Also known as “Music City,” Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the music capitals of the world. There is always an abundance of vibrance, sounds, and instruments in Nashville, as it is regarded as the birthplace of country music.
Visiting the city will give you a true snapshot of the true American culture. If you plan on visiting Nashville, don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes! Nashville is a great destination to visit year-round with many things to see and do in every season.
The best months to visit Nashville are in the summer, between June and August, as that is when the weather is most pleasant and there is the largest presence of tourists and liveliness in the city.
The best time to visit Nashville is during the summer (June-August). This is the peak season for live music bars and concerts, and you can fully immerse yourself the cultural experience that Nashville has to offer.
If you are a budget traveler, it is best to visit Nashville in the winter (December-March) for the lowest prices. With proper winter gear, you can still explore all the city has to offer while saving hundreds of dollars.
Table of Contents
Average Temperature In Nashville
Nashville enjoys hot summers and very temperate winters. If you visit during the summer (June-early September), expect temperatures to vary around a high of 90°F (32°C) during the day, and lows around 65-70°F (18-21°C) during the night and early morning.
Winter in Nashville is quite pleasant compared to other northern US states. Winter in the city stems from December to March. Average high temperatures during this season are between 47-60°F (8-15°C).
Winter lows can reach near or below freezing, with temperatures dropping as low as 30°F (-1°C). Fall and spring are the mild shoulder seasons in Nashville. Spring high and low temperatures range from 40-80°F (4-26°C). Fall temperatures can range from 40-70°F (4-21°C).
Daily Chance Of Precipitation In Nashville
Rainfall and precipitation vary in Nashville based on the season of the year. The city receives rain all year round. On average, the rainiest months of the year are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and December.
May is the wettest month, with an average of five inches of precipitation. October is the driest month, with an average of 3.2 inches of precipitation. The average amount of annual precipitation in Nashville is about 50 inches per year.
In the winter, Nashville also gets snowfall. The city receives about 4-5 inches of snow per year. Snow is not abundant in Nashville as compared to some northern U.S. states. The city gets about two to three days of snowfall a year, with about an inch or two of snowfall each time. Nashville experiences drastic variations in humidity based on the season of the year.
Humidity Comfort Levels In Nashville
The city’s most humid season stretches about 4-5 months, from May to late September. During this time, there is extreme humidity or mugginess about 20% of the time. July is the most humid month in Nashville, with a humidity percentage average of about 75% on a given day.
The periods with the lowest humidity are between November and March, with humidity levels not surpassing 15% on average. The least humid month of the year is January, with nearly zero days of muggy conditions.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Nashville For Great Weather
For weather that is warm but not overwhelmingly hot and humid, it is best to visit Nashville during the early summer of May through early June. During this time, the average high temperatures peak around 80-85°F (26-29°C).
It is still enjoyable to visit Nashville during the middle of the summer, albeit you will experience higher heat and humidity. Summer is still a great season to visit for pleasant weather.
The warm weather cools slightly at night, making it the perfect temperature to wander around with shorts and a t-shirt. If you are not a fan of hot and humid weather, another great season to visit Nashville is the fall.
Between late September and through October, the weather begins to become chillier, but still not cold enough to have to bundle up. It is great for walking and exercising outside, without becoming sweaty in the summer.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Nashville For Low Prices
If you want to save money when traveling to Nashville, visit during its low season in the winter, which is approximately between November and March. During this time, the weather is the coldest of the entire year, and you will find the biggest discounts on hotels and airfare.
Bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops will also have their lowest seasons during the winter, so you are sure to find discounted rates there as well. This also means that expensive hotels or resorts may be affordable during this time, so you can have a luxury travel experience for less.
In addition to the lowest prices, visiting Nashville in the winter also ensures you will find the smallest tourist crowds all year. Because of this, you can avoid long lines to enter bars or restaurants and have more intimate live music experiences.
The shoulder season of fall is also a great time to visit Nashville for lower prices. Overall cost will not be as low as the winter, but you have the extra benefits of milder weather, and stunning views from the changing autumn leaves.
It’s also a great time to participate in traditional American autumn activities, such as sipping on a pumpkin coffee at a local café or visiting a pumpkin patch to pick and carve a pumpkin. If winter is too cold for you to visit as a budget traveler, consider visiting in the fall.
Peak Travel Season In Nashville
Nashville’s highest season is undoubtedly the summer, because of the city’s pleasant and warm weather and large influx of tourists. The possibilities of activities are endless, and there is always something to see or do on every corner.
Summer is the best time to stroll through Broadway, downtown Nashville’s main avenue full of restaurants, bars, and shops. Lower Broadway is considered the entertainment district of Nashville and is the heart of the honky-tonk and country music scene of the city.
It is best to visit Broadway during the night, as that is when the street becomes alive. Be sure to check out some of the renowned country music bars, where artists like Jimmy Rogers got their start in their careers.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, summer is the best time to rent a kayak along the city’s river. If you want to be fully immersed in nature, Nashville is conveniently located near several Tennessee state parks, such as Montgomery, Cummins, and Radnor Lake State Parks.
If you are an adventure traveler and have several days on your itinerary, take advantage of the warm summer weather by taking a road trip to Smoky Mountains National Park, located four hours outside of Nashville.
The park is the most visited in the entire U.S., with nearly 12 million visitors per year. With good reason, Smoky Mountains National Park offers incredibly scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tennessee, with options to hike, camp, and swim.
Shoulder Travel Season In Nashville
The shoulder seasons in Nashville are autumn (late September-November) and spring (late March-May). These are seasons when the weather is more temperate and pleasant, and the city still has a busy vibe without the influx of tourists.
If you visit during the shoulder seasons, you can enjoy everything that Nashville has to offer without the giant crowds. These are also great times to be able to pack more lightly in comparison to the winter, as you won’t need anything heavier than a light jacket and long pants.
Planning a trip to Nashville in the fall can be just as scenic as the summer, as you will experience the vibrant changing of the autumn leaves. If visiting during the peak autumn time of mid-October, you will be amazed by an amazing color show, perfect for travel photos.
If you are not from the United States, November is a great time to visit Nashville, as you can witness the observance of Thanksgiving, a national holiday in the country. Many restaurants will offer Thanksgiving dinners, with the traditional roast turkey, mashed potatoes, beans, and stuffing which is typically served in American households for the holiday. Also be sure to take try the typical American desserts during this season, such as pumpkin pie!
If visiting during the spring, you will be greeted with the blooming of the city’s wildflowers. Check out the local hiking trails to get a glimpse. One of the best spots to see the blooming flowers is Beaman Park, in the Henry Hollow and Ridgetop Trails.
Low Travel Season In Nashville
Nashville’s lowest season of the year is during the winter, around November or December to March. This is because of the city’s cold weather. It’s a great time to visit if you want to save a lot of money. Although Nashville and its downtown are not operating at their full vibrant capacity during the winter, you can still experience most of its authentic elements during the winter season.
Winter in Nashville is very temperate in comparison to the northern states of the US, like New York or Massachusetts, which routinely see below-freezing temperatures during the day. With an average high of 50-60°F (10-16°C), Nashville is a cakewalk in comparison.
The prospective winter traveler to Nashville should pack plenty of appropriate winter clothing, such as jackets, sweaters, warm socks, and shoes for a day out in Nashville to feel comfortable.
Visiting Nashville in the winter can be just as vibrant as the summer if you visit during the Christmas and New Year seasons in December and January. You can find tons of spots with great Christmas light displays at night.
The Cheekwood Botanical Gardens puts on a magnificent decoration during the holidays, where you can stroll the gardens decorated with lights. Winter is also the best time to visit the Gaylord Opryland, an amusement center and gallery full of giant ice sculptures of beloved American Christmas characters. It is customary to put on a bright blue parka when entering, which makes for a great photoshoot.
Best Months For Travel To Nashville
For the music enthusiast and non-enthusiast alike, Nashville is a must-see city on the East Coast of the United States. Full of history, culture, and a vibrant nightlife, there is no doubt that you will not leave your trip in Nashville without dancing.
There is a wide abundance of things to do and see in Nashville year-round. The best part of the city is Broadway, a major avenue which runs through the southwest to the northeast of the city. It is full of lively country and honky-tonk bars, restaurants, and live music at any hour of the day or night.
The best time to visit Nashville is in the summer, between June and August, as that is when the weather is most pleasant and there is the largest presence of tourists and liveliness in the city. The winter is still a wonderful and very cheap time to visit Nashville, if you can handle some chilliness.
