The Grand Ole Opry — it’s hard to find any Nashville tourist brochure without it.
There’s a perfectly good reason why.
It’s the musical sanctuary that made country music famous– and its iconic stage has hosted some of the genre’s most legendary acts.
For a city that is widely known for its music, it’s no surprise that the Opry is one of the most popular cultural spots in town. No wonder it’s on every Nashville must-see list.
And now that we’ve visited ourselves, we can say it was an honor to be a part of it, and TOTALLY worth a visit!
Planning to visit, too? Read on to learn how to get tickets and learn what to expect.
Here’s our guide for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville!
The Grand Ole Opry: Prepare to be a part of 100 years of history
The Grand Ole Opry began as a live radio show in 1925, which featured various live performances from a different set of singers each time.
The shows are always performed in front of a live audience. These days, Opry broadcasts can be heard on WSM radio as well as Circle TV. They’ve even expanded to digital streaming platforms such as Facebook and YouTube–reaching not only the USA but the whole world.
It also currently holds the official record as the world’s longest-running weekly radio show. The Opry has produced more than 5,000 performances since 1925 and still counting.
The who’s who of country music have been through these halls
Everyone who’s anyone in country music has graced its iconic circle stage.
From legends such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire to current chart-toppers such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker and many more.
You’ll see a variety of performers and genres — not just country
The Opry is rich in history, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. Rather than resting on its laurels, it continues to be a trendsetter not just in country music, but all music in general.
Performers from other genres are also welcomed including rock, electronic, blues, bluegrass, etc. Elvis Presley, James Brown, Pharell Williams, Jack Black, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Costner, and even former president Richard Nixon have all famously performed at the legendary stage.
The Opry is not all about famous faces either. They also regularly invite rising stars, whose careers often skyrocket after making their Opry debut.
Watching a live show is the best way to immerse yourself into the culture
We initially didn’t have a lot of time in Nashville, so we weren’t sure if we would watch a show. But now, we are so glad we did!
Though we both liked country music, we didn’t grow up listening to the Grand Ole Opry. Thus, we weren’t that familiar with the whole Opry tradition. However, we can confidently say we’ve become true converts and we even look forward to checking out the weekly live shows online.
The night we were there, we saw a true variety of performers– crossover rising stars Everette (rock country) and Tiera Kennedy (R&B country)–alongside country legends such as Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, with current superstar Dierks Bentley. It was a delight getting this diverse variety of sounds and performers on stage. There was a smooth transition between each performance. Like a true radio show, there wasn’t much idle time. There was no room to be bored! The show truly had something for everyone.
Here’s how to get Grand Ole Opry tickets
It’s a huge stage but feels like an intimate performance
No two shows are the same and each one offers new and exciting experiences. Given how each line up changes, every show is basically one night only.
It’s got such a unique atmosphere — a place to feel welcome and involved in authentic, unadulterated Americana. At times, it even felt like a church service, complete with pew-style seating. Food, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks are also available at the venue. So you are welcome to eat and drink in the auditorium during any Opry show.
While the stage is completely modern, performances were often stripped down and there were no special effects or pyrotechnics. The performers simply displayed their sheer musical talent.
This chill and relaxed atmosphere made us feel like we were in the middle of an intimate jam session. That’s why it’s not uncommon for some acts to do impromptu collaborations right on stage. We saw superstar Dierks Bentley call up his idol Ricky Skaggs on stage– and the result was pure musical genius.
Walk into the stars’ footsteps with a backstage tour
For those who want an additional behind-the-scenes look at the show– backstage tours and VIP tours of the Grand Ole Opry House are also available.
A guide will give you insider stories and show you around the historic building. There, you’ll get a sneak peek at the inner workings of the show as well as an exclusive look at stars’ dressing rooms. You may even have the chance to step on the actual stage, either before or after the show.
Click here for the Grand Ole Opry backstage tours
Getting there requires some preparation
The Grand Ole Opry House is located 8 miles from the airport and around 10 miles east of downtown Nashville. So if you’re staying in these areas, expect it to be about a 10 to 20 minute drive, depending on the time of the day.
While public bus routes also pass by the Opry, you’re better off using Uber or Lyft. If you’re bringing your own car, the Opry House also has its own convenient reserved parking.
Their dedication to their audience is unmatched
The Grand Ole Opry has been broadcasting original concerts for 5,000+ evenings through the Great Depression, World War II, two Nashville floods, and, most recently, a worldwide pandemic.
The safety of their audience and their artists have always been a top priority for the Opry.
At the time of our visit, we saw an abundance of hand sanitation stations and safety signage. Their staff practices best-in-class safety protocols and enhanced cleaning and sanitation practices. They also consistently implement and follow current Metro Nashville health regulations.
Visit their website for their most up-to-date safety measures.
No Nashville trip will be complete without it
Whether you’re a country fan or not, we think catching a show at the Opry is a truly worthwhile experience. Especially for first-timers in Nashville, it’s a true-blue musical mecca that will open your eyes to country music and its history.
Millions of people may tune in for the broadcast of this show but of course, there’s nothing like seeing it live.
You clearly get an understanding of the magnitude of this amazing institution and soak in the essence of the Nashville music scene–all under one legendary roof.
What’s even better about the Grand Ole Opry’s location is that there are other sights in the area that could easily fill a day or two in your itinerary. There’s the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Madame Tussauds Nashville, Cooters Nashville, Opry Mills mall and so much more.
Here’s how to get Grand Ole Opry tickets
Do you like country music?
Have you been to the Grand Ole Opry?
Comment below if you have any tips or questions!
Disclaimer: We were invited by The Grand Ole Opry as media guests. However, all opinions are our own and based on our honest personal experience.
