A Most Unique Resort: Gaylord Opryland Resort

A One-of-a-Kind Resort in Music City    

Imagine a picturesque resort featuring acres of airy, indoor garden atriums from cascading waterfalls to a lazy river to lush gardens, and even an upscale water park.  Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is a one-of-a-kind resort that has fabulous atriums creating a sense of outdoors while inside a hotel.  Boasting 2,888 rooms and 9 acres of magnificent gardens, the Gaylord Opryland is the largest hotel in the United States not connected to a casino.  Located near the Cumberland River just outside Nashville, Tennessee, the Gaylord Opryland Resort began as the Opryland Hotel connected to the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland USA, a theme park.  It is amazing to see the continued growth of the Resort with the addition of the atriums, the convention center, and now their newest exciting attraction, SoundWaves, Nashville’s premier waterpark.

THE RESORT
The Gaylord Opryland Resort is an amazing and definitely one-of-a-kind.  It’s been several years since we visited, yet the Resort continues be thrilling.  With CoVid restriction recently lifted, the Resort is very busy with travelers.  Our King Room is conveniently located in the Cascades, near the front of the resort.  The room has a balcony with fantastic views of the Cascades Atrium of waterfalls, the Falls Bar and the ponds across the walkway. In this massive resort, we take a gentle stroll through the four atriums where tropical vegetation covers over nine indoor acres.

The Atriums
The Cascades is the first atrium upon entering the resort.  Here two waterfalls 44-feet high cascade down the rocks to a pool.  Walking along the atrium and listening to the roar of water, we find so many lush plants, and a gentle pond with rocks, fountains and flowers along the walkway.  Ah, this is like being lost in a faraway island.  Carefully controlling the climate in the atrium, giant palm trees, beautiful blooming orchids and even banana trees thrive in this jungle like environment.

Taking the walkway and escalator, the next atrium is the Garden Conservatory.  On the lower level is the gazebo, gardens, and fountains.  The elevated walkway provides views of the gardens and features displays of huge guitars hanging in the atrium.  Walking through the Garden Conservatory is relaxing.  Additionally, there are eateries on the upper level and lower levels.

As the walkway winds into the Delta atrium, we sense the size of this massive atrium.  Here the Delta River, a quarter-mile-long, winds around Delta Island with restaurants and shops.  Delta River actually contains water of more than 1,700 rivers from around the globe.  We spot finned guests in the river of catfish, carp and koi.  Guests can take a boat ride on the Delta River then take in the Delta Fountain Show.  Especially at night, it is fun and soothing to watch the lights and water dancing in the fountain.  Amazing to look above and see the structure to support and create the glass ceiling of this huge atrium.

Arriving at the Magnolia, the original hotel, we pass the WSM fishbowl-style studio.  The infamous radio station gave birth to the Grand Ole Opry in 1925.  It’s on 650AM and now broadcast live from the Gaylord Opryland.  In the Magnolia lobby is the grand staircase.  Most impressive with the Tiffany style chandelier and the single stairway dividing into two separate staircases it brings visions of grand staircases in Southern mansions.  We enjoy strolling the atriums and getting to learn the layout of the hotel.  Each has its own personality.  Cascades is noisy with the waterfall while the Garden Conservatory is serene.

SoundWaves
Music City’s newest upscale water attraction is SoundWaves, a massive four acre waterpark at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.  SoundWaves features both indoor and outdoor water activities.  Fittingly for Music City, there is a variety of play structures, lazy and rapid rivers, and water slides blended harmoniously with music.  Stepping into this 111,000 square feet of indoor water attractions is initially overwhelming.  Overhead the glass ceiling allows sunlight for getting a sun-kissed glow inside.  Rides and water activities are intermingled with plant beds and walls of living plants that continue the warm feeling of the other garden atriums.  All is done in a sleek style plus there are plenty tables and chairs for relaxing.

Indoor SoundWaves
Wow!  Watching the Crowd Surfer, known as the FlowRider it allows two people to surf or attempt to surf.  As we step into the Up Tempo Rapid River, we are swept away along this river passing under waterfalls and spray features.  In the Down Tempo Lazy River, grabbing an inner tube, it is a gentle float through cavernous rock features with LED lighting and relaxing music.  Thrill seekers will be energized with the indoor water slides.  Rapid Remix is exciting with music pumping out while sliding through a vortex of loops.  The Groovin’ Lagoon Activity Pool, youngsters are enjoying the pool, attempting to climb a rock walk, carefully walking or crawling on the lily pad walk, shooting hoops, or walking into the 30’ water curtain.  A waterpark for all ages, SoundWaves has a splash pad and pool designed for young children, as well as, a multi-level play structure small and medium slides, shallow water and spray features.

Outdoor SoundWaves
Stepping outside is 106,000 square feet of EXCITEMENT.  Thrill-seekers can experience a near-vertical drop into a looping water slide, take the extreme high-speed open flume body ride, feel the sensation of a six-story free fall, or race to the bottom through a 360 degree loops to be the first at the finish line.  For a gentle adventure there is a multi-level play structure for kids of all ages with small and medium slides, shallow water and spray features.  Personally, we opt for the more relaxing of the tidal wave pool.  Here waves go to 6- feet-deep while music jams from a giant LED screen.  After trying out our level of exciting water attractions, we seek the serenity and quiet of the adult only pool.

General Jackson Showboat
A scenic, relaxing, and entertaining lunch cruise on the General Jackson Showboat is fun.  The General Jackson is one of the largest showboats ever built.  A paddlewheel boat the grand General Jackson arrived by river to Nashville in 1985.  Boarding the boat, we enjoy the live entertainment on the upper deck.  Then taking time to stroll the decks we stop by the giant red paddlewheel.  It is exciting as the giant paddlewheel starts to turn to begin our river cruise.  Along the shoreline of the Cumberland River are homes, boats, and barges.  The call sounds for guests to go their assigned dining room for lunch.  Inside the Victorian Theatre we enjoy a tasty three-course meal.  After lunch, we return to the outer decks as the boat cruises into Nashville.  Here we see the end of iconic Broadway Street with its honkytonk bars and Nashville landmarks.

At 1:30PM back in the Victorian Theatre, we enjoy dessert and delight in the show, “Tennessee  Legends”.  A HIGH ENERGY show of live entertainment showcasing country music and country music stars from Tennessee such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Elvis.  Heck, we recognize all the songs and country stars so we sing along with the songs.

Gaylord Opryland Resort at Night
A must on any visit to Gaylord Opryland Resort is an evening stroll through the various atriums.  Fantastic light displays in each atrium enhance the magical feel of this one-of-a-kind resort.  The photos below show the magnificence of the resort at night.

Gaylord Opryland Lines up Family-Friendly Activities
Families visiting Gaylord Opryland will find a variety of activities at this dynamic resort  On our visit in the summer a feature activity with events designed for the whole family is the Pirates and Princesses at Gaylord Opryland Resort.  Some of the activities are a Treasure Hunt, a boat battle, royal carriage ride, escape room and royal afternoon tea.  It also has an adults only Three Sheets Speakeasy, that sounds interesting.
Each season Gaylord Opryland features a family fun activities.  In autumn it’s Goblins & Giggles with a variety of exciting events for all ages. Once Upon A Spring has an interactive live show – Paint Me a Fairytale, scavenger hunts, cookies decorating and more activities to celebrate the season.  Merry Christmas!  A fantastic way to celebrate the holiday season in Nashville is gathering your family for holiday fun during A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland.  Explore acres of twinkling lights & decorations and exciting holiday activities, shows, and events for a most amazing and fantastic Christmas.  Plan early, this event fills up fast!
From seasonal events and entertainment to high-end amenities and stunning spaces, Gaylord Opryland welcomes guests to enjoy more of everything they love.  The Resort boasts a wide selection of award-winning restaurants & bars, the world-class Relâche Spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.  Gaylord Opryland is definitely a one-of-a-kind resort!  Visitors will be excited to experience this beautiful property and sneak off for some excitement in Music City, downtown Nashville.  The Resort has many activities so be sure to check out their event calendar to select the best for a visit.

 If you go:
Be sure to tour the atriums. There is good signage but one can easily get disoriented.
Restaurants are not all open currently, so be sure to check for dining options at the Resort.
Complimentary shuttles are available to go into Downtown Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry (shows) and the General Jackson showboat.
A walking path is available for walking to Opry Mills Mall and the Grand Ole Opry House – just about ½ mile walk.