way is definitely recommended!
Cidney_S, Aug 2025
You learn so much about the people involved in the Ryman’s history. Take your time and enjoy the self-guided tour.
debra_r, Jul 2025
The movie about the history of the Ryman was amazing. It was one of my favorite places in Nashville. And to stand on the stage and get my picture taken was so unreal. To be where all the legends once stood was something I’ll never forget!!!
From $34.62
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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