Choose Asheville if…
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- you want lots of private group options for friends to book together
- you love the setting: blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore Estate, waterfalls and one of America's best small-city food and beer scenes
Choose Nashville if…
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- your date is outside peak summer: fewer activities here depend on the season
- you want special-occasion restaurants for a splurge night
Side by side
| Asheville | Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | April to June, September to early November | April to May, September to October |
| Getting there | Asheville Regional (AVL) is 20 minutes from downtown. Charlotte (CLT) is about 2 hours. | Nashville International (BNA) is about 15 minutes from downtown, with direct flights from most US cities. |
| Car needed? | Mostly yes | Mostly yes |
| Activity prices | Mid-range | Budget-friendly |
| Group-friendly activities | 12 of 12 | 9 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 6 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 4 |
| Adventure activities | 5 | 4 |
| Full-day trips | 2 | 1 |
| Seasonal activities | 2 | 0 |
| Budget eats on our list | 4 | 5 |
| Currency | US dollar (USD). | US dollar (USD). |
| Tipping | Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity. | Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity. |
| Dinner time | Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead. | Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead. |
Top group activities in Asheville
- Biltmore Estate visit. America's largest home, gardens and a winery tasting on the estate.
- Asheville brewery tour. Three craft breweries with tastings and behind-the-scenes stops.
- Downtown food tour. Farm-to-table bites, chocolate and Appalachian classics.
- Blue Ridge Parkway scenic tour. Overlooks, short hikes and mountain views along America's favorite drive.
Top group activities in Nashville
- Grand Ole Opry show. The live radio show that made country music famous, with several artists every night.
- Broadway honky-tonk and live music pub crawl. A guide takes your group to the best bars with live bands on Lower Broadway.
- Nashville food tour with hot chicken. Taste hot chicken, biscuits and barbecue on a guided walk through a local neighborhood.
- Jack Daniel's distillery day trip to Lynchburg. Tour the famous whiskey distillery with a tasting, plus a stop in small-town Tennessee.
Questions couples ask
Is Asheville or Nashville better for a destination wedding?
Choose Asheville if guests are staying longer and want day trips. Choose Nashville if you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat.
When is the best time for a wedding in Asheville and Nashville?
Asheville: April to June, September to early November. Nashville: April to May, September to October.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Asheville or Nashville?
Asheville: Asheville Regional (AVL) is 20 minutes from downtown. Charlotte (CLT) is about 2 hours. Nashville: Nashville International (BNA) is about 15 minutes from downtown, with direct flights from most US cities.
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