A Travel Price Comparison for Tennessee Gatlinburg vs. Nashville for Nightlife, Food, Resorts, and Couples

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Nashville?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Nashville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. Other reasons to visit include skiing, nightlife, and hiking. See Gatlinburg travel costs.

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. See Nashville travel costs.

Gatlinburg and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Nashville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville. Although Gatlinburg and Nashville are both popular with visitors, Nashville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nashville is more popular for its food, music, and big city activities, while Gatlinburg is known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and shopping. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Nashville and is known for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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 Gatlinburg different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a city with good options for skiing and snowboarding. However, Nashville is not a skiing destination.

Gatlinburg is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Nashville is not a skiing destination.

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

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Gatlinburg or Nashville.

Gatlinburg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

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 Gatlinburg or Nashville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nashville is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Gatlinburg just to party. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

Nashville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for live music. However, Gatlinburg 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.

Gatlinburg is not a live music destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

In Gatlinburg, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

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 Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Gatlinburg. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Nashville?

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

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 Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Families?

Nashville is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Nashville offers lots of family activities. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Couples?

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

Gatlinburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

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 Gatlinburg or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Nashville is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Gatlinburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a touristy town with plenty of cheap motels in the area. There are also campgrounds and hiking not far away.

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

Gatlinburg is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Gatlinburg has some public transit options. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

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 Gatlinburg or Nashville a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Gatlinburg is very walkable. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

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 Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Nashville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Gatlinburg?

How long in Gatlinburg or Nashville?

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

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

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the country music lovers city of Nashville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Gatlinburg or Nashville?

You'll find museums and skiing around the wild destination of Gatlinburg. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Nashville, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Gatlinburg or Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the high energy city of Gatlinburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nashville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Gatlinburg or Nashville?

Gatlinburg 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.

Nashville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg or Nashville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Nashville. Many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nashville in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gatlinburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville during summer. Gatlinburg gets 294 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Nashville. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Nashville. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Nashville averages at about 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 Gatlinburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Gatlinburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Gatlinburg gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Nashville. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nashville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Nashville can be very cold. Gatlinburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gatlinburg is generally a little warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

Gatlinburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville during winter. Gatlinburg gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. In January, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Nashville. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Gatlinburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Nashville in the spring. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. In the spring, Gatlinburg often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Gatlinburg gets 263 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. Gatlinburg usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Gatlinburg