California_momofsix
Jul 2020
We initially only planned to tour the Ryman, but I am so glad that we added the Opry to our agenda when it reopened for tours just a day prior to our arrival in Nashville. The two venues really need to be experienced together. Combo tickets can be booked through the Ryman website which saves about 20 dollars per ticket. To find the deal, click on "buy tickets" and then on "packages" The website will allow you to customize the times for both of your tours, either on the same day or on consecutive days. I would highly recommend booking the tour online ahead of time. Currently the Opry is operating at reduced capacity, and only a few tours are offered each day. When we visited, no same day tickets were available, and this was on a Tuesday.
The tour begins with a multi media, immersive presentation hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, that you watch while seated on comfortable couches and armchairs. Glance at the pictures on the wall while you watch, they actually change along with the movie. Following the movie, a guide takes a small group of people throughout the whole building, including the artist entrance, the TV studio, the dressing rooms and backstage area, the gallery of Opry members and their mail boxes and lastly the stage and auditorium. A picture is taken of your family while standing in "the circle" that you have the option to purchase. (Country music fans will know about the circle. If you don't know, you will find out during the tour). You even have the opportunity to sing into the microphone. We passed on that challenge but another young woman in our group did a great job after being volunteered by her mother. Our guide was very personable and enthusiastic, sharing several funny and heartfelt stories. The Opry came alive as more than just a building.
Masks were required, and it was easy to keep apart from other members of the group. In the larger areas, markers on the ground were provided and when entering tight spaces like the dressing rooms, the guides send in one family at a time. We felt perfectly safe. The guide was very upbeat and respectful about the restrictions, so it didn't feel like we were ordered around. The gift shop had a nice selection of souvenirs.
One last tip: Park behind the Opry Mills mall (close to the movie theatre entrance) and walk over towards the two big guitars. It's very close and you can save yourself the parking fee charged at the Opryland resort and the Opry itself.