City: Nashville, TN

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (615) 889-3060 (reservations,

Address: 116 Fifth Ave. N.

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Description: The legendary Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, has enjoyed a rebirth. After an $8.5-million renovation, the 2,100-seat landmark venue reopened in 1994, restored to its original splendor. Today the Ryman hosts concerts by country, bluegrass, pop, rock, classical, and gospel artists and special engagements of the Grand Ole Opry. The Ryman also has hosted several musical productions in recent years. Its excellent acoustics have made it a popular spot among recording artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, and Sheryl Crow. The building was originally called the Union Gospel Tabernacle. Riverboat captain Thomas Ryman, inspired by the preaching of evangelist Sam Jones, built the facility in 1892 as a site for Jones’s revivals and other religious gatherings. It soon became a popular venue for theatrical and musical performances and political rallies. The building was renamed to honor Ryman after his death in 1904. Though it wasn’t the first home of the Grand Ole Opry, which began in 1925, the Ryman earned the nickname “the Mother Church of Country Music.” For 31 years the live Opry radio show originated from this building. Country legends such as Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, and Patsy Cline performed on the stage. While fans packed the wooden pews, others tuned in to their radios to hear the live broadcast. When the Opry moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland USA, the Ryman became a tourist attraction, and the building was used as a backdrop in such films as Nashville, Coal Miner’s Daughter, and Sweet Dreams.The Ryman remains a top tourist destination. Individuals and groups stop here daily to tour the building. Various exhibits and displays tell about the Ryman and country music history. Audiovisual displays on the main floor feature a variety of memorabilia. An interactive unit downstairs is popular with kids. Self-guided tours are available 7 days a week. A concession stand and gift shop are on-site.