A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Simons vs. Nashville for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Simons or Nashville?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

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. It's also known for food, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Simons and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville. Although Saint Simons and Nashville are both popular with visitors, Nashville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nashville is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Saint Simons is known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Simons is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Nashville is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also home to The Grand Ole Opry.

How is Saint Simons different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Nashville is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.


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

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

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 Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Nashville is a great destination for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Nashville know how to have a good time. 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.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Music?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Nashville is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Saint Simons is not a live music destination.

Nashville is a world class music destination. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Saint Simons is not a live music destination.


Is Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons and Nashville offer a relatively similar set of good luxury resort options.

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

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 Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Nashville is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Saint Simons attract visitors from all over. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Nashville is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons is a island with good options for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint Simons. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

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 Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Saint Simons
Nashville

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

Nashville is a fun destination over Christmas. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Saint Simons does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Families?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

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 Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Couples?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons is a very popular place for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Saint Simons makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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 Saint Simons or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Nashville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options 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.

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

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

Saint Simons
Nashville

Neither Saint Simons or Nashville offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

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


Is Saint Simons or Nashville a more walkable city?

Saint Simons
Nashville

Saint Simons is a island with good options for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Simons and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Simons than in Nashville. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nashville than Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons or Nashville? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Simons 2-4 
    Nashville 2-3

One day in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Even though Saint Simons is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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, many people enjoy the live music and food that this eclectic city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Nashville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the live music. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.


Five days in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the southern destination of Nashville. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint Simons or Nashville?

Saint Simons is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


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


Which place is cheaper, Nashville or Saint Simons?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Simons is $176, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $172. 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 Saint Simons and Nashville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Simons $100
    Nashville $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Simons $200
    Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Saint Simons and Nashville

Looking for a hotel in Saint Simons or Nashville? 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 Saint Simons


Hotels in Nashville


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: Saint Simons Hotel Prices and Nashville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Simons $49
    Nashville $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville

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

  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $125
  • Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
  • Nashville accomodation to Nashville Airport (BNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Simons or Nashville?

Prices for flights to both Nashville and Saint Simons 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
    Saint Simons $48
    Nashville $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville

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

  • Nashville Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • 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 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.
    Saint Simons $16
    Nashville $27

Tours and Activities in Nashville

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

  • Music City Self-Guided Walking Tour w/ Audio App: $6.75
  • Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Wander Nashville- Guided Historic Walking Tour: $10
  • Music History Guided Walking Tour: $10
  • Explore Nashville's Melodies: An In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Willie Nelson and Friends Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • Downtown Nashville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
  • Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Private Tour: $13
  • Explore Haunted Downtown Walking Tour in Nashville : $20
  • Downtown Nashville Sightseeing Walking Tour with Ice Cream : $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Simons $60
    Nashville $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:

  • 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
  • Music City Pub Crawl: $25
  • Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
  • Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville's Honky-Tonk Walking Sightseeing Pub Crawl: $31
  • Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $33
  • Nashville's Lost Spirits: Murder and True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Nashville Lost Spirits: Murder True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Nashville Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $35


When comparing the travel costs between Saint Simons and Nashville, we can see that Saint Simons is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons or Nashville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Nashville. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and 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.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Simons often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Simons usually gets more rain in July than Nashville. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Simons 82°F (28°C) 
    Nashville 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Saint Simons or Nashville in the Autumn?

Both Nashville and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area 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.

In the autumn, Saint Simons is a little warmer than Nashville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Simons in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville during autumn. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Nashville. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Simons 70°F (21°C) 
    Nashville 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Saint Simons or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Saint Simons during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 53°F (12°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Saint Simons gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nashville. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Simons 53°F (12°C) 
    Nashville 38°F (4°C)

Should I visit Saint Simons or Nashville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Nashville. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

Saint Simons is a little warmer than Nashville in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during spring. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nashville receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Nashville. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Simons 68°F (20°C) 
    Nashville 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Nashville and Saint Simons

Saint Simons Nashville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 38°F (4°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 52°F (11°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 62°F (16°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 70°F (21°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 81°F (27°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 80°F (27°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 52°F (11°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 43°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)