Ryman Auditorium

First things first: The best way to experience the Ryman is by attending a concert, period. This is my favorite place to see live music in the world, and it is a singular experience for any music fan. If you can only see one concert in Nashville, do it here, not at the Grand Ole Opry, which is more a variety show than concert. The uniqueness of the Ryman experience is partly because of the history of the building (more on that below) and its acoustics, but also because every artist who plays here has such a deep respect for the place, and they want to do it justice. Over the years, I’ve seen Todd Snider and Margot Price hop on stage with Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell, and I’ve seen Jason Isbell hop on stage with his old band, the Drive By Truckers. At a Ryman show, there is a sense that anything could happen because it really could. Tip: If you buy tickets on the first level, try to stay within rows AA–M. Rows N–Z are under the overhang, and while views aren't technically obstructed, they're not great; balcony seats are much better if you need to go to the second floor.

If you are not much for live music but want to experience the Mother Church, the self-guided tours are a good way to do it. The site of the “Grand Ole Opry” broadcast from 1943 to 1974, the Ryman Auditorium is the most historic venue in the world of country music. It was originally built in 1892 by riverboat captain Tom Ryman as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, a permanent location for tent revival-style gospel meetings. You’ll know immediately when you walk into the theater that it was built to be a place of worship, with its arched stained-glass windows and oak pews. The wrap-around pews and curves of the room are one element that helps create a warm, clear sound environment that’s unique to the space. The Ryman does offer excellent guided backstage tours where guides really bring the history to life, so if you’re not much for reading, consider that option (and go early in the day; they often have to stop those early so that band’s can do sound checks for that night’s performance). They also offer post-show tours some nights after Opry at the Ryman shows, and they have a sound booth where you can make your own recording. For most people, the self-guided tour will suffice. If you do the self-guided tour, when you walk into the balcony, take the door on the right. To the right side of the theater entry on the white brick wall, see if you can find and fit your hand into the handprint left by a construction worker during the original 1892 construction. Also, know that the photo they’ll take of you on the stage will cost you a whomping $20+ to take home. While the Ryman is known best as the home of country music, it’s also the home of bluegrass. On December 8, 1945, Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe took the stage, playing a concert people in attendance remember as incendiary.