I toured the Ryman by myself today waiting for a friend to fly into town and it was a wonderful visit. The staff is really friendly and knowledgeable and it was a neat feeling to walk into a room with such history. They play an informative video to start (don't skip it) and then the rest is self guided. You can get your picture taken on the stage steps and you get a copy for free in the gift shop! I highly recommend going.

I had never been to a concert here, and it was great!! Amy Grant and Vince Gill put on an awesome Christmas show. The pews for seating are hard, not a bad idea to bring a cushion to sit on. There was a large gift shop, lots of concessions, and a restroom with lots of stalls. I loved the original wood and details in the building.

I enjoyed the $30 tour. It includes a video that wraps around you. Displays of clothing worn by many of the greats, both old and current and framed play bills. You can walk freely throughout the auditorium which also let's you see where the techs work. A free photo is provided that is taken on the stage. The employees were lovely and happy! The gift shop is quite affordable. Definitely a worth while adventure. If you choose not to venture inside there are several things to enjoy for free outside.

The history in this building is really neat - but let's talk about the physical experience of attending a show here. Very often the folks who perform are doing so to a sold-out crowd. This church was built when humans occupied much less space than they do today. If you are 6 foot, it will be painful because there is no room for your knees. If you are even simply moderately sized, you will personally extend over the allotted space for your "seat". And even if *you* don't have long legs or happen to be a thin person, if you have the misfortune of being in a row with a couple other larger folks and your row is full, everyone will be squashed, because they are church pews and many sections don't have any type of seat divider. I know the pews are historic and we want to keep them historic, but the venue DESPERATELY needs to realign the spacing. Charge more per ticket if you have to, but I want to be able to take a full deep breath without every inch of my side body touching the stranger next to me. It's *genuinely* worse than any old, teeny tiny Broadway theater seat in NYC, and I have been in some bad ones. The positive: The acoustics in the venue are great, the bathrooms were clean and modern, the staff is kind. I appreciate that you can take in your beverages to the show, but I had people who spilled their open cup by kicking it on the floor and it dripped down into my space so my floor was covered. Nowhere to put your bag if the seats are all full and the floor is covered in red sticky liquid. ☠️

This was a very nice venue that truly gave me and my husband an intimate listening experience with the musicians on stage. We were just there to see Father John Misty and we were amazed at the acoustics, how sitting in the balcony we had a great view of the entire stage, and the workers there were all very friendly and welcoming. I liked the wooden pew style seating and while it was a tight squeeze and we were packed tightly in our row, the show quality was worth the social discomfort. I would be happy to see any musician on this stage again. The stairs are quite narrow though and while walking up them I tripped onto my face so perhaps be warned. Still, solid 10/10 experience.

I had a ticket to a show in the evening and decided to take the self-guided tour earlier in the day. I bought my ticket I site and not in advance. There was just a short wait for the tour to begin. thoroughly enjoyed this experience. They show you a short film to start on the history of the building. Then you take yourself throughout the building. They had some artist memorabilia showcased and you get a free picture of yourself at the end of the tour - free print and then $5 to purchase a digital download. The staff/volunteers were all friendly and knowledgeable. The Johnny Cash bus was on-site and that was accessible with your tour ticket. The sound and energy during the show I saw that evening was incredible. I highly recommend taking the tour and seeing a live show here!! I’m sure I will be back! Also - I had purchased a seat that said obstructed view at the end of an aisle (section 3 - row M) and I can assure you my visibility was not that obstructed.

The Ryman Auditorium is an essential stop for anyone visiting Nashville, even if you don't have tickets or there is no show that day, it's worth stopping at. I say this because it is located in the heart of downtown Nashville, surrounded by a vibrant and safe environment full of wonderful retail shopping and all kinds of dining. I went to a concert this summer and got tickets for the front row of the balcony. They were the most amazing seats, and I got them for about $100 each! There was nobody to stand in front of me or block my view, and my buddy and I had the time of our lives! With it's rich history, our band opened by saying that it was a dream of theirs to play at the Ryman, and then proceeded to put on the best live show I've ever seen from them (and I've seen them play live 11 times before). In summary, if there IS a show, GO! If not, stop by and take pictures of the statues outside before continuing on to the surrounding attractions like Printer's Alley (the main street for all the bars and pubs). I recommend staying in a hotel downtown. You can walk everywhere with ease. Everything is close and safe, and you won't have to worry about drinking and driving.

We had an amazing time at the Mr Big show. The sounds was great and the crowd was the perfect size. The security and employees were all very helpful. Great venue

It was incredible seeing a show at the historic Ryman Theater! If you're on the ground floor, you definitely want to be in rows A through k so you're not under the balcony and don't have to risk having a blocked view. There were plenty of restrooms and places to get a beer and all the staff were very welcoming. Great sound, even in a historic space. It was really awesome looking at the modern amenities like the awesome amplifiers, but then looking at the ceiling and seeing the 130 year-old boards still up there!

My wife and I toured the Ryman Auditorium while visiting Nashville. We took the guided "behind the scenes" tour that costs a bit more than the self-guided tour. The self-guided tour basically allows guests to roam through the auditorium guided by a brochure, viewing the displays and taking in the majesty of this historical music venue. The guided tour goes backstage visiting a half dozen dressing rooms. At each dressing room, the theme of the room is discussed and a short video played on a small TV screen mounted on the wall. Given that the behind the scenes tour was only a $10 upgrade, I felt it was interesting enough to merit the price. If it cost much more than that it would not have been worth it. After the guided tour, we were able to casually roam through the auditorium and visit the displays, just as the self-guided tour does. And for me, that's the charm of visiting the Ryman Auditorium - being able to take your time to take it all in. The Ryman Auditorium was a game changer for country music in Nashville, and although the Grand Old Opry has moved on to more spacious quarters, the Ryman Auditorium still holds its fair share of concerts - country and otherwise. In my opinion, our visit to Nashville would not have been complete without a visit to the Ryman Auditorium.

Took the tour and it was an awesome experience then went back later for a concert. The place has so much history, it's an honor to be there!!! The concert was amazing! Probably the best sound system I have heard. The whole place was vibrating and alive! Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit put on a great show!

Ryman is fantastic intimate venue! Saw Van Morrison and can't think of better place. Built in 1892 (?) it has beautiful architecture inside and out. Was originally a church, great acoustics, and still has wooden benches. I lucked out and got end of row padded seat, lol. Highly recommend for any artist you want to see.

Wonderful venue. Warm sound. Good atmosphere. This place is dripping with history. The fixtures breathe waves of textural audio waves of the kind …. Kind…. The place is magical.

BIG THING TO KEEP IN MIND - it closes at 4pm for tours (even earlier on Tuesdays) because, of course, they need to prepare for performances each evening. Anyway, I barely made it but I am so glad I did. You can get a photo taken on the stage by a professional photographer and pick up the photos in the gift shop. You can also, as I did, ask someone to take a photo of you on your cell phone and get as many as you like. The gift shop, btw, which you must exit by has some really cool stuff.

Highly recommend visiting Ryman if you're visiting Nashville. The tour is pretty much self guided and really enjoyed the history behind Ryman. The staff is really friendly and knowledgeable and helped answer all our questions. The auditorium is beautiful and I loved the colorful windows. You get a free photo clicked on the stage which can be picked up from the gift shop. Please do check timings before you visit as this is closed on Tuesday and sometimes is open only until 2:00 PM instead of 4: 00 PM. IG: journey_man16

The best concert experience I've ever had. The sounds of stomping, clapping, and singing makes the building come alive like it is appreciating the music along with you. A must visit for any music fan.

It was wonderful to go to one of the number one places to visit when in Nashville. I had no idea what the ryman auditorium even was before I went. It was delightful to hear two of the educational talks that are done on the hour or so. They have A very educational film before you start, lots of pictures and artifacts to look at and read through after you listen to the talk. Fascinating history.

Fantastic shows both Friday and Saturday. I love the residency program it makes my drive more affordable when I can catch multiple shows! The staff as always was outstanding the lines for concessions and bathrooms moved well and we're not outlandish. My balcony seats were outstanding and the sound top notch. The best at any venue I've been in. The place was clean also. Nice that they have a band in the courtyard while waiting to enter. Bravo! My wait time to get in included me showing up an hour early to get a Hatch Print. I always meet music lovers so I don't mind.

We saw Crowded House here during their most recent tour. Inviting auditorium with beautiful church windows and pews for seating. Wonderful acoustics. This place is a Nashville treasure and made our show all the more special.

This was such a great place. After we entered the Auditorium, we were directed upstairs to a movie theater. This was a film on the Auditorium and it's history. Amazing story. During the film, I now understood the importance of the place and how many things came and went. Have a good one.

Beyond remarkable. For the country music fan this is the Mother House of Country Music. There’s a sweet, rich, homelike feel. My son gave me the gift of not only attending a music performance but it was a honor to stand on stage left where the footprints of all my heroes once stood. Looking up to the ceiling to the balcony of the Ryman I felt such joy knowing of all the music that touched the hearts of so many through the years. I could see the faces of music lovers gazing towards the stage and felt ripples of love for the grand place where music was gifted to the crowds.

We went to see two shows on two different nights and both experiences were great. The Ryman was a clean and well organized venue. Entry was simple with little security. The sound was incredible. Crystal clear and at a volume that did not require ear protection. The only downside was the seating. Hard wooden pews were not very comfortable. In spite of that, I'd love to see more artists performing there.

DIDN'T GO IN so don't feel I can leave more or less than an average rating. All we could see was the lobby and gift shop without a tour, but with airline schedules not whitening with Ryman your schedules, it wasn't worth the $132.03 for 2 adults, 1 senior, & 2 kids (😲❓😳) for just an hour to look around. Neat to be "on the site" but that was it... 🤷🏻‍♀️ Wish there was an option to pay $15 or something to see the auditorium for those that don't have hours to spend watching all the movies that make up the tour and don't live on east coast.

A great place to see live music. Great sound, friendly staff and a nice, big stage for the performers. I have been here a few times and always have a great time. The only problem there is the parking. It's so expensive to park downtown.

Wonderful! All of the employees were so nice & informative. A nice man named John struck up a conversation with me with some history of the Ryman, telling me about cattle auctions, circuses & ice shows in the theaters history. He was so pleasant with a great sense of humor. Lots of well presented historical pieces - clothing, sheet music & instruments from all the biggest stars to perform there - Dolly Parton, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Amy Grant, and many more. I loved the hall with prints of all of the programs from over 100 years of performances at the Ryman. The little film shown at a beginning was very well done & interesting. The theater is so lively, a show was being set up for that night. We bought our tickets in advance and entry was easy - all done by scanning our phones and included a free printed photo of us standing on the stage. Would definitely recommend this as a "must see" for anyone visiting Nashville.

Really interesting history! I took the guided tour and although the price might seem high, it was well worth it. I learnt so much about the Ryman Auditorium and the whole experience was really interactive and really made the history come to life. It’s a must see if your are visiting Nashville!

Amazing!! Definitely a must. Very interesting. Our tour guide Ms. Deborah was really really good... professional, funny, friendly, patient... she answered all the questions we had. (And.. I think this is the first place of all the "guided tours" places we've been in the nation that did not expect or have a place for tips!" ... the video is a "must" cool info and effects. We recommend the guided tour.. only $10 more than self guided and you can get AAA discounts

Simply amazing getting to experience and watch a live performance at the Mother Church! The Ryman is so awesome, just getting to sit in the original church style pews and think about It's History and all the Music Legends that have performed there it gave me goosebumps. Wasn't a bad seat anywhere in that place with awesome clear sound that just made it even more amazing knowing. If you haven't been..... Then you should go right now and feel that Ryman historical vibe!

Self guided tour taken on February 19th, 2024. Reasonable price, beautiful theater and they included a pair of photos of us on stage taken during the tour and access to see Johnny Cash’s tour bus which is parked outside the auditorium.

The Ryman tour is really quite amazing. I’ve been to the Ryman before, but doing the tour was really cool. My father and I got to stroll through the auditorium, reading about the history of the tabernacle and seeing different exhibits from different artists. Definitely worth the time.

I went both to the tour in the morning and Vince Gill Amy Grant Christmas show that night. The tour was great and well worth the extra time I. The movie alone 3D made me feel like I had got my money's worth. Getting a picture is fun. Great walking around seeing the memorabilia. Amazing place. The show spoke for itself!! Not a bad seat in the place. Great experience. Friendly staff. Gift shop nice too.

The tour exceeded my expectations. So much history here with the Ryman story and the endless talent over the years. Fabulous history video to start. We also attended 2 shows during the week. Daniel Tosh Comedy and Ringo and his Allstars. Great small venue. Both were wonderful. I do recommend putting yourself on the email list for planning so you can get tickets when they go on sale. So much various talent!

Such a historic place and to be able to go to a place that has had legends in it is a blessing within itself. This night I had the luxury of seeing Jelly Roll, amazing show with such raw, real, and true talent.

Historic venue in downtown Nashville. A very old building that is very well preserved. Great place to enjoy a show, is a very small venue so any seat in the house is great

We went to see Amy Grant and Vince Gill's Christmas Show. We were extremely pleased with the ease of getting in even though several bus loads of people were in line as well. It was great being in this historic building. We did have a column in our view but it did not diminish the entertainment or our evening at all. This was our first visit to the Ryman for a show. We had toured it many years ago. We drove in from the Lexington, Kentucky area and would definitely do this again. Vince Gill and Amy Grant were great!!

This is a must visit venue. The history and intimacy of this place is old time Nashville. Shows here have very few bad seats. I found one on my last show behind the pole supporting the balcony and a giant human with a head the size of a beach ball. Other than that, it's never a disappointment.

We stopped in Nashville just for this. We've always wanted to go to the home of the Grand Ole Opry and Bluegrass! We did the backstage pass and it was worth it! Lots of great information. The self guided tour comes with a picture of you on the stage of the Ryman, which makes it even more worth it. Their is so much history here. The acoustics are great and I can't wait to see a concert here.

Absolutely a must if you are a country music fan! This is the mother church! The tour is awesome & the venue just gives you that feeling you can't describe. You just know greatness is throughout the entire place.

The Ryman is an icon. I loved siting in benches where so many have enjoyed a show and a stage where thousands of talented musicians have graced their presence with. For the real bits, if you are waiting for a show go over to the ASSEMBLY FOOD HALL they have public bathrooms upstairs and my advice is parking is tight as far away as feel comfortable walking, all the people that parked close were stuck in traffic that we were able to bypass by not being right across from the Ryman. Also visit the gift shop! When I come back(and I will come back) I plan on taking the tour, I hear it is really awesome.

Fantastic venue! Acoustics are perfect! Excellent place to see your favorite artist. I saw mine:) Brandy Clark is the next Country Music legend in the making...

We completed the self guided tour on a Sunday and it was an awesome experience. Right from the amazing video introduction through to the cool displays, to the auditorium itself. You can't help but get caught up in the emotion that the multitude of stars would have felt and still no doubt feel to this day when walking through the Ryman and taking the stage. I would happily recommend a visit to the Ryman to anyone that has an interest in music.

A historic and pleasant venue to see a show. Watched a concert here last week and it was great. This is an old time place so there are some columns that may obstruct your view. Staff are incredibly pleasant and helpful. They truly care about your experience. It was very clean in the seating areas and the bathrooms. Only reason for 4 starts instead of 5 is the concession stand is BEYOND expensive. Enjoy the show.

What a wonderful piece of music history! I am so glad that the Ryman was saved. It's a beautiful building and they have done an incredible job presenting the history of it and curating exhibits and memorabilia. The tour was a little more self-service than I expected, but we didn't mind. A printed photo of you in front of the stage is included with the tour price, which is a nice bonus. Every music fan should go at least once!

Loved the history. Took the self-guided tour and it was worth every penny. Really enjoyed being in the place where so many got their start. If you like history, or country music, or both, add this to your list of places to visit.

Talk about history. If the stage and the walls could talk! We almost didn't do this, but at the last minute we scheduled the behind the scenes tour and we are so glad that we did. Price for the VIP tour is extremely reasonable. Gift shop is a little pricey but then again so is Nashville! Seeing the rooms that they have different themes/etc was awesome, and our tour guide was great. If you are going to Nashville, skip Broadway at least for a day and go here to the Ryman. We are really obsessing over a piece of the stage which they have in their shop. They recently pulled up their white oak flooring to put down new stage material which is much more durable. My wife and I are both music nuts, but definitely bring the credit card with your high Max because 1200 bucks is what it's going to take to make this yours!

This is a Fabulous music venue!! The concerts put on here are Amazing!!! The sound is great in this place. Most seats are good to see the stage. But if you're short try not to buy seats under the balcony overhang because if ppl are standing during the show you dont have a lot of space to see the stage. Between the bottom of the overhang and the tops of their heads.