Both cities offer unique experiences for any family to enjoy, whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway or you’re looking to have some fun memories to take with you.
Being in the middle of choosing one destination versus the other can seem pretty nerve-wracking, as both cities are beautiful and full of rich history that catches the attention of those who aren’t even history buffs.
In one town, you will be captivated by beignets, ghost stories, and jazz, while in the other, you’ll be blown away by the concerts that sweep the city. Still not sure which one calls out to you? Stick around to learn more about what these two beautiful cities offer!
Both cities offer significant airports with a wide variety of flights coming both in and out, and if you seek a trip full of music and entertainment, they both have great bars with live music. New Orleans and Nashville have so many places to visit and so many things to do that it’s perfect for a weekend getaway for any family.
Now that we have gone over what both cities have in common let’s break down what makes them unique.
What to Expect in New Orleans
New Orleans attracts individuals from all over the world with its French roots and its rich background. It’s one of the most vibrant and eccentric cities, filled with fantastic food, the friendliest community, and remarkable attractions.
If you’re looking to have a great night out in the town, then you must visit the famous Bourbon Street where the party starts as soon as the sun goes down. It will be easy to spot with neon lights throughout the street, balconies filled with beads, and loud music throughout it.
And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get an up-close view of one of New Orleans ‘ oldest celebrated traditions; Mardi Gras. Every year, New Orlean residents all join along with this special event as thousands of individuals dress up and partake in the parade filled with dances, costumes, and music as the city becomes one, showering those who visit with the famous beads.
One suggestion, though, if you are with your family and children, this street isn’t kid-friendly when the party begins and can get pretty chaotic as many individuals tend to get carried away with their alcohol consumption. So be very careful and aware of your surroundings as with any new city you visit.
If you’re with your family and are looking to spend more of a quiet time, then you won’t be bored as New Orleans offers many things to enjoy with your loved ones. You can enjoy the beautiful sound of Jazz music playing throughout the streets, enjoy some delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine and walk through the historic French Quarters to take in all this wonderful city has to offer.
While the French Quarters is breathtakingly beautiful, the hotels can get pretty pricey in this area, so make sure you research all available hotels and keep your options open so you can truly enjoy your trip.
The great thing is that even if you’re not staying close to the tourist attractions, New Orleans offers historic train cars and ferries to get you where you want to be in a matter of minutes.
Another thing you want to keep in mind when choosing a hotel in the area is that the crime rate is about 40% higher in this city than in Nashville, so making sure you rent in a safe place is highly suggested before booking any rooms.
Now, if you are looking to relax and soak in some sun while you’re visiting this city, you can always check out Gulfport, MS. While it isn’t inside New Orleans, you can squeeze it into your itinerary as it is only one hour and twenty-four minutes away from the city.
It allows you to enjoy both cities in one day and not miss out on anything you can do while visiting New Orleans. If the beach isn’t your go-to, you can always engage in the swamp tours outside of the city to get a feel of the Louisiana swamps and get a glimpse of all the beautiful animals you’ll cross paths with during the excursion.
For those couples or families seeking the darker side of New Orleans and those paranormal-seeking fans like myself, you can check out the ghost tours that the city offers all those interested to learn more about its dark past. You can opt for a ghost walking tour or tours that take you in carriages or ferries that offer different times to fit your schedule.
These tours will take you to the cities most haunted locations, including cemeteries, haunted houses, and the infamous Madame Lalaurie’s mansion. Not only will you get to learn the dark secrets that the city holds, its voodoo past, but you might get lucky and leave with a souvenir of a ghostly image on your phone!
What to Expect in Nashville
Now that we discussed what New Orleans offers its guests, let’s talk about what Nashville has to offer its visitors.
Like NO, Nashville has lots of great bars and live music where you can sit back and enjoy listening to country music and indulge in some delicious southern food. If learning about the city’s music history is the reason for your stay, you can check out their Music City Walk of Fame. You can trace their rich musical history by walking through a set of plaques dedicated to the artists who have connected with this exciting city.
If you plan to do a bit of walking to take in all of Nashville’s beautiful sights, be sure to check out the historic John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which will give you great views of the Cumberland River.
Nashville can get pretty expensive if you plan to stay in the downtown area since the area is always in high demand due to the low supply of available rooms. So make sure you reserve your rooms before landing rather than looking for places to stay when you arrive, and you might get lucky with a vacant space!
Within the past 20 years, this city has gained popularity, being that it’s known as the capital of country music. It has significant concerts and frequent events for those music enthusiasts looking to partake in them. You can find around 4-5 pretty decent-sized music venues throughout the city, so finding one that fits your style won’t be an issue.
Now, suppose you’re like me, wanting to explore the city and try all the excursions available. In that case, you can visit their Corvette Museum, which is about 45 minutes away, and also stop by the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, which is about an hour away from Nashville. If you and your family are up for a drive, you can make a day out of it and visit the famous Dollywood, where you and your family can enjoy a fun day riding all types of rides and feeling like a kid again.
If nature’s your calling, you can enjoy several parks around the city, such as Radnor Lake and Percy Warner, to enjoy the day under the sun and do some hiking with your partner or family. Compared to New Orleans, the only downside to Nashville is that Nashville does not offer as many transportation services as NO does, so you’ll most likely have to drive around the city to get to where you want to go, versus jumping on the trollies.
Nashville’s crime rate is less than New Orleans, so you feel more at ease while planning your trip and itinerary with your loved ones. But, just like any other city, you still have to research which areas would be more family-friendly to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
So whether you decide to visit New Orleans to get lost in their magic, or you want to spend your weekend taking in the history of country music and sightseeing, you’re more than prepared to choose whichever city calls out to you! Both cities are beautiful in their way and offer many breathtaking sights to take back home beautiful memories with your family.
