As travelers interested in exploring the world, we all too often find ourselves thinking of travel only in terms of the exotic, the far-flung, the places that are totally unfamiliar to us. And in turn we overlook places that seem too close, too similar. But places closer to us can be just as unique as those that are farther away; if you look a little harder, you can even discover a new side of your own backyard.

Nashville is a great example of cities that fall into that category – places that just don’t seem exotic enough. Even as far as US cities go, it’s often overlooked. But for a low-cost weekend trip, Nashville has a lot to offer. There are tons of things to do in Nashville, including exploring the area’s musical history and discovering the local dining scene – heavy on the barbecue of course. And, with a lower cost of living for residents comes a lower cost of visiting for tourists who will find that drinking, dining and shopping are cheaper here than they might expect.

There are direct flights to Nashville available from many US cities, and since the city is centrally located, it’s just a short flight from most departure cities. It’s also easy to find cheap hotels in Nashville, especially during winter off-season, when hotels are trying to fill rooms and will offer even lower prices.

Nashville’s not Paris, or even New York City, but it does have an appeal all it’s own. So if you’re looking for a low-cost weekend getaway, why not give Nashville a second glance?

Photo by relic57