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

Should you visit Nashville or Denver?

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 Denver 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food. See Nashville travel costs.

Denver

Denver is a park-filled, suburban, and accessible city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Denver travel costs.

Nashville and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Denver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nashville. Although Nashville and Denver are popular destinations, Nashville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nashville is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, and resorts, while Denver attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, and shopping. Nashville is more touristy than Denver and is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also well known for The Grand Ole Opry. Denver is famous for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.

How is Nashville different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Skiing?

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

Denver is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Nashville is not a skiing destination.

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

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

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

Nashville is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

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 Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for its live music scene. However, Denver is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Denver is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Denver 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.

Denver is not a resort destination.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Hiking?

Denver is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Denver. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Denver?

Denver 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 Denver. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

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 Denver Better for Families?

Both Nashville and Denver 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 Denver. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Couples?

Both Nashville and Denver 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.

Denver makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.

Is Nashville or Denver Better for Students?

Denver is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Plenty of students visit Denver. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

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 Denver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Denver 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.

Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

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 Denver a more walkable city?

Neither Nashville or Denver are walkable places.

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

Denver is not a walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Nashville Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Denver?

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nashville. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Denver. 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 Denver?

Nashville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the park-filled destination of Denver. 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.

Five days in Nashville or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nashville. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the accessible city of Denver. 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 Denver?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the eclectic destination of Nashville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Nashville and Denver, 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.