should i visit memphis or nashville

Should I Visit Nashville or Memphis?

From the Author: I've lived in Nashville for 12 years, and my wife was born here. Alex worked downtown for five years. We love Broadway and know it well. If you have any questions, we respond quickly to comments!

Are you debating whether to visit Nashville or Memphis for your next trip? You've come to the right place!

Located in Tennessee, Nashville and Memphis are just a three-hour drive apart, each offering a distinctly different experience. Both cities have their own unique vibe, rich histories, delicious food, and lively music scenes. As someone from Nashville who has spent time in both cities, I believe each city deserves a trip of its own. Whether Nashville's country charm or Memphis's bluesy rhythm appeals more to you, you're in for an experience that celebrates the musical soul of Tennessee. Why not make the most of your journey and visit both?

Which is Better, Memphis or Nashville?

As a Nashville local who frequently visits Memphis, I wholeheartedly recommend adding Memphis to your travel list. This city is a treasure trove for history buffs, with key landmarks such as the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically assassinated. Right next to it, the profound National Civil Rights Museum offers invaluable insights into America's historical struggles.

Moreover, Memphis is celebrated as the launching pad for music icons like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley at Sun Studio. It's steeped in musical history, hosting the Rock n Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Memphis’s Beale Street echoes Nashville's Broadway with its lively music scene and historical significance.

While Nashville may offer a broader variety of activities and be more family-oriented, it's important to note that Memphis can have higher crime rates. Nonetheless, a visit to Memphis is essential. You might find a shorter stay ideal, giving you enough time to experience its rich history and vibrant music scene before exploring the dynamic environment of Nashville.

Nashville is most popular for its major attractions, such as Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, Ryman Auditorium, and Grand Ole Opry.

Also, it is one of the best party destinations for bachelors or bachelorettes due to the many brisk spots to drink, dance, and engage in uncommon activities—all this in a safe, walkable downtown area.

While in town with your family on vacation, make sure not to miss the Gulch, Centennial Park, and the Parthenon, to name but just a few of the city's hot spots.

Quick Summary: Memphis is best for traveling on a budget, for music and Civil War history buffs, and for blues music fans. Nashville is best for a more family-friendly vacation with more options for entertainment, history, and major attractions.

Nashville vs. Memphis: Nightlife & Entertainment

Nashville is famous for its diverse music scene, though country music remains the most popular. In contrast, Memphis is celebrated for its focus on blues and soul, offering a different musical vibe.

Nashville's Best Nightlife and Entertainment:

• Lower Broadway: Famous for its vibrant scene.
• Midtown: A bustling area with various entertainment options.
• Printer's Alley: Known for its rich history and lively bars.

Memphis's Iconic Music Scene:

• Beale Street: The heart of Memphis's live music, bustling with jazz and blues, especially at places like B.B. King's Blues Club. While quieter during the day, Beale Street comes alive at night.

Nashville's Honky-Tonk Highway:

• Overview: A strip of over 32 bars, many owned by country stars like Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan.
• Music Variety: Not limited to country; includes rock, jazz, gospel, and R&B.
• Best Times to Visit:
• Peak Times: Thursday to Sunday (busiest).
• Quieter Times: Monday to Wednesday during the day for live music without the crowds.

Things To Do in Nashville:

When you think of Nashville, you may think of country music and cowboy hats. But it's also got a vibrant history to explore. So, for a complete guide to the perfect day in Nashville, we wrote a detailed guide  here .

• Opryland Hotel. This is a stunning hotel that allows you to walk around for hours. It includes fantastic shopping and restaurants. If you celebrate Christmas, we highly recommend checking out the Christmas lights during the Christmas season; they are stunning.
• Lower Broadway. I t's time to enjoy what truly makes Nashville “Music City .”From the Johnny Cash Museum, it's just a one-minute walk to  lower Broadway . Catch the country stars of tomorrow at Tootsies Orchid Lounge or the best live country music at Roberts Western World.
• The Ryman Auditorium. Step into the mother church of country music. For country music fans, an experience at the Ryman is as close to heaven as possible. The Ryman is where the Grand Ole Opry used to be broadcast, reaching living rooms as far away as Canada.
• Tennessee State Museum. Learn more about the city's role and how it rose from the ashes to become the Athens of the south.
• Belle Meade Plantation. Explore the remaining 30 acres of the estate that once stretched for miles. The rocking chairs and slave quarters look like they were only vacated yesterday. It's been beautifully kept up.
• Visit Museums. We have the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, the Frist Museum, the Johnny Cash Museum, and the Museum of African American Music. 

Things To Do in Memphis

• Memphis Cotton Exchange. You can visit the trading floor, which was once the center of the world cotton trade.
• Rock n Soul Museum. Learn how the uplifting music of delta share croppers evolved into a cathartic musical expression: the blues. Learn how the blues made the jump to rock ‘n roll and jumped the racial divide.
• Stax Museum. Discover the costumes, music, and moves that made Memphis the epicenter of the soul music universe. It includes Isaac Haye's incredible Cadillac Eldorado.
• Sun Studios.  Visit the place where, in 1954, a 19-year-old kid named Elvis Presley recorded “That's All Right” and changed popular music forever.
• Graceland. Three years after recording “That's All Right,” Elvis purchased Graceland, a 13-acre estate on the outskirts of town. This is where Elvis lived for 20 years. 
• Elvis Presley's Memphis. This museum chronicles his life from beginnings to stardom, including his outfits and cars.
• National Civil Rights Museum. It's easy to take the trolley bus to the museum that is built around the historic Lorraine Motel. You follow the footsteps of over 400 years of history as they marched toward freedom. You can see the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by staying seated. You can also see the freedom riders' greyhound coach brought to a fiery stop by clan members. You can also see the suite where Martin Luther King spent his final hours before he was shot. 
• Beale Street is considered the official home of the blues. It consists of 3 blocks of nightclubs, restaurants, and shops in the heart of downtown Memphis. It's a melting pot of jazz, blues, R&B, rock, and gospel. It has a long history of hosting the biggest names in music. Remember to check out the BB Kings Blues Club. You can enjoy live music and southern food in a dedicated listening room.

Nashville vs Memphis: Food

• BBQ Highlight : Visit the Rendezvous via an alleyway on Monroe Avenue to experience famous charcoal-fired ribs started in the 1950s. Weekly, they serve five tonnes of dry rub ribs.
• Gus's Fried Chicken : Just around the corner, famous for its hot chicken that attracts global visitors.
• Smoked Meats : For smoked pork, head to Peg Leg Porker or Jack's Bar-B-Que.
• Hot Chicken : Don't miss Prince's Hot Chicken and Hattie B's, renowned for Nashville's signature hot chicken dish.

This post was written with the help of AI. Please know that the information has been verified by me, a local, to ensure accuracy. Sources are provided when available or applicable. Sometimes the content is original to me and I've just used AI to improve it. The goal is to always provide information that is helpful and entertaining.

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Nashville vs Memphis: which Tennessee city sounds better?

Apr 21, 2023 • 8 min read

The music never stops at Sun Studio in Memphis or along Nashville’s Broadway © Washington Post / Getty Images; Jewel Samad / Getty Images

Where the mighty Mississippi meets the Appalachians, Tennessee is a crucible of American culture. Which means its two largest cities, Nashville and Memphis, have major cachet when it comes to matters culinary and – above all else – musical.

But which of the pair sings the sweeter tune? We asked two of our local correspondents to explain why it’s their city that deserves the encore.

They call Nashville “Music City” for a good reason

A resident of Nashville for more than a decade, Bailey Freeman has fallen completely in love with the city’s creativity. When she’s not scribbling away at a story, she’s flying through the air as an aerial acrobat in Nashville’s performing arts scene.

When people ask me to describe Nashville ’s vibe, I often say that the city hums. Music flows into the street from honky-tonks and other bars. Pots and pans clang in kitchens serving everything from sumptuous down-home meals to high-end tasting menus. Chittering animals and chatting locals crisscross the city’s many parks and trails. Nashville may be known worldwide for country music – but its song is much more layered than that.

And it’s one bound to get stuck in your head.

A legacy of music

This city is one of the South ’s great cultural bastions, particularly when it comes to music. The Fisk Jubilee Singers originated the town’s musical legacy – in 1873, the group performed for England’s Queen Victoria, who commented that they must come from a “city of music,” a quote that begat Nashville’s famous nickname, “Music City.” In the years that followed, Nashville saw the emergence of the blues and R&B scenes on Jefferson St, the national phenomenon that was (and continues to be) the Grand Ole Opry , and today’s ever-growing country and rock industries.

First, let’s be clear: Nashville owes Memphis a huge cultural debt. The music scene in Nashville has its origins in the Memphis blues, roots, rock and R&B greats whose ideas influenced (and were often appropriated into) the sound that has come to define Music City’s popularity. It’s a sound so popular that today it’s hard to find a location in Nashville that doesn’t host some sort of live music. Head downtown for country and classic rock, bop over to East Nashville for everything from soul to experimental punk, or squeeze into South Nashville’s listening rooms to hear up-and-coming songwriters.

Though music gets most of the press, Nashville’s larger art scene is varied and thriving – and it’s my favorite part of living in this city. Downtown and Wedgewood Houston host monthly art crawls centered around local businesses, while venues like CE Gallery and OZ Arts regularly host boundary-pushing and genre-bending theater runs, fashion shows and dance performances. Events like Boom Bap (hip-hop), Artek (house and electronic) and QDP (Queer Dance Party) turn venues around the city into joyous dance floors, while places like Skull’s Rainbow Room and Old Glory host burlesque, drag and circus acts. Though regrettably under fire from the Tennessee State Legislature of late, the city’s drag scene is a treasure, too. Get out there and support our queens and kings at venues like Play , or at one of the city’s many drag brunches.

Fascinating flavors

This creativity has spilled over into the culinary sphere, too; when I invite folks to visit, I always promise they’ll “eat and drink good .” If you want to eat quintessentially Nashville, you can’t miss the classics: indulging in a meat-and-three at Swett’s , eating your fill of the family-style spread at Monell’s or sampling Nashville’s famous hot chicken straight from Prince’s , the dish’s originator.

And while Nashville may have a strong dedication to perfecting traditional fare, that doesn’t mean people aren’t innovating. High-end spots like Locust and Audrey were recently named the best restaurants in the country by national publications like Food & Wine and the New York Times , and many of their contemporaries are pushing similar boundaries. Check out Bastion , Rolf & Daughters and Tailor , to name a few.

Music City’s food scene is also diverse, and you’ll find incredible eats from around the world. A few favorites come to mind: Anna & Arnold Myint carry on their mother’s legacy of serving Nashvillians amazing Thai food at International Market , Edessa Restaurant gives visitors a taste of top-tier Turkish and Kurdish cuisine, and Mofongo Cafe specializes in towering plates of savory Caribbean staples.

In sum, Nashville is a profoundly dynamic place, more so than people often give it credit for. It’s musical, colorful, creative and cozy. And it’s home. Lucky me.

Memphis: the “real” Music City

Joe Sills is a travel writer, explorer and photojournalist who was born and raised in Memphis. When he’s not on assignment, he can be found loitering in the city’s dive bars or recording new episodes of his travel show, The Get Lost Podcast , in a South Main basement.

If you’re a true music lover, Memphis should be a bucket-list destination. As local rapper Al Kapone wrote, “If music is your sweet tooth, Memphis is the candy.”

Nashville may market itself as Music City, but check the records (in all senses) and you’ll find more of America’s sonic roots in its counterpart on the Mississippi River. For Memphis is the cornerstone of not one genre but at least four: the blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul and hip-hop.

Where the music began

All you have to do is visit Memphis’ legendary Sun Studio , where you’ll discover the original pressing of Ike Turner’s “Rocket 88” – widely recognized as the very first rock ’n’ roll hit. Beside it are original copies of vinyls bearing the first records of blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, Little Milton and BB King – a clear nod to Memphis’ contribution to rock’s grandfather, the blues. Even Charlie Rich, a bonafide pioneer of the “Nashville sound” – a smoother, less honky-tonk subgenre of country music that arose in the 1950s – cut his teeth in Memphis, as a session drummer at Sun. And that’s not even counting the work of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Perkins and Roy Orbison.

Across town, an Oscar stands sentinel over a rotating, gold-plated Cadillac once owned by Southern soul godfather Isaac Hayes at Stax Museum of American Soul Music , which pays homage to a place that produced more soul hits than any city outside of Detroit . In the 1960s and ’70s, while Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder were setting the world ablaze from Motown, Stax was giving the world Hayes, Otis Redding and Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Along with Al Green, Ann Peebles and Syl Johnson over at cross-town rival Hi Records, these musicians formed the core of the South’s most prolific hit factory.

You can still take in a show at Elvis’s inaugural concert venue, the Overton Park Shell ; mellow out at Jerry Lee Lewis’s favorite haunt, Hernando’s Hideaway ; or dine beneath the balconies where Billy Joel and KISS cut their teeth at Lafeyette’s Music Room . At unpretentious juke joints like Wild Bill’s or Earnestine & Hazel’s , you can dance the night away to soul classics. But here’s the thing: while tourism in Memphis focuses heavily on Graceland , Sun and Stax, the city’s musical impact is not locked in the past. In the realm of hip-hop, the beats laid down by artists like Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG in the ’90s evolved into a sound that was exported to Atlanta to form the foundation of trap music in the 2000s – and which have now returned home under the banner of volcanically hot modern artists like GloRilla, Moneybagg Yo, NLE Choppa, Duke Deuce, Blocboy JB, Key Glock and the late Young Dolph. Alongside Atlanta and Houston , Memphis has a strong case as the capital city of Southern hip-hop. As community leaders discuss building a museum dedicated to this groundbreaking genre, the city’s prominence in music is reaching heights unseen since the early ’70s.

A town that embraces the terms “grit,” “grind” and “blue-collar,” Memphis has had an outsized impact on global music despite playing second fiddle – at times even providing the fiddle players! – to Nashville. Sure, many Memphians view Nashville (perhaps unfairly) as a caricature of Southern tropes like stetson hats and trailer-park bars. But that’s because Memphis likes to keep it real.

Keeping the partying real

Stroll down Beale St on any weekend night and you’ll see the same ubiquitous, wheeled peddle taverns (aka “party bikes”) that first gained popularity in Nashville. Except here, passengers use these to bump hip-hop like Three 6 Mafia rather than Toby Keith. And they’ll skip the line for “hot chicken” and head over to Gus’s , where spicy birds are done their way – with the heat cooked in, not lathered on.

That’s not to say that Memphis doesn’t have its own trendy, Southern-influenced restaurants like the brasserie at Bishop and exciting dining spaces like Catherine & Mary’s . Yet Memphians are often content to slide into a well-worn booth at The Bar-B-Q Shop or Cozy Corner Restaurant for a pile of the city’s world-famous barbecue. They also know their chicken wings – and the local hot wing trail might be one of the best in the nation.

Indeed, the best of this town is most often found in its unassuming corners, like the exemplary spirits divvied out in a purple bungalow at Midtown’s Memphis Whistle or the aforementioned jams at Earnestine & Hazel’s and Wild Bill’s – both removed from well-trodden bricks of Beale St.

What you hear in these spaces may become America’s next big sound.

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This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

Nashville vs. Memphis: Who Does It Better?

June 9, 2021 By Caroline Eubanks 5 Comments

If you want to get into a war of words, get into the Nashville vs. Memphis debate. They have very different atmospheres for visitors and are set on opposite sides of the state.

Both Tennessee cities played an important role in American music and are located on a large river. Both destinations are also known for their cuisines, notably dishes like ribs and hot chicken.

If you only have time for one, we’ll help you determine which one is right for you. But to be honest, we think you should see both! Decide for yourself which city is better by traveling the three hours between them by renting a car  or fly between them.

When it comes to the traditional arts, Memphis has a number of art museums including the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art , the Metal Museum , and the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art . Nashville’s Frist Museum of Art is also well regarded with impressive touring exhibits.

Both cities also boast colorful murals and street art. Nashville in particular has dozens of murals in just about every neighborhood. They’re especially popular as backgrounds for photos. Both also excel in the performing arts, with venues for music, dance, and theater. Beale Street and Broadway are also known for their live music venues.

Both cities have incredible art, both in traditional settings and on the streets.

Attractions

Because of their music ties, both Nashville and Memphis have music-related attractions. In Nashville, visitors can tour the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame , and the National Museum of African-American Music. In Memphis, you can tour Graceland , home of Elvis Presley , Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum.

But both also have other things to see. Memphis has the important National Civil Rights Museum , set on the site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Visitors can learn about the history of the area at the Tennessee State Museum or tour The Hermitage , the home of Andrew Jackson.

We’ll call this one a tie because both cities have plenty of attractions to see.

Nashville and Memphis are both located near major highways, making day trips a breeze. If you’re staying in Nashville , visit the many nearby historic towns, including Franklin , Columbia, and Lynchburg. Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky are also accessible within a few hours’ drive.

From Memphis , enter the Mississippi Blues Trail by traveling south through Tunica, Clarksdale, and Cleveland. Or head to Tupelo to visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley and a stop along the Natchez Trace Parkway . Little Rock, Arkansas is also an easy day trip.

We’ll give it to Nashville for the abundance of nearby charming towns. But if you want to visit the homes of Elvis and the blues, Memphis is a better place to stay.

Drinking and Nightlife

While Nashville’s rowdy bachelorette party crowd is well known, both cities have plenty of nightlife. For the honky-tonks and rooftop bars with views of the city skyline, Nashville is your best bet. The George Jones , Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge , Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar , and White Limozeen are just a few of the many options.

Memphis has the market cornered on dive bars including favorites like Earnestine and Hazel’s , Hernando’s Hideaway, and Raiford’s Disco. Both cities also have craft breweries like Nashville’s Yazoo and Bearded Iris and Memphis’ Wiseacre and Ghost River.

This one is really a matter of preference. Personally, I love a dive bar, so I side with Memphis, but it’s up to you.

Nashville may get much of the culinary acclaim, but don’t let Memphis fool you. The Bluff City has its fair share of incredible restaurants. Both claim celeb chefs and international eateries, not to mention both white tablecloth fine dining spots and old-school joints.

In Nashville, see and be seen at Jonathan Waxman’s Adele’s , Sean Brock’s Husk, and Maneet Chauhan’s Chauhan Ale & Masala House. But don’t forget classic spots like Arnold’s Country Kitchen , Loveless Cafe , and Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack .

Memphis is home to Kelly English’s culinary empire, including The Second Line , the namesake family’s Neely’s Barbecue, and chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman’s Hog & Hominy . Or enjoy authentic Memphis ribs at Corky’s Ribs & BBQ or Elvis’ favorite sandwich at The Arcade Restaurant .

I know many people would say Nashville, but I’ve had incredible food in both cities.

Green Spaces

What about green spaces? Nashville is rapidly expanding, but there are a handful of spots to wander. Centennial Park, which includes the Parthenon , is one of the best parks in the city, boasting 132 acres near the Vanderbilt campus. Percy Warner Park is another, sprawling across 3,100 acres.

Fannie Mae Dees Park , nicknamed “Dragon Park,” and 55-acre Cheekwood Gardens are other favorite Nashville parks, especially with families . Located just 3 miles from downtown  Nashville  along the Cumberland River, the  Shelby Bottoms Greenway  is another welcome escape.

But Memphis also has some places to spread out. The 100-acre Memphis Botanic Garden was established in 1947 in Overton Park. It has features like a Japanese Garden, an azalea trail, and a daffodil hill, which are popular with families . Explore the 300-acres of Overton Park with its trails, two museums, a zoo, a golf course, and a historic amphitheater.

Shelby Farms Park boasts 4,500 acres, making it one of the largest in the country, five times larger than Central Park. It has playgrounds and trails. T.O. Fuller State Park is another, set on 1,000 acres built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

You don’t have to go far to see Tom Lee Park . The 30-acre park on the banks of the Mississippi River overlooks the border with Arkansas and was named for an African-American man that saved over 30 from a sinking steamboat in 1925.

For the size of parks alone, this category goes to Memphis.

Hotels and Accommodation

It matters where you stay! Both Nashville and Memphis are seeing a boom in boutique hotels, which is our option of choice. In Nashville, you can’t cross a street without seeing a new one.

Some of the most unique are the Union Station Hotel (in an old train station!), the indoor river of the Gaylord Opryland Resort , and the Dolly Parton -themed spaces at the Graduate Nashville .

But Memphis has its own train station restaurant, The Central Station Memphis . See the ducks that live on the roof of the Peabody Hotel or enjoy rooms inspired by Elvis Presley’s home at the Guest House at Graceland .

Both cities also have plenty of Airbnb properties if you’d rather stay in a private home. Memphis also has nearby campgrounds if you’re traveling with a tent or RV.

Nashville wins for the higher number of hotels, but Memphis gets the win for the affordability of rooms.

Public Transportation

Neither city is known for its efficient public transportation and neither are extensively used by visitors. Instead, many rely on ridesharing apps. But there are options if you’re not traveling with a car.

The  Memphis Area Transit Authority  (MATA) operates buses and the streetcar. The trolley runs in three lines through downtown, including stops at the Amtrak stop. The  buses  cover dozens of routes to reach every part of town, including the airport. Fares are under $2 and exact change is required.

Nashville also has public transportation, but it’s limited to buses. There is a free shuttle around Music Row that visits the tourist hotspots. The city bus goes to Hillsboro, 12 South, the airport, and even neighboring Franklin. Visit the  Nashville MTA  website for details.

While both cities have options, I wouldn’t say that either city wins for public transportation.

Nashville has some incredible shopping, especially in the Hillsboro Village, 12 South, and Broadway areas. Browse for dresses at Draper James, owned by Reese Witherspoon, or records at Third Man, owned by Jack White. And that doesn’t even include all of the other boutiques.

Memphis has shops in pockets of the city including Crosstown Concourse . Here you can find a local wine shop and outposts selling goods like Mo’s Bows. In Cooper-Young, check out vintage stores like Flashback and FOX+CATVINTAGE.

We’ve got to give this one to Nashville. Where else can you get prints from concerts, vintage Levi’s jeans, and freshly pressed records?

Walkability

The song may be “Walking in Memphis,” but both cities have walkable pockets. In Memphis, neighborhoods like downtown, Beale Street, and Cooper-Young are easy to get around by foot. In Nashville, it’s the Gulch, Broadway, 12 South, and Hillsboro Village.

Both cities have areas where you can mostly walk but getting between them is difficult by foot. It’s a tie!

At the end of the day, Memphis and Nashville tie in the important areas. No matter which city you decide to visit, you’re sure to enjoy yourself.

Do you prefer Memphis or Nashville? Let us know in the comments!

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

Reader Interactions

July 21, 2021 at 3:48 pm

I am from Memphis but Nashville has surpassed Memphis! Much better looking skyline! Nashville is a southern city that’s on the rise!

June 7, 2022 at 3:47 pm

Im from memphis and I also agree nashville has bloom into a beautiful city its a different world when youre from memphis visiting nashville ????

August 16, 2021 at 12:48 pm

January 12, 2022 at 5:32 pm

Memphis is better if u like that big city vibe and diverse. Nashville if you like country.Nashville city limits starts way out in the farms an rural areas.

June 18, 2023 at 5:13 pm

I’m frm memphis just gone go to Nashville mane

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Comparison Guide: Nashville vs Memphis

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Tennessee is never a bad choice for vacation.

Videos by TravelAwaits

From bachelorette parties in Nashville to catching a live show in Memphis to exploring gems like Sevierville , there’s always a memorable adventure in reach.

That being said, it’s easy to get a bit turned around as an out-of-state traveler. While Americans across the country know they can’t go wrong in a place like Memphis or Nashville, not too many can name what differentiates these famous cities.

But when it comes to cost, activities, reputation, atmosphere, and more, there are key distinctions that you need to know before booking hotels or flights.

Want to explore Tennessee but aren’t sure which big city to visit? Here’s your comparison guide for Nashville vs Memphis.

Nashville is way bigger… and pricier

Nashville’s population has been rising steadily over the last few years. Its population recently reached over 1.2 million. Memphis, by contrast, has around 650,000 residents—around half the population of Nashville.

This changes the traveler’s experience in one crucial way: Spending.

Thanks to Nashville’s larger metropolitan area and its healthier economy, it’s Tennessee’s most expensive city.

And thanks to its reputation as a popular bachelor and bachelorette party destination, tourist infrastructure is readily available—but it’s pricey as hell compared to Memphis.

Depending on what type of trip you’re planning, you might consider sticking to Memphis for a more affordable vacation.

Country music vs blues

Tennessee has left its mark on American culture through its musical contributions.

Both Nashville and Memphis are renowned for their influence on modern music—in the same way that New Orleans is regarded as the birthplace of jazz.

But can you name the difference between the musical legacies from Nashville vs Memphis? Nashville is the de facto capital of country music. It’s home to the US’s Country Music Hall of Fame and hosts the CMAs—just to name a few.

Memphis, by contrast, is the birthplace of blues, which makes it the birthplace of subsequent genres like rock’n roll. Its famous downtown Beale Street was where early blues shows from the 1910s and 1920s first took off.

Memphis has a small-town vibe

Given Nashville is twice the size of Memphis, it shouldn’t be too surprising that Memphis offers more of a small-town vibe.

In fact, I’ve seen multiple residents compare the city to New Orleans. People are proud of its musical roots and welcoming atmosphere.

There’s also a stronger sense of Southern hospitality. Unlike Nashville, Memphis is located in the upper section of the Mississippi Delta.

That means the city is more ethnically diverse and a lot more similar to places like NOLA and Jackson, Mississippi. If you’re looking for a truly laid-back vibe, Memphis should be your choice.

Nashville has larger events & venues

On the other hand, if you’re on the hunt for massive venues and fancy shows, you can’t beat Nashville.

In fact, its downtown strip has transformed into a music-forward nightlife scene. From The Cannery Ballroom to the Station Inn, it’s hard to wander around without finding a great live music scene.

But it’s worth pointing out that you’ll be paying top dollar to hang out at these establishments. With its popularity rising, Nashville’s prices also continue to rise—especially in the hospitality industry.

Food staples: hot chicken vs BBQ

Just like their music scenes, you’re not going to be disappointed with either city when it comes to great eats.

Both are known for being stopovers on the US’s barbecue belt —but the BBQ scenes in each city are distinct. Memphis is known for traditional barbecue fare, while Nashville specializes in a dish called hot chicken.

Memphis slow-cooks its barbecue in pits. Most pitmasters are generous when it comes to brushing on sauces or dry rubs.

Nashville’s hot chicken is also generously seasoned—then fried and served atop a piece of white bread. The good news here is that you can’t go wrong with either. 

Tay Belgeri is a freelance writer with global experience. Her work has appeared in AP News, Ranker, Notion, OK! Magazine, MSN, and other major publications. Her specialty is culture, from sports to high fashion—along with a myriad of travel topics, from reciprocal travel to ecotourism to ethnography. Originally from Missouri, she now lives in Spain. In a few years, she will have spent more time outside the US than inside it. Her favorite career highlights are acquiring grants to launch NYC’s first Indigenous People’s Day celebration, presenting research at the National Council for Undergraduate Research, and being shortlisted for the Foreword INDIES.