7 Things You Can Only Do at Gaylord Opryland Resort | Opry (2024)

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July 15, 2019

Gaylord Opryland isn’t just a place to stay when you come to the Grand Ole Opry. The resort is a destination all its own.

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Night at the Opry Package
Combining two outstanding experiences for an exceptional visit to Nashville — enjoy your stay at Gaylord Opryland while taking in the sights and sounds of the Grand Ole Opry. Our convenient package includes room accommodations, show tickets, and more.

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1. Wander the jaw-dropping gardens

You can’t miss Gaylord Opryland’s lush gardens — literally. Tropical vegetation covers more than nine indoor acres. The resort’s cascading waterfalls, the tallest of which is 44-feet high, make you feel as if you’re on a faraway island. Lose yourself in wonder as you discover giant palms, stunning orchids, and even banana trees. You won’t find those growing natively in Tennessee, but thanks to the atrium’s glass ceiling and horticulturists’ meticulous control of the building’s humidity, these plants thrive as if they were in the jungle.

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2. Hop aboard the Delta Riverboat ...

Sailing all the world’s rivers would take years, but you can conquer many in a single ride aboard the Delta Riverboat. The resort’s quarter-mile-long indoor Delta River contains the water of more than 1,700 rivers from around the globe. Hop aboard a fun-filled cruise and learn about the interesting origins of the hotel, one of the largest in the world. Be on the lookout for resort’s finned guests. Catfish, carp, and koi can all be found in the Delta River.

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3. ... or take a cruise on the General Jackson Showboat

If you want an even grander adventure on the water, look no further than to theGeneral Jackson Showboat, which is docked just a short distance away from the resort. This stately steamboat harks to its 19th-century predecessors that sailed along the Cumberland River, putting Nashville on the map as a trading center.

On the popular midday Taste of Tennessee cruise, get a sampling of the many styles of music that made this state famous — from bluegrass to country to rhythm and blues — all while enjoying a three-course meal and views of iconic Nashville landmarks along the way.

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4. Splash around at SoundWaves

In true Nashville fashion, music and water blend harmoniously atSoundWaves,the city’s only resort water experience. If you’re a thrill-seeker, jump in a mega raft and enjoy the ride on Rapid Remix, a waterslide that pumps out the jams as you take on vortex loops. Looking for a mellower experience? The Down Tempo Lazy River has got you covered with relaxing music that you can float along to. When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Decibels where you can enjoy live music every weekend through September on the restaurant’s patio.

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5. Come see us at the Grand Ole Opry

When you stay at the resort, you’re also staying next door to where country music lives. The Grand Ole Opry is “the show that made country music famous,” featuring your favorite legends, today’s superstars, and tomorrow’s hit-makers. Eight to 12 artists take the stage at each show, and luckily for resort guests, Nashville’s best entertainment is just a short complimentary shuttle ride or leisurely stroll away.

But don’t wait until showtime to experience the Opry magic. The brand-new immersive theater experience, now part of thedaytime tour,is a moving tribute to the country music artists who’ve walked acrossOpry’s iconic 6-foot circle of wood,which sits centerstage. “I’ve always said that the circle still contains the dust from Hank Williams’ cowboy boots,” Opry member Brad Paisley has said. Now your boots can walk across it, too.

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6. See WSM broadcast live at its fish-bowl studio

Have you ever wondered to yourself if your favorite radio personalities look the way they sound? You won’t have to anymore when you swing by the WSM fishbowl-style studio just off the Magnolia lobby. The radio station that gave birth to the Grand Ole Opry in 1925, 650 AM WSM, still broadcasts live from Nashville inside the Gaylord Opryland.

You’ll get an intimate peek of the radio show’s operations. Start your day with some early-morning banter courtesy ofcountry radio sentinel Bill Codyand Charlie Mattos’ onCoffee, Country, and Cody— you never know when one of your favorite artists might be in studio — and close out your evening with some classic country tunes that Eddie Stubbs is spinning onThe Eddie Stubbs Show.

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7. Pose next to your idols at Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussaudshas a number of locations around the world, but its Nashville wax attraction located inside Opry Mills Mall is the only one that’s completely themed around music, featuring more than 50 wax figures, 30 of which are unique to Music City. In the Opry Finale exhibit, you’ll get to make your debut alongside Opry members Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban and more. Don’t forget to take a selfie!

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7 Things You Can Only Do at Gaylord Opryland Resort | Opry (2024)

FAQs

What is Gaylord Opryland known for? ›

The largest non-gaming, in-hotel exhibition space in the world with over 700,000+ square feet of flexible meeting space. The largest non-gaming, in-hotel exhibition space in the world with more than 700,000 square feet of flexible meeting space!

What is Gaylord hotels known for? ›

Gaylord Hotels is the large convention hotel brand of Marriott International. As of 2024, it consists of five large hotels with a total of 9,918 rooms, along with attached convention centers and one overflow support hotel property, in addition to one hotel with 1,903 rooms in the pipeline.

Can you walk around Opryland without staying there? ›

“Can you just visit and spend the day without staying the night at the Resort?” We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to reach out to Gaylord Opryland with your questions. Our resort is open for the public so you may enjoy the many amenities, shops and restaurants we offer to our guests.

What's inside the Opryland Hotel? ›

As we looked through the images of the enormous resort—the indoor river, the shops made to look like the French Quarter, the sky-high atrium filled with trees and plants, the sparkling chandeliers, the 12 restaurants, the two arcades, the indoor pool, the waterfalls and fountain shows set to lights, and most ...

Why did they shut down Opryland? ›

Its location made it prone to occasional flooding, and its size did not allow for much expansion as consumer preferences changed. The primary reason for the closure was the fact that Gaylord Properties, the park's parent company, wanted to replace it with a year-round attraction.

How long is the boat ride at Opryland Hotel? ›

Boat ride is approximately 12-15 minutes in length on our 1/4 mile long river in the resort's Delta Atrium. Seating is General Admission as guided by your boat captain.

Why is it called Gaylord? ›

The Origins of the Gaylord Box

The word “gaylord” comes from the Old French word gaillard, which meant joyful or high-spirited. The term evolved into a family name of Norman French origin. Since then, there have been many esteemed individuals with the surname Gaylord, including politicians, journalists and artisans.

Why is it called Gaylord Resort? ›

Gaylord CEO Colin Reed said, "Research showed the Gaylord name connotes an upscale and high quality image that accurately reflects the brand." The Florida property was renamed Gaylord Palms and the Texas property was briefly renamed Gaylord Opryland Texas, before taking the Gaylord Texan name prior to its opening.

Why is the hotel called Gaylord? ›

1983: After American General acquired NLT in a hostile takeover, the "non-core assets" including the Grand Ole Opry, WSM and the Opryland Hotel were sold for $250 million to Edward L. Gaylord, and later became part of what became the publicly held Gaylord Entertainment Company.

Is there anything left of Opryland? ›

Gaylord announced that around two-thirds of Opryland Themepark would remain, including existing rides and shows. The plans for Destination Opryland were quietly abandoned, and only Opry Mills came to fruition.

How much is a night at Opryland? ›

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center from $339.

Can you walk through Gaylord Palms for free? ›

beautiful and free to walk thru.

Do rooms at Opryland Hotel have refrigerators? ›

Hotel Amenities

All rooms are equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, mini refrigerator, in-room safe and coffee maker. Location: The resort is a short five minute drive from the Grand Ole Opry.

Does the Opryland Hotel have a pool? ›

Three Sparkling Pools

The Relâche indoor pool is a tropical paradise with a designated lap lane and plush chaise lounges. The Cascades outdoor pool area offers 2 inviting pools, a heated whirlpool and sunning area as well as a poolside bar and grill.

What time is the Opryland Fountain Show? ›

Hydrobeats Fountain Show

You'll be swept away by this breathtaking union of water, music and light. Shows are 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily in the Delta Atrium.

What's the difference between the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland? ›

The New Opryland is the normal home of the Grand Old Opry now and is located about 20-25 minutes outside of Nashville and most of the year that is where the Opry shows are broadcast from. Hope this answers your question!

How expensive is Opryland Hotel? ›

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center from $339.

Does it cost to walk through the Gaylord Opryland hotel? ›

Just to walk around, there is no fee and you can see everything you would see on the boat. Walk along the skywalk and then below and there are different things to see! There are restaurants in the hotel and a live radio station as well as shops. There are many places to take beautiful pictures!

What famous people have stayed at the Opryland Hotel? ›

A number of celebrities have stayed here, including George H.W. and Barbara Bush, George W.

References

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