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

Should you visit Nashville or Charlottesville?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nashville and Charlottesville can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

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. See Nashville travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a young, collegiate, and southern university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Nashville and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nashville. Although Nashville and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Nashville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nashville is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nashville is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also well known for The Grand Ole Opry. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Nashville different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Nashville or Charlottesville.

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.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

Nashville is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nashville has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Nashville has something for everybody. 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 Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Music?

Nashville is terrific for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

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.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its historic old town. However, Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Charlottesville. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Charlottesville?

Nashville is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Both Nashville and Charlottesville are nice to visit with kids.

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

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Charlottesville. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Both Nashville and Charlottesville are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nashville is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Nashville or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Charlottesville is a very popular university town for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

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

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

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 Nashville or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

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

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable university town. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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 Nashville Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nashville and Charlottesville. In our opinion, Charlottesville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Charlottesville than Nashville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

The eclectic destination of Nashville offers nightlife and live music. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

A weekend in Nashville or Charlottesville?

The city of Nashville offers live music and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nashville or Charlottesville?

Nashville is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville 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. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nashville or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nashville. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Nashville and Charlottesville, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville Expensive? and Is Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Charlottesville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Nashville and Charlottesville, 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 Nashville or Charlottesville?

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 Nashville or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Charlottesville. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nashville is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nashville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nashville usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during summer. Nashville gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nashville usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nashville or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nashville is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (17°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In the autumn, Nashville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Nashville gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Nashville usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nashville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine during these months.

Charlottesville can be very cold during winter. Nashville can get quite cold in the winter. Nashville is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

Nashville usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. Nashville gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nashville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nashville or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Nashville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nashville for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nashville is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nashville in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nashville. In the spring, Nashville often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Nashville gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. Nashville usually gets more rain in April than Charlottesville. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Nashville