Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 264,670	$ 176,100	$ 159,366
Amounts to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	10,190	(52,637)	321
Depreciation and amortization	120,876	111,959	109,816
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,632	5,350	4,863
Impairment charges	23,783
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings on held-to-maturity securities		35,418
Write-off of deferred financing costs	1,956	925
(Income) loss from joint ventures	(125,005)	4,402	2,794
Stock-based compensation expense	7,656	6,640	6,128
Changes in:
Trade receivables	(8,320)	(9,702)	7,215
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	22,201	17,189	1,148
Other assets and liabilities	(1,720)	186	1,950
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	321,919	295,830	293,601
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(188,217)	(182,565)	(117,977)
Proceeds from sale of Peterson LOI			6,785
Other investing activities	(5,367)	(7,234)	4,299
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(423,310)	(215,421)	(179,534)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving credit facility	354,000	(211,400)	76,000
Repayments under term loan B	(5,000)	(393,750)	(4,000)
Repayment of note payable related to purchase of AC Hotel			(6,000)
Deferred financing costs paid	(642)	(12,268)
Repurchase of Company stock for retirement			(24,811)
Payment of dividends	(172,415)	(161,706)	(151,160)
Payment of tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(4,164)	(3,810)	(3,235)
Other financing activities	(9)	45	1,683
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	171,770	(82,889)	(111,523)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	70,379	(2,480)	2,544
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period	78,710	81,190	78,646
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	149,089	78,710	81,190
$200 Million Term Loan A [Member]
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under term loan		200,000
$500 Million Term Loan B [Member]
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under term loan		500,000
Gaylord Rockies [Member]
Amounts to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
(Income) loss from joint ventures	(124,400)	1,900	1,200
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Investment in joint venture		(16,309)	(70,141)
Purchase of additional/remaining interest, net of cash acquired	(223,564)
Opry City Stage [Member]
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of additional/remaining interest, net of cash acquired	(3,963)
Other Joint Ventures [Member]
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Investment in joint venture	$ (2,199)	$ (9,313)	$ (2,500)