Six Reasons You Should Tour the Opry House
By Lane Vaughn
The Grand Ole Opry has had many homes throughout its 100-year history. After moving into five different locations (and even lovingly being kicked out of one), the Opry finally found its permanent home in 1974. Located just a few short minutes away from downtown Nashville, the Opry House offered new amenities—for the stars, spacious dressing rooms and areas to gather and rehearse; for the audience, air conditioning and cushioned seats. Since its opening, the Opry House has witnessed countless iconic moments—debuts, inductions, duets, groundbreaking performances, and more.
Visitors can tour the Opry House, taking in the history that has walked through the halls as well as seeing behind the scenes of a live, working venue where stars perform each night.
Haven’t been on a backstage tour yet? Here’s what you’re missing.
GET A GRAND OLE OPRY WELCOME IN THE CIRCLE ROOM
Our daytime backstage tours start in the Circle Room, home to an immersive theater experience where country stars (in an impressive hologram form) invite you into the magic behind 100 years of Opry history. Whether you’ve been a longtime fan of the Opry or you’re new to its mystique, this experience is certain to make an impression. We’ve even seen people come out of the Circle Room misty-eyed. It’s the perfect way to start your Opry journey.
WALK IN THE ARTISTS’ FOOTSTEPS
Continue your tour by seeing the famed Artist Entrance, a covered pathway where the evening’s artists arrive and check in for their show. Walk in their actual footsteps as you make your way backstage.
Easter Egg: Just outside the Artist Entrance, you’ll see a fountain. This was a gift to Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, otherwise known as Minnie Pearl. Designed by Tennessee sculptor Jesse C. Beegley, the fountain was a 25th wedding anniversary gift from Minnie’s husband, Henry Cannon. It lived in the backyard of Henry and Minnie’s home for many years before coming to the Opry.
SEND LETTERS TO THE STARS
Ever wanted to send a letter to Dolly Parton? You can! Send it to the Opry and it will make its way to one of 100+ the mailboxes assigned to active Opry members. It’s a true, functioning post office—Alan Jackson once delivered mail to this very complex before becoming an Opry Member and earning a mailbox himself. Opry stars often pick up their mail to read in their dressing rooms before a show; in fact, Chris Janson has said that he reads every letter that comes to his mailbox. If you want to contact any of the Opry members, send your letter to:
Grand Ole Opry
[Member Name]
2804 Opryland Dr.,
Nashville, TN 37214
HANG OUT LIKE THE OPRY FAMILY
Many venues have a green room, but do they have a Family Room? That is what we call the backstage space where artists gather with their families and friends. Here, they get a dose of inspiration from the dozens of framed photos depicting Opry legends and iconic moments, while relaxing and enjoying refreshments. If you take our Post-Show Tour, you can even get a taste of the famous backstage lemonade. This lemonade has become so beloved by Opry artists and guests that they nicknamed Diana, the employee who makes it, “Lemonade!”
Easter Egg: On the wall of the family room, you’ll find a mural depicting the backstage environment of the Opry in its early days—what Opry founder George D. Hay called a “Good Natured Riot.” In 2010, Nashville faced a historic flood, and much of the Opry house was damaged, including this mural. Though it has been lovingly restored, if you look closely, you can see the discoloration the flood water left on the mural.
STAND IN THE CIRCLE
After walking in the artists footsteps and seeing many other things along your tour—including plaques, artifacts, gifts from artists, dressing rooms, and rehearsal space—you’ll end your experience on our world-famous stage.* Stand inside the famous wooden circle, taken from the stage of Ryman Auditorium—the Opry’s most famous former home—when the show moved out of the Ryman in 1974. Get your picture made on the same wooden planks where countless icons have stood and let us officially welcome you into the Opry family.
*Since we are a working venue, this experience is occasionally unavailable due to operational constraints.
GO BEHIND THE AIRWAVES
Your daytime tour ticket gets you access to the Roy Acuff House just across the Opry Plaza. This house, where Opry legend Roy Acuff lived from 1984 until his death in 1992, now houses the studio for WSM Radio, the most famed country music station in the world and the radio home of the Opry. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the working radio studio that broadcasts the Opry show every Saturday night. Learn more about WSM Radio’s history and explore artifacts from the world’s longest-running show, broadcast continuously since 1925.
Easter Egg: When Opry announcer George D. Hay first called WSM Barn Dance the “Grand Ole Opry,” Fiddlin’ Sid Harkreader played his fiddle directly afterward. That fiddle is on display, as well as a harmonica pipe organ played by DeFord Bailey.
Whether you're a lifelong Opry enthusiast or discovering its magic for the first time, a tour of the Grand Ole Opry House lets you step into the heart of country music like never before. From walking the very same halls as legendary stars to experiencing the backstage buzz of the live venue environment, there’s something special at every turn. Tour the home of country music, take in 100 years of its history—and become part of writing its next chapter.
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