Grand Ole Opry Reviews (Nashville, Tennessee)

Precision Dancing to Holiday Music

Marietta, Georgia

December 20, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Our 45th anniversary this year was spent watching the Rockettes do their "thing" on the Opry House stage. It was one of the best anniversary celebrations in my memory.The Rockettes are more than famous for their precision steps and colorful ...Read more Our 45th anniversary this year was spent watching the Rockettes do their "thing" on the Opry House stage. It was one of the best anniversary celebrations in my memory.

The Rockettes are more than famous for their precision steps and colorful costumes. This does not need to be related again, but the Show that presents the Rockettes to their best was well executed by both the ensemble dancers and the stars of the show,

Each of the 11 scenes has a theme, but all the themes are interwoven to produce a great story. We start in the city with the ensemble singing and dancing to "Need a Little Christmas" The Rockettes come in with wreaths that reverse from gold to either red or green. The precision tapping and flipping of the wreaths makes for an enjoyable opening act.

Santa arrives in scene 2 and he stays with us for the rest of the show. The third scene is a round of song and dance "Twelve Days of Christmas" style. Each day is portrayed with different steps and arm movements repeated within each verse. Scene 4 brings an untraditional Nutcracker Suite. All the characters are stuffed animals. The Chinese dancers are pandas and the Russian dancers are cossack bears. The Sugar Plum Fairy is an oversized teddy bear with a pink tutu and shocking pink lips in a perpetual kiss! The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers is the 5th scene and the Rockettes show that practice makes perfect! The following scenes bring more song and dance fantasies brought to life. My favorite was the Carol of the Bells where the ensemble sings and the Rockettes (with glockenspiels on their backs) dance and chime in unison.

The Living Nativity is the closing scene. Here live animals (camel, donkey and sheep) are paraded across the stage by costumed ensemble members as the story of the Nativity (as told by Luke) is intoned and several favorite carols are sung.

It amazes me that these professionals can put on several shows a day and still smile while up on stage. My feet hurt after a solid day of walking the grounds - it is unimaginable how their feet must hurt after hours on stage and in practice. They must be in much better shape than any sports idol and have a much more even temperament so to endure the pain.

I can see why the New York residents regard this as a heritage event in their city. It is wonderful that the Rockettes have travelling troupes to bring this beautiful show to the rest of the country. Close

Grand Ole Opry at Last

by weeblewobble46

Marietta, Georgia

October 1, 2009

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We arrived in Nashville in mid afternoon and quickly changed into jeans for our night at the Opry. We found that our choice of attire was the dominant choice of most of the patrons, although there were a few that were in shorts and T's and a few ...Read more We arrived in Nashville in mid afternoon and quickly changed into jeans for our night at the Opry. We found that our choice of attire was the dominant choice of most of the patrons, although there were a few that were in shorts and T's and a few that were done up in sequined tops and bedazzled jeans. (They must have taken lessons from Manuel and Nudie because some of the designs were very detailed.)

The Opry starts at 7PM and the doors open around 6:15. This gives you time to purchase some food and beverages before going to your seat. Most of the patrons arrive around 6:45 and the aisles get crowded so try to get there early, if possible. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, if you choose. Food is the typical hot dogs, burgers and fries.

We had seats in the back of the main floor area and I would suggest that you try to get seats in the front area (sections 1-7) and in the closest rows possible (they start at A and progress through the alphabet). We were barely able to see the performers, let alone tell who they were. If it wasn't for the big screen at the back of the stage, we wouldn't have had a clue who was performing on stage. We were lucky to "see" Pam Tillis, Billy Dean and Craig Morgan. Pam Tillis stopped the show with a rendition of the Beatle's "I Want To Hold Your Hand" that brought country into new areas. The harmony was terrific and the bluegrass twang made me want to run right out and get the CD.

We took the Backstage Tour (tickets available at the ticket office or in the Gift Shop) after the show. Everyone met in the lobby and were escorted back into the theater where we were shown a short video history of the Opry. We then were taken to the artist arrival area and shown the mailboxes that receive the fan mail (if you don't know the address and box number - just put the artist's name and "Grand Ole Opry at Opryland, Nashville, TN" and it will get to them). And you thought only Santa had that kind of service!!!

The dressing rooms and green room were next on the tour. At the end we were able to stand on the stage and see what the actual performers see. There is a circle of wood from the old Ryman stage in the center of the new stage, It was taken from the wing area where the artists enter so the Opry could be sure that every member had walked on it. (It seems that some members avoid the center of the stage so that area was not considered).

The tour takes about an hour and our guides, Michelle and Ms. Eloise, were willing to take questions that were not covered by the tour patter. It was very informative and fun to boot.

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From journal Nashville, TN

Grand Ole Opry

by cmeekins03

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

May 9, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo We really didn't want to see a show at the Opry since we don't care for country music and the shows would start too late for the kids. On the other hand, how can you go to Nashville and not see the Grand Ole Opry?Luckily for us there are four large ...Read more We really didn't want to see a show at the Opry since we don't care for country music and the shows would start too late for the kids. On the other hand, how can you go to Nashville and not see the Grand Ole Opry?

Luckily for us there are four large areas inside the hotel filled with gardens which include waterfalls and even a river with a boat. Everything was just gorgeous. We managed to make it through three of the four areas before heading back to the resort for lunch. (We missed the Magnolias room.) The only fee associated with walking around the gardens is the parking fee which ended up just over $13 with taxes.

It's hard to pick which area is the best but overall our favorite seemed to be the room where there were several dining options and beautiful tall waterfalls which you can even walk behind. We spent quite a bit of time on several levels within that atrium. There were just so many tucked away places that would be great for reading and other great spots to socialize. Though I think pictures turned out great, there is nothing better than the real thing.

Okay, so what are the downsides? #1 - Taking a stroller somewhere has never been such a pain! There are stairs all over the place and you can't get to some of the areas without them. While we were leaving we helped out someone in a wheelchair and she was frustrated by the whole experience. What a shame! #2 - After awhile the youngest was very bored except for whenever we found the next waterfall. Our kids love walking around outside to look at our garden but that takes all of 5 to 10 minutes. #3 - They are redoing some of the shopping areas and I believe adding dining to the room with the river so it was very loud in certain areas of that garden.

I would definitely go back but I plan to bring more snacks and take more stops because there is no way I'd bring a stroller through it again! Even if you aren't a huge nature lover, there is no doubt that the sheer size and planning put into the ambience will impress anyone. Close

From journal Nashville Tennessee With Toddlers

Grand Ole Opry

by saythankyou

Phoenix, Arizona

April 11, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The Grand Ole Opry is one of my favorite places to visit while in Nashville.On the Saturday before Easter, we attended the Opry for the second time. The headliners were Taylor Swift, Allison Krauss, Bucky Covington, and Emerson Drive.The Opry is an ...Read more

From journal Nashville - Easter Weekend 2007

Grand Ole Opry

by CurlyGirl

New York, New York

December 24, 2006

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You just can't go to Nashville and not visit the Grand Ole Opry. Though it's not the same as it once was, and the Opryland theme park is gone, the music and the performers are evergreen at this famous singing joint.Enjoy five or six different ...Read more

From journal Nashville in the Summer

Grand Ole Opry

by Red Mezz

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

July 24, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo It's impossible to review the city of Nashville and not include the legendary Grand Ole Opry...one of the biggest tourist attractions to the city. The two seem to go hand in hand, you hardly seem to hear one name with out the other. If you are a ...Read more It's impossible to review the city of Nashville and not include the legendary Grand Ole Opry...one of the biggest tourist attractions to the city.
The two seem to go hand in hand, you hardly seem to hear one name with out the other. If you are a country music fan, either from today, or from back in the good old days when the Opry first began, or even just have a soft spot for the special style of country music and its influence on the city, then The Grand Ole Opry is something you really shouldn't miss.
It's not a cheap attraction, although there is free admission to the Grand Ole Opry museum next door with exhibits honoring the careers of a vast list of legendary country music stars. To see a live performance in the Opry, the tickets range from $30-$50, which isn't pocket change but is actually pretty good value for what you can get and some of the people who play here.
Having lived in the Nashville area for so long I had, of course, never been myself until some friends from Houston came to visit and wanted to do the town. The Opry was, of course, high on their list of things they wanted to see and do.
There is a wonderful intimacy to the size and venue at the Opry. It's hard to explain with out having been there yourself, but I went in expecting it to be like every other live music performance I'd ever been to in Nashville (and that's been quite a few over the years) and came out with a whole new admiration and respect for the place. One of the shows we saw was Doug Stone in the second rows of the Grand Ole Opry House, and all I can say is that it was like Doug Stone had come to do a personal performance for me and my friends. The artists have a well developed sense of awe and admiration for the place, and that passes straight on to the viewer. I have seen so many live music performances in my life I lost count long ago...but all of them chase the Opry for first. Doug Stone was not, by a long stretch, the best performer I've ever seen; but the performance in this historical living museum of Nashville's heritage is something that stands on it's own to this day.
The list of performers almost constantly playing at the Opry is always impressive, and there are a variety of options (including a back stage tour) depending on your level of interest.
This is The experience of Nashville experiences.
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From journal The Southern Sounds of Music City....

Grand Ole Opry

by lady105

Brooklyn, New York

December 23, 2005

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We were there on the 80th birthday of the Grand Old Opry and had purchased tickets online months in advance for the Friday-night show. We were supposed to see Diamond Rio, which we were really looking forward to. Because they decided to televise the ...Read more

From journal Traffic Nightmare in Nashville

Grand Ole Opry

by amjohnson

Holly Grove, Arkansas

September 23, 2005

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During one night of our trip, we visited the Grand Ole Opry. It was a great show with some great performers. The theater was very nice and comfortable. The chairs were soft and really comfortable to sit in. The theater was sat up in a way where ...Read more

From journal Weekend Trip to Nashville

Grand Ole Opry

by 13DeanG

Asheville, North Carolina

April 24, 2005

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Great! If you only do only one activity while in Nashville, do not leave without seeing the Grand Ole Opry. The night I visited, they were broadcasting the show to the troops in Iraq.

From journal Nashville Week

Grand Ole Opry

by chadk78

Blacksburg, South Carolina

March 5, 2005

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No trip to Nashville is complete without seeing the Grand Ole Opry in person. It is what has made the city famous, and for almost 80 years, it has played host to the world's greatest country musicians on the weekends. Many of the older performers, ...Read more

From journal Music City: Not Just About Music

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