Yes, you can walk around Opryland Hotel.


I walk around Opryland Hotel often just as a place to chill with some friends or family. There are lots of great restaurants and can’t forget the great scenery.

You can walk around Opryland Hotel to enjoy the sights for free. There is even free parking at Oprymills Mall that involves just a short walk to the Delta atrium entrance.  Also, you do not have to be a guest staying in any of the rooms to tour all the beautiful gardens.

What kind of cool stuff will you see walking around at the Opryland Hotel? Well, let me tell ya about it.

Walk around Opryland Hotel Delta Atrium. This is the Delta Island where the shops are.
Opryland Hotel Delta Atrium

Walk around the Opryland Hotel Atriums

Opryland Hotel has 3 main atriums to walk around for free. I’ll detail each of the different atriums later in the article. There is also Soundwaves Water Park, I’ll get to that in a different article.

All three atriums combined are about 9 acres total. Each atrium has its own set of special features such as lights, overhead walking paths, and awesome water features. There are also lots of great restaurants to choose from as well. There are seasonal attractions throughout the year that you should not miss! The Christmas lights are the biggest attraction for the hotel. Click here to check out a water fountain light show during Christmas.

Let’s talk about the different atriums and what each has to offer.

The Delta Atrium

This is the main and largest atrium of the three. If you walk in the entrance coming from the “Opryland free parking area” this will bring you directly into the Delta. There are a couple of things you will notice right away as you come out of the lobby into the atrium to walk into Opryland Hotel. To your left, you will see the area where the little boutique shops and restaurants are. Kinda directly in front of you will be the Delta indoor river and the dancing water fountain. The “Delta” gets its looks and vibe from the ambiance of New Orleans/French Quarters.

Book Your Room: Gaylord Opryland Hotel

Delta Riverboat Cruises

Did I say river?? Yep, sure did. There is a 1/4 mile long river that even includes a boat ride if you want. Hop aboard the Delta Riverboat and take a relaxing cruise while learning the history and origins of the hotel. If you have your little ones with you, have them keep an out for the fish in the river. Sorry, no fishing is allowed. Oh, one interesting fun fact about the river. The river contains water from more than 1,700 rivers from around the world. I’m sure you expected some great sights walking around inside Opryland Hotel, I doubt you expected a river inside.

Opryland Hotel Delta Riverboat Cruise
Opryland Hotel Delta Riverboat Cruise

Delta Shops and Restaurants

As I mentioned above, coming in from the doors going to the free parking area, to your left will be the shops and restaurants. There is a good variety of foods to choose from such as burgers, pizza, beer on tap and in bottles, a bakery shop, an ice cream shop, and on down the path a bit is a high-end steak house.

As for the shops, there is a good selection of those as well. You can of course purchase the typical souvenir t-shirts, hats, small collectibles to put on a shelf. But that is not all, you will have to come to check it out to see what all is available in the Delta.

Opryland Hotel Delta Atrium Pastry Shop
Opryland Hotel Delta Atrium Pastry Shop

Other Opryland Hotel Delta sights

As you walk around Opryland Hotel in the Delta, you will walk by dancing fountains, small waterfalls, and seasonal displays. There is also a beautiful gazebo that makes a great photo opportunity for you and your date.

Garden Conservatory of Opryland Hotel

This area has the most trails to walk around in the Opryland Hotel. This part of the atrium was modeled after a Victorian-style garden. There are thousands of tropical plants that include 60-foot tall palm and banana trees, many waterfalls, fountains, and even some gazebos.

Garden Conservatory Restaurants

There is a few really good place to eat in this area with a great scenic view of the gardens. Right as you walk into the Garden from the Magnolia area, just to your right is a great little stand with some delicious frozen treats. Most of the restaurants are in the Delta or the Cascades.

Multilevel walking paths

There is an upper-level walking path that offers awe-inspiring views of the beautiful garden below. You can see the paths below, water fountains, waterfalls, statues, and gazebos.

Of the three atriums you can walk around in at the Opryland Hotel, the Garden Conservatory has the most interesting walking paths in my opinion. There is one path that takes you behind a small waterfall. There are little bridges that take you over small streams that have Koi fish in them. From a scenic point of view, there is more variety in this atrium. For a good chill time walking around the Opryland Hotel, this is my favorite area.

Maps to help walking around the Opryland Hotel
Maps are placed throughout the hotel and atriums to help guide your way.

The Cascades Atrium

The Cascades doesn’t have as much of the densely packed plants and walking paths. It’s more of a “rocks and waterfalls” area, with a really nice restaurant and a lounge. The main front lobby is connected to The Cascades as well.

The largest waterfall of all the Opryland Hotel is located in the Cascades. Actually, there are two of them there. There is a cave-like walking path going behind the big falls where there are two “windows” through the rock to see the back of the waterfall. The waterfalls are right beside The Falls Bar and Lounge.

Over around Wasabi Sushi, the “Lake” has dancing water fountains that shoot water back and forth from rock to rock. If you have children with you, this is a good place to get a better view of the larger fish.

Some people like staying in the Cascades

It would also be good to mention that from the people I’ve spoken with and reviews I’ve read, getting a balcony room overlooking the Cascades is the best in the house! Mostly due to the awesome views of the waterfalls. Also, the crashing of the water from the falls is so very peaceful to most people. Now if you are one of those people that must have it totally quiet, maybe your best choice would be the Garden or the Delta atriums.

Chuck G.

I have lived near Nashville most of my life. I really enjoy exploring what the "Music City" has to offer so can help visitors and locals have a great time in Nashville.

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