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

Should you visit Nashville or Phoenix?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nashville and Phoenix can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nashville

Nashville is a country music lovers, eclectic, and southern city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Nashville and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nashville than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Nashville, Nashville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nashville is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking and shopping. Nashville is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. Also, Nashville is famous for The Grand Ole Opry. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Nashville different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Nashville or Phoenix.

Nashville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Nashville and Phoenix both to be notable destinations.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Phoenix. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Nashville has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Music?

Nashville is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Nashville has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Nashville has a few great resort options. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Phoenix?

Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

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 Nashville or Phoenix Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a city with good options for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Phoenix does not offer Christmas activities.

Nashville worth visiting during the Christmas season. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Phoenix does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Families?

Both Nashville and Phoenix are notable to visit with kids.

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

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phoenix. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Both Nashville and Phoenix are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nashville is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Nashville or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Nashville is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

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 Nashville or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Phoenix is a decent place to visit for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable city. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nashville and Phoenix. In our opinion, Nashville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nashville than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nashville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Nashville than Phoenix. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nashville than Phoenix 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 Nashville or Phoenix?

In Nashville, you'll find nightlife and live music. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Nashville or Phoenix?

In Nashville, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nashville has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Phoenix. 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.

Five days in Nashville or Phoenix?

Nashville is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the desert city of Phoenix. 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.

A week in Nashville or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nashville. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nashville. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nashville and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Nashville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nashville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nashville 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Nashville.

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

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Nashville and Phoenix, 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 Nashville or Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nashville or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Phoenix. The summer months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Nashville is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 81°F (27°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nashville usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Nashville gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nashville usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nashville or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Phoenix. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Nashville is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In the autumn, Nashville often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Nashville gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Nashville usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nashville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nashville. In the winter, Nashville is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nashville in January average around 38°F (4°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Nashville usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Nashville gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nashville usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nashville or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Nashville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nashville in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Nashville is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (16°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nashville. In the spring, Nashville often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Nashville gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. Nashville usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Nashville