A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Nashville for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Nashville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Columbia or Nashville? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a suburban, friendly, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Columbia and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Nashville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville than Columbia. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nashville is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Columbia attracts visitors for its shopping. Nashville is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also well known for The Grand Ole Opry. Columbia is famous for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nashville and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Nashville?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Columbia and Nashville.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nashville. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Nashville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nashville is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Nashville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for its live music scene. However, Columbia is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Nashville The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Columbia is not a live music destination.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a popular place for its resorts. However, Columbia is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nashville makes a nice vacation spot. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Columbia is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Nashville?

Columbia is a city with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbia. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Columbia does not offer Christmas activities.

Nashville offers some nice Christmas activities. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Columbia does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Nashville.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Nashville is a family-friendly city. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Couples?

Nashville is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Students?

Columbia is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

Is Columbia or Nashville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbia is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Columbia or Nashville a more walkable city?

Neither Columbia or Nashville are walkable places.

Columbia is not a walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

Nashville is not a very walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Nashville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbia and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nashville than in Columbia. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

Families should spend more time in Nashville than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nashville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Nashville than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nashville that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nashville than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Nashville.

One day in Columbia or Nashville?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Columbia. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbia has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The city of Nashville offers live music and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Nashville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the suburban destination of Columbia. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Nashville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nashville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the suburban city of Columbia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nashville is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Nashville?

Columbia is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Nashville is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Nashville, we can see that Nashville is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville than you might in Columbia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Nashville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Nashville, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Columbia or Nashville?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Summer?

Both Nashville and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Columbia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Nashville. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Nashville. Most visitors come to Columbia for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Columbia is around the same temperature as Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Nashville. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Nashville. The winter months attract visitors to Columbia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. In the winter, Columbia is much warmer than Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nashville. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

In April, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Nashville. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Columbia