A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nashville vs. Columbia River Gorge for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge 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 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 nightlife, live music, and food. See Nashville travel costs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a scenic, natural, and beautiful region. Columbia River Gorge is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Columbia River Gorge travel costs.

Nashville and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville. Although Nashville and Columbia River Gorge are both popular with visitors, Nashville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nashville is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Columbia River Gorge is known for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Columbia River Gorge is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. 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 Nashville different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

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 Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Nashville and Columbia River Gorge both to be high quality destinations.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Columbia River Gorge. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Is Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nashville offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Music?

Nashville is a world-class destination for live music. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Nashville has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge is a region with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbia River Gorge. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

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 Nashville or Columbia River Gorge More Beautiful?

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Columbia River Gorge is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Impressive waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas make this a truly beautiful place to visit.

Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

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 Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

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

Columbia River Gorge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

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 Nashville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Columbia River Gorge is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

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

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

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 Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Neither Nashville or Columbia River Gorge are walkable places.

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

Columbia River Gorge is not a walkable city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Nashville Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia River Gorge than Nashville 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Nashville. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the region of Columbia River Gorge. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Nashville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Columbia River Gorge. 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 region has to offer. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Nashville for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Nashville. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic region of Columbia River Gorge. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

The country music lovers destination of Nashville offers nightlife and live music. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Columbia River Gorge is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Columbia River Gorge?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Nashville and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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 Nashville or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Columbia River Gorge. Most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Nashville is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In the summer, Nashville often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Nashville gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

Nashville usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In the autumn, Nashville is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nashville in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. Nashville usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Nashville gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nashville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia River Gorge. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nashville or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Nashville during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbia River Gorge. It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. In January, Nashville is generally cooler than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 38°F (4°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Nashville often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Nashville gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

Columbia River Gorge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nashville usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Columbia River Gorge. Many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the spring for the natural beauty.

Nashville is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nashville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge during spring. Nashville gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nashville usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Nashville