Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour Ticket Nashville

The Grand Ole Opry House behind the scenes

The Grand Ole Opry House opened in 1974 and has hosted the weekly Opry show ever since, after the programme moved from the Ryman Auditorium downtown. On a normal day the building is quiet, and the backstage tour takes you through corridors, green rooms and spaces the audience never sees, where performers wait, warm up and meet one another before they go on.

The tour is a good answer to the question of what to do in Nashville during the day, because the Opry mostly performs in the evening. You learn how a show of many artists is run, who introduces the acts, how the band is arranged and how the stage is changed between performers. A guided behind-the-scenes tour like this makes a later show feel even more personal.

Artists' dressing rooms and the stories of the stars

The dressing rooms are the highlight for most visitors. Each has its own character, with photographs, signatures and memorabilia from the singers who have used it, and the guide shares stories about the stars who prepared there, from long-time members to young artists making their debut. Some rooms are decorated with memorabilia from the artists who have used them.

These stories turn names into people: how a newcomer felt on a first night, how a veteran calmed the nerves of a younger singer, and what the Opry means to those on its stage. If you wonder whether the Grand Ole Opry backstage tour is worth it, this is the part that answers it, especially for those who already know the songs.

The stage and the famous circle

The tour includes a chance to be photographed on the stage, where audiences have watched the Opry for decades. In the centre lies a six-foot circle of oak cut from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium, the show's previous venue. Artists traditionally stand on it to sing, and standing near it with the empty hall in front of you is one of the best memories of a visit to Nashville.

Photography rules are explained by the guide at the start. The space may be used for rehearsals or private events, so the order of the tour and what you can access can change on the day. Because groups are small, there is time to ask questions and to take your time over the photograph.

Planning your backstage tour: times, tickets and combining with a show

The daytime tour takes about one hour and leaves from the Grand Ole Opry House every half hour from 09:30 to 12:00, depending on the date. The building is at 2804 Opryland Drive, in the Opryland district about 15 to 25 minutes by car from downtown Nashville. Places are limited, so booking ahead is wise, particularly at weekends and in school holidays.

This option is the daytime backstage tour only; a show ticket is not included. If you want to see the Opry as well, you can book our Grand Ole Opry show ticket for an evening, and the two together make a full Opry experience. Wear comfortable shoes, since you walk through the building throughout the hour.