Does it make sense to visit Nashville in the winter? We are planning our fall and winter trips and Nashville has been on my list a long time. We could do Thanksgiving, around Christmas break or Jan/Feb.
I think driving in Jan/ Feb from the Chicago area could be a problem because of snow or ice storms, but we would have enough frequent flier miles to fly
Otherwise I could wait until summer, but we tend to get cabin fever. We are planning Sarasota for spring break late March for our warm getaway. So we need something in between Oct- Feb as we have nothing planned for then.
Nashville in winter is usually pretty mild. November could go either way; sometimes it's 60's, sometimes it's 20's, but 40-50 for daytime temps is more common. Rain is possible especially in November. Winter itself is very similar. It does snow here occasionally, but almost never before Christmas and usually only 2-3 times a year and usually a dusting or just an inch or two. Even if you're from Chicago and used to driving in snow, i wouldn't really recommend it because there is usually ice underneath, the infrastructure isn't there for really good salting and plowing, and most importantly no one here knows how to drive in it so the road systems just get virtually locked down from accidents etc. BUT in the rare chance it does snow while you're here, the snow usually melts from roads by noon anyway.
I think in comparison to other cities in the same time frame, Nashville is a good option. Unless you compare it with Florida.
Oh and I wouldn't recommend summer after May. My car said it was 105 today and it was super humid. Not bad for spending time at the pool, but I would not have wanted to walk up and down the hilly streets of downtown Nashville today!
Of course a lot of it just depends what you plan to do while here also.
Southern KY gets a little more snow but still not much. Hopkinsville seems to get hit hard for some reason. Inside the cave the temp should be the same all year, but the wet season may cause some changes as well as it getting dark early (I think MC is still Central time like Nashville).
Nashville usually only gets a dusting here or there, maybe ice, but hardly ever before Christmas. If you are doing the adult trip, the strip in Nashville is pretty wild. Lots of bars and live music, and the weather only matters going from one bar to the other. We go in March all the time for the SEC tournament.
I don't know the exact date they go up, but in November, when the Opryland hotel is decorated it is something, there is some kind of ice tour? Not actually been on it, just saw some pictures, usually geared towards kids. The Opry is an experience if you like country.
They have a Top golf now which the entire family likes.