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

Should you visit Orlando or Nashville?

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

Should I visit Orlando 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.

Orlando

Orlando is a family-friendly, entertaining, and active city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and theater.

Nashville

Nashville is a eclectic, southern, and country music lovers city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Orlando and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Nashville?

Both Nashville and Orlando have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Orlando is more popular for its theatre productions, food, resorts, and shopping, while Nashville is known for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities. Orlando is more touristy than Nashville and is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. Nashville is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Orlando different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nashville is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Theater?

Orlando is a city with good options for theatre. However, Nashville is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Orlando. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Nashville is not a theatre destination.

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

Orlando is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

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.

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is great for nightlife. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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 Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for live music. However, Orlando is not a live music destination.

Nashville is known as a music capital 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.

Orlando is not a live music destination.

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Orlando is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Orlando is a world class resort vacation destination. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Nashville?

Orlando is a very popular place for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

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 Orlando or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Orlando is a world-class destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its Christmas activities.

Orlando offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

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

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Families?

Orlando is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Orlando is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

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 Orlando or Nashville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Orlando and Nashville make for a good place to visit.

Orlando is a nice destination for couples. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

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.

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Orlando or Nashville Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

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

Orlando 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 Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

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 Orlando or Nashville a more walkable city?

Neither Orlando or Nashville are walkable places.

Orlando is not a very walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

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 Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Nashville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orlando and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nashville than in Orlando. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and theater around the city of Orlando. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

A weekend in Orlando or Nashville?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the active destination of Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Orlando or Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the family-friendly city of Orlando. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Orlando or Nashville?

Orlando is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Nashville, we can see that Orlando 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando 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 Orlando Expensive? and Is Nashville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Orlando 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 Orlando or Nashville?

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 Orlando or Nashville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Nashville. Many visitors come to Orlando in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Orlando is around the same temperature as Nashville in the summer. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Orlando usually receives more rain than Nashville. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orlando or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Nashville. Most visitors come to Orlando for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Orlando is a little warmer than Nashville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orlando in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Orlando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orlando usually gets more rain in October than Nashville. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Orlando because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, 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 January, Orlando is generally much warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 59°F (15°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In January, Orlando usually receives less rain than Nashville. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orlando or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Orlando during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

Orlando is a little warmer than Nashville in the spring. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 72°F (22°C) in April, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Orlando usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Orlando