We are country music fans who have never been to Branson or Nashville. If you have been to both, how do they compare? Lodging, music, shows, cost, food, drink, etc.? Would appreciate your recommendations and/or things to watch out for.

Nashville has real country music and a lot of other urban stuff to enjoy. Branson has homogenized country music and some wonderful natural beauty nearby, IF you look for it.

I'd recommend the former unless getting away from urban areas is absolutely vital to you. And, for some people, that's exactly why they go to Branson -- to escape any semblance of urban culture.

We enjoy both places.

Nashville is real country music. You can find all kinds of lodging and food here. A visit to The Hermitage(Andrew Jackson home) is a good option in Nashville, too. A short trip out of town to The Loveless Cafe is a must, IMOP. One of our favorite stops there is Las Paleta's(popsicles-they are really good). Of course, plenty of places for music and history.

Branson is an inexpensive, touristy, hokie dokie place. It is more hillbilly, bluegrass, variety stuff than true country music.
There is nothing upscale at all in Branson for food or lodging, IMOP.
Best show is The Haygoods. Have seen them a dozen times. Silver Dollar City is an amusement park that is decent and they do have original food items here compared to most other amusement parks.
SDC often times has free major concerts-often Southern Gospel. They also have a few good free shows each day. Several other shows are certainly worth seeing. If you order your tickets far enough in advance you can almost always score front row seats at about any show. Expect very few places to serve liquor, this is a real clean family type of place. 95% of the places to stay in Branson are very similar. Think Holiday Inn Express/La Quinta Inn type places-clean,ordinary. They do have a few cabins for rent.

The strip can be very hard to navigate in a car, but many of the alternate roads make it much easier to get around. I'm not sure just how much tornado damage they had, so that might be something you want to check on. I think a couple of the theatres and hotels had damage, but I'm not sure which ones.

Weather is often nice, even in the summer in Branson. Nashville can be hot.

Branson is full of more than one Bible belt sort of show and is kinda known for having theatres started by people who were long gone from prime time. Think Andy Williams, etc. It is pretty countryside and I am sorry but it can be hot and humid on the shores of Lake Taneycomo in the Summer.

The Hilton downtown was probably the most upscale place to stay but it was damaged by the recent tornado.

This thing about Nashville having "real" country music is amusing but it is obviously a matter of opinion. Dress it up and call it Grand Ole Opry but you know what it really is. I do think you'll find the variety of things to see and do and listen to more extensive in Nashville for sure.

They are completely different animals. It's been several years since I was in Branson, but I'd compare it more to Pigeon Forge than Nashville. If you're looking for nature nearby, outlet shopping and the Andy Williams/Osmonds sorts of shows, Branson is your better bet.

Nashville has different sorts of attractions: the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman would be musts if you're country fans (I'm not even that big a fan and I love them both for the history behind them). The Grand Ole Opry is fun, though be aware that the Opryland complex isn't near much else. As others have mentioned, there are other attractions around town - the Hermitage, Belle Meade Plantation, etc.

In terms of live music, if you walk around Lower Broadway you can wander into a honky-tonk and hear country covers any time you want. If you're looking for more of a concert, many of the smaller shows around town are more rock/Americana than country. The Bluebird Cafe is a very popular place for music lovers - it's very focused on songwriters and the music, as opposed to the bars and clubs where there will be a lot of chattering in the crowd in addition to the music onstage. As far as food and hotels, you'll find a lot of variety in both.

When would your trip be? CMA Fest (formerly known as Fan Fair) is in early to mid-June every year. It's a huge event for country music - tons of big-name performers all in a few days. It might be a little late to make plans for this year (I'm not sure what hotel availability would be like), but if you're big country fans, it would be something to keep on the radar.

I am NOT a C & W fan, but I have been to The Grand Ole Opry, and to me, this is a real must for any C&W afectionado, to do this once. Nashville actually also has fairly respectable jazz in some restaurants, but you have to get here and get a Mag called the "Nashville Scene" (available for free in most hotel lobbies) and check out some of the live music venues.

Dukey,
Just where would you go to hear country music then? I'm curious.

There are very few "has beens" in Branson now.
Haygoods, Hughes, Tabuchi, Six.

I can't think of any of the top shows right now that are "has beens" They are either fairly new or established as a Branson Original that has been there for a few years. I looked on TA, and none of the TOP 20"long gone from their prime"

Definately two different Animals as jent mentions.

Thank you all for your very illuminating comments. Most helpful, for sure.

As above, they are both very different destinations.

Branson has more of its attractions closer together than Nashville, although not walkable, even though that might be faster sometimes! There is an nice excursion train (station is downtown), Silver Dollar City--an Ozarks-themed amusement park, but there are also craftspeople to watch, good food, and it really is very pretty--the first time I went I was surprised at that. You can also tour the cave on the grounds. The same company also owns a more traditional amusement park and a water park. Branson is very wholesome, entertainment-wise. As Bart Simpson once said, "my dad says Branson is like Las Vegas, if it was run by Ned Flanders."

The Hilton was damaged in the recent tornado, but another nice place is Chateau by the Lake.