A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nashville vs. Virginia Beach for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Resorts

Should you visit Nashville or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach 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 southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

Nashville and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Fun shopping
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance


Is there more to do in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville than Virginia Beach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nashville is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Nashville is famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also well known for The Grand Ole Opry. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Nashville different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nashville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Nashville for the nightlife scene. 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 Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Music?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is terrific for its live music scene. However, Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week 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.

Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.


Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nashville and Virginia Beach have nice options.

Nashville has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a coastal city with good options for its beaches. However, Nashville is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Nashville is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Christmas?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Christmas holiday activities are popular when visiting Nashville. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is a very family-friendly destination. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Both Nashville and Virginia Beach are nice 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.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.


Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Nashville is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Nashville or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

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

Plenty of students visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

Nashville
Virginia Beach

Neither Nashville or Virginia Beach offer decent public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.


Is Nashville or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Nashville
Virginia Beach

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

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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 Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Both Nashville and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Nashville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nashville, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nashville than Virginia Beach 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.


  • How many days in Nashville or Virginia Beach? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nashville 2-3 
    Virginia Beach 5-7

One day in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

In Nashville, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife around the coastal city of Virginia Beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Nashville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find nightlife around the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.


Five days in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nashville. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the city of Nashville. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, one week is sufficent for most. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Nashville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nashville is $172, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $126. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nashville and Virginia Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nashville $99
    Virginia Beach $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nashville $198
    Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Nashville and Virginia Beach

Looking for a hotel in Nashville or Virginia Beach? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nashville


Hotels in Virginia Beach


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nashville Hotel Prices and Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nashville $21
    Virginia Beach $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville

Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128
  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $125
  • Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
  • Private Transfer Nashville To|From International Airport : $88
  • Private Departure Transfer from Downtown Nashville to Nashville Airport (BNA): $84
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Nashville Airport (BNA) to Downtown Nashville: $84
  • Private Arrival Transfer in Nashville International Airport (BNA) : $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach and Nashville change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nashville $41
    Virginia Beach $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville

For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Neighborhood Food Tour on E-bikes: $79
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Franklin, TN: $94
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville, TN: $94
  • Nashville 12South Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $113
  • General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise: $138

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nashville $27
    Virginia Beach $21

Tours and Activities in Nashville

For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Nashville Sightseeing Walking Tour: $39
  • Franklin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with Live Narration: $39
  • Nashville Ghosts: Hauntings of Music City Tour By Junket: $30
  • "Murder in Music City" Night-Time Ghost Walking Tour of Nashville: $35
  • 1 Hour Nashville Insider Photoshoot Tour in the Gulch: $79
  • 2 Hour Narrated Sightseeing Tractor Tour of Nashville: $59
  • 2-Hour Guided E-Bicycle Sightseeing Tour of Nashville: $117
  • 90-Minute Legends of Music City Guided Historical Walking Tour: $39
  • 90-Minute Monster Truck Joyride City Tour of Nashville: $53
  • Adventure Park Ziplining and Climbing in Nashville : $52
  • Adventureworks Ziplines at Nashville West: $61
  • Amazing Nashville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
  • Kayak Dolphin Experience in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
  • Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
  • Kayak Dolphin Tours | Must Know How to Swim: $78
  • Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
  • Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
  • Virginia Historic Adventure!: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nashville $15
    Virginia Beach $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:

  • Nashville's Annual Firecracker Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Tacky Sweater Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual New Year's Eve Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Crawl-O-Ween Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nelson's Green Brier Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Music City Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Big Machine Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
  • Seeking Spirits Haunted Night-Time Pub Crawl in Nashville: $30
  • Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nashville and Virginia Beach, we can see that Nashville is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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


Which is Bigger, Nashville or Virginia Beach?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Nashville and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nashville is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nashville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nashville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during summer. Nashville gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nashville usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nashville 81°F (27°C) 
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Nashville or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Virginia Beach. The autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In October, Nashville is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (17°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In the autumn, Nashville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Nashville gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

Nashville usually gets less rain in October than Virginia Beach. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nashville 62°F (17°C) 
    Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Nashville or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. Nashville is cooler than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

Nashville usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Nashville gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nashville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nashville 38°F (4°C) 
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)

Should I visit Nashville or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Nashville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nashville is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nashville in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nashville. In the spring, Nashville often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Nashville gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. Nashville usually gets more rain in April than Virginia Beach. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nashville 62°F (16°C) 
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Nashville

Nashville Virginia Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 38°F (4°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 62°F (16°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Sep 74°F (23°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 52°F (11°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 43°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)