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

Should you visit Sarasota or Nashville?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and Nashville. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

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.

Sarasota and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Nashville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nashville is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and shopping. Sarasota is more touristy than Nashville and is known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. 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.

How is Sarasota different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sarasota is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Sarasota and Nashville.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nashville area. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Sarasota or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice 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 Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for its live music scene. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Nashville Better for Resorts?

There are nice resorts to choose from in both Sarasota and Nashville.

With a selection of resorts, Sarasota makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

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.

Is Sarasota or Nashville Better for Beaches?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sarasota. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Nashville is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Nashville?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

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 Sarasota or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a good destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Sarasota or Nashville Better for Families?

Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is an extremely popular city to visit for families. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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 Sarasota or Nashville Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Nashville both nice destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Nashville is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Sarasota or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

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

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

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 Sarasota or Nashville a more walkable city?

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

Sarasota is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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 Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Nashville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Nashville. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sarasota. 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.

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 Sarasota or Nashville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the entertaining destination of Sarasota. 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 Sarasota or Nashville?

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

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 Sarasota or Nashville?

Sarasota 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Nashville in the Summer?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Nashville. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Nashville in the Autumn?

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

Sarasota is a little warmer than Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Nashville. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Nashville in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nashville. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Nashville. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Nashville in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Sarasota