
How to Spend 1 Day in Nashville
Here’s how to dive into the very best of Nashville in just one jam-packed day.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort, known to many as the Opryland Hotel, is practically a destination all on its own. The grounds of this resort and convention center in the heart of Nashville include nine acres of indoor gardens, climate-controlled glass atriums, and even an indoor river that visitors can navigate on a Delta flatboat.
A stay at Opryland offers a big dose of Southern hospitality and comfort. With nearly 3,000 guest rooms, 15 eateries, three pools, a fitness center, a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor water attractions, and a world-class golf course, this property allows guests to experience dining, entertainment, and family fun all in one location. If you’re not staying at Opryland, book a guided tour that includes a visit to the Grand Ole Opry.
Download the hotel’s app to help you navigate the property.
Admission to the resort’s popular SoundWaves water attraction is only guaranteed by booking the overnight package; day passes may be offered to hotel guests on a first come, first served basis.
The riverboat ride takes about 15 minutes and takes place on an all-electric flatboat.
The resort is located at 2800 Opryland Drive, near the corner of Opry Mills Drive. Visitors can request a shuttle from the airport for a fee or rent a car. If driving from the airport, follow Interstate 40 west to exit 215B, and travel along Briley Parkway to exit 12 for McGavock Pike toward Opryland Hotel/Convention Center/Music Valley Drive. Taxis and ridesharing services are also available.
If you’re visiting the hotel, plan to arrive late in the afternoon to catch the fountain shows, which start at 6pm. The resort is very popular during the holiday season, when the hotel is festooned with lights and decorations. If you visit during the holidays, make sure to plan ahead for activities such as tubing and ice skating, which are free but require reservations.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort offers round-trip shuttle service to Grand Ole Opry performances. Shows at the Grand Ole Opry include a changing lineup of artists and a variety of music styles. The famous Nashville stage show, which began at the historic Ryman Auditorium, moved to its new space in 1974 but took a piece of its old home with it: An 8-foot circle of hardwood from the Ryman stage now sits in the new venue.