Ryman Auditorium Nashville: Self-Guided Tour & Stage Photo

Walk the stage where legends still perform

You arrive at the Ryman box office with your voucher and photo ID, collect your ticket, and move through the building on your own schedule. You watch the "Soul of Nashville" video, explore five new multimedia exhibits featuring artifacts and hosted segments from Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman and others, and stand onstage for a souvenir photo. No guide, no group, no fixed pace. Just you and one of Nashville's most active music venues.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ryman Auditorium history and exhibits

• Arrive at Ryman Auditorium
• Redeem voucher for tour ticket
• Experience Soul of Nashville theater
• Visit five new exhibits
• View artifacts and watch videos

The experience

The moment you step into the Ryman Auditorium, you realize the building itself is the draw, not the tour guide or the curated narrative, but the actual wood and brick where Elvis, Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Wu-Tang Clan all stood. You move through it at your own pace, which sounds simple until you're standing in front of a genuine artifact from one of your favorite artists and you can linger as long as you want. The self-guided format means no one is rushing you through the five new exhibits: Workin' on a Building, Showplace of the South, Mother Church of Country Music, Ryman Stage to Screen, and Ryman Renaissance.

The "Soul of Nashville" theater experience is the spine of the visit: a one-of-a-kind video that opens with performances and stories from Darius Rucker, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill, then hands you off to hosts like Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman and Trisha Yearwood who walk you through each chapter of the Ryman's history since 1892. It's not a lecture. It's more like flipping through a very well-produced family album. After that, you're free to wander the galleries, read the plaques, watch the videos embedded in each exhibit, and absorb the weight of what happened in this 2,362-seat venue over more than a century.

The souvenir photo onstage is the thing that makes this real. You actually stand where the performances happen, and you get a picture to prove it. The Hatch Show Print gallery is there too, if you want to see the posters that announced all those legendary shows. The whole experience is self-paced, so whether you spend ninety minutes or three hours is entirely up to you. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and you can bring a stroller if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

Your visit includes self-guided entry to the Ryman Auditorium, the "Soul of Nashville" theater experience featuring performances by Darius Rucker, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill, access to five new exhibits with videos hosted by Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs, Robin Roberts and Trisha Yearwood, browsing the Hatch Show Print gallery and genuine artist artifacts, and a souvenir photo opportunity onstage. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and suitable for all fitness levels.

Information

Lasts 1h–2h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 37.99 per person and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

Audio guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Opry Entertainment Group

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to experience the Ryman's history and stage without a scheduled group or fixed itinerary. The self-guided format means you control the pace, which works well if you're traveling solo, with family, or if you want to spend extra time with the exhibits that matter most to you.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

968 verified traveler reviews

5 ★764

4 ★140

3 ★33

2 ★14

1 ★17

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's included in the Ryman Auditorium self-guided tour?

Entry to the Ryman, the "Soul of Nashville" theater experience, access to five new exhibits with videos and artifacts, the Hatch Show Print gallery, and a souvenir photo opportunity onstage.

Do I need a guide for this tour?

No, it's self-guided. You move through the exhibits at your own pace. Video hosts like Marty Stuart and Nicole Kidman narrate the exhibits, but there's no live guide.

Can I take a photo onstage?

Yes, a souvenir photo onstage is included. Availability may vary depending on Ryman Auditorium performance schedules.

Is the Ryman Auditorium wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the entire venue is wheelchair accessible. Strollers and prams are also permitted.

How long does the self-guided tour take?

There's no fixed duration. Most visitors spend between 90 minutes and three hours, depending on how long they linger in each exhibit.

What are the five new exhibits?

Workin' on a Building, Showplace of the South, Mother Church of Country Music, Ryman Stage to Screen, and Ryman Renaissance.

Do I need to book in advance?

You'll receive a voucher to redeem at the Ryman box office on the day of your visit. Bring the voucher and a photo ID to collect your ticket.

Is there parking near the Ryman?

Public transportation options are available nearby. The venue is in downtown Nashville, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.