Grand Ole Opry, at Ryman Auditorium

It helps to be a fan of particularly schmaltzy country and bluegrass music, but even non-devotees of the genre should consider taking in a live performance of the famous Grand Old Opry (615-871-OPRY) radio show - these are held either at the Opryland Resort or (as pictured here) in downtown's historic Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Ave.), which is just a block of Broadway's honky-tonk action. The Opry consists of about three hours of variety-show-style entertainment, some of it hokey, some of it superb. It can be a great chance to see members of the vaunted Country Music Hall of Fame, along with up-and-coming stars.