Are you thinking about visiting Nashville, Tennessee? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Nashville worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for two to three days. We first visited Nashville in childhood and again several times in adulthood. During our time here, we fell in love with its music scene and fun downtown. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Travel and Leisure's Best Places to Visit in 2023 - Big City Thrills. Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee. It's also a country music capital with many unique attractions relating to the music scene. Many legendary country music singers had their start in Nashville and the city continues to have a thriving nightlife and music scene with Honky Tonks, and other live music venues. You'll also find the iconic Grand Ole Opry in town.
Nashville, Tennesse
Reasons to Visit Nashville
Music
The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.
Nightlife
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.
Museums
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.
Food
The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.
Resorts
There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.
Authenticity
Nashville has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Nashville worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Nashville is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat touristy, so in the high season it's usually busier. There are a number of fun festivals in Nashville during the summer season.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 27°C (81°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 33°C (92°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the resorts, and the big city activities. Also, you can check out the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Nashville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| August | 27°C (80°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| September | 23°C (74°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Is Nashville worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 17°C (62°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Nashville, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. Even though Nashville is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.
This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in Nashville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| November | 11°C (52°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| December | 6°C (43°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
Is Nashville worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Nashville. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals. Winter remains relatively mild in Nashville so it is still a pleasant time to visit.
The weather in Nashville can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 4°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to browse through museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy an evening out. Also, you can experience the live music and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Nashville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 4°C (38°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| February | 6°C (42°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| March | 11°C (52°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Is Nashville worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Nashville. Even though Nashville is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during spring, and temperatures hover around 16°C (62°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, plenty of live music, and the nightlife scene.
Spring Weather in Nashville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 16°C (62°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| June | 25°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Nashville
Shopping: Nashville isn't exactly a shopper's destination. 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.
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Nashville might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Nashville here or see if Nashville is expensive here.
Related
What is Nashville most famous for?
Nashville is most famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. People visit this impressive city for its great music. It is also known for its great nightlife. And many visitors also come to this city for its museums, food, and resorts. It is often described as eclectic, southern, and country music lovers.
What is the most famous sight in Nashville?
The most popular sight in Nashville is The Grand Ole Opry. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Nashville on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Grand Ole Opry and other attractions here.
How touristy is Nashville? Is it a popular city to visit?
Nashville is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Big E’s Bronco Tours - Nashville Music History and Cultural Tour: $45
- Walkin' Nashville - Music City Legends Tour: $40
- Wander Nashville- Guided Historic Walking Tour: $10
- Music City Puppet Narrated Walking Tour with Puppeteer: $28
- Nashville Small-Group Celebrity Home Helicopter Tour: $216
- River and Nature Tour: $216
- Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Private Tour: $13
- Explore Haunted Downtown Walking Tour in Nashville: $20
How long should I spend in Nashville?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Nashville is two to three days. Since Nashville has a variety of activities such as music, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nashville? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nashville?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.