Closest Beach To Nashville – Top 10+ Beaches You Can Visit

Dec 8, 2022

Last Updated on: Jun 12, 2025

Travel Guides

Why stick to the same beaches in the Nashville area, or even in and around? Have you thought about venturing out to beaches a little far away?

Check out the closest beach to Nashville or even some of the closest beaches near Nashville. 

Nashville is a popular tourist attraction on prestigious lists like the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go. It has a colorful history, great heritage, and architectural excellence. 

However, if you want some coastal fun and some sultry sunbathing seasons, the beaches around Nashville will be your ultimate call!

Closest Beach To Nashville – Top 10 Beaches You Can Visit

Closest Beach To Nashville – Top 10+ Beaches You Can Visit

So here you are, searching for the closest beach to Nashville, TN! And here we are with a curated list featuring the best beaches near Nashville. 

“The Music City” is the door to cool sand and water pursuits. Let’s check out the names.

1. Dauphin Island, Alabama:

Dauphin Island in Alabama is fairly close to Nashville, and it will take you about 7 hours to drive to Mobile since the island is located in the southern part of Mobile. You can also fly to Mobile. 

Spend time playing with the waves and collecting seashells, or take a ferry and visit the beautiful Fort Morgan to check out some dolphins. 

Also, you must not miss out on other prime tourist spots nearby, like,

  • Fort Gaines,
  • Bird Sanctuary, and
  • The Estuarium.

It is quite idyllic and a family-friendly island with beautiful attractions such as the Alabama Aquarium, Mobile Bay Ferry, and others.

Excitement, wildlife, and southern culture are quite apparent in and around Dauphin Island, which has white sand and blue water.

2. Gulf Shores, Alabama:

Gulf Shores, Alabama

While looking for beaches near Nashville, TN, there’s no way you can forget about the Gulf Shores in Alabama. 

It’s pretty popular among tourists, especially Tennessee residents. Located only seven hours drive away from Nashville, the area boasts several lodging options, activities, and fresh seafood. 

The area has amusement parks, entertainment zones, shopping opportunities, and more. 

Plus, if you love educational activities and history, there’s much to do in this area. So just pack your bags already – because the beach awaits you!

With its warm and soothing water, Gulf Shores also has bright white beaches. You can perform daytime activities such as dolphin-watching, hiking, and scenic cruises.

There is an Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and a recreation center with bumper boats called The Track, where you can visit with your family.

Gulf Shores is about to get a Goodwill Center. The 50,000-square-foot facility in Foley will offer job and employment training to the local people. 

With time, it will likely be developed as a community development center. The center is likely to open its doors in the fall of 2025. Then, it will be an added attraction to the places of interest. 

3. Pensacola, Florida:

Pensacola, Florida

There are several beaches close to Nashville but Pensacola, located in Florida, stands out because it will take you less than seven hours to drive from Nashville! Popular for its charming historic culture and exquisite natural beauty, Pensacola is a must-visit. Spanning over eight acres, the historic village of Pensacola is timeless. 

From golfing and go-karting to other fun activities, there’s so much to do when you are bored of the beach. Pensacola is also known as ‘the city of five flags’ since it was passed around in History – you will spot British, French, Confederate, American, and even Spanish flags all over this charming city.

The beach is at the panhandle of Florida surrounded by coastline across 50 plus miles. There is crystal clear bay areas and emerald-green Gulf of Mexico waters; thus, when you visit the beach, you can find a vibe that mixes a bustling metropolitan center and a relaxing beach town!

4. Destin, Florida:

Destin, Florida

Why aren’t you considering Destin, located in Florida? Driving to Destin from Nashville will take only around seven hours! 

Destin has been a prime vacation spot for families! There are several places to eat – you could check out the popular chain dining, Whataburger!

Then there are so many outlet stores for you to visit if you love shopping. If you are traveling with kids, then you have to check out the following places,

  • The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park,
  • Local Zoo, and 
  • Big Kahuna Water Park (only if you travel to Destin during Summer!)

Located in northwest Florida, the area of Destin Beach is called Panhandle! There are natural trails through the dunes of Henderson Beach State Park. There are beautiful oak trees and pine trees where they provide wildlife shelter.

Also, there are waterfalls, pools, tall slides, and Big Kahuna’s water park, so you can explore all these places. The emerald-green waters of the beach are breathtaking, and the geology is unique!

5. Panama City, Florida:

Panama City, Florida

It’s not like there are no beaches in Tennessee. Of course, Tennessee has beaches, but sometimes, venturing a little away from home feels so much better! 

And how can you ignore Panama City, located in Florida? Famed as a destination for Spring Break, it will take you about 7.5 hours to drive to Panama City from Nashville. You can also opt for direct flights.

The beaches span 27 miles, and Panama City farther boats about a hundred public accesses. While you are in Panama City, you must visit Pier Park – you will spot several restaurants, playing areas, bungee jumping opportunities, bumper boats, sky wheels, passenger trains, and plenty of places to shop. 

6. 30A, Florida:

30A, Florida

People in the Middle Tennessee area either have or know others with bumper stickers with 30A on them. This is because 30A has now become perhaps one of the most well-known getaway spots for most residents of Nashville! And that too throughout the whole year. 

30A is not your regular Nashville beach! Instead, it’s a pretty coastal highway with solid touristy spots, like,

  • Miramar Beach,
  • Rosemary Beach,
  • Santa Rosa Beach, and
  • Blue Mountain Beach. 

Read More: 6 Things To Do At The Beach This Fall

7. Tybee Island, Georgia:

Tybee Island, Georgia

Tybee Island might not be the closest beach to Nashville, but that doesn’t mean it’s that far away – you can either drive to Tybee Island in the Savannah region or even directly fly to Savannah. 

If you drive, it will take you more than eight hours; if you take a flight, it will take a little less than two hours. An Atlantic getaway that’s historical – this is exactly what Savannah stands for! Steeped deeply in culture and history, there’s so much to see and do. Explore the local restaurants and shopping outlets at the lighthouse near Tybee Island to make the most of your stay here.

8. Gulfport, Mississippi:

While looking up the closest ocean beach to Nashville TN, it’s impossible not to stumble upon Gulfport, located in Mississippi. The entire Mississippi coastline is unforgettable. It takes about seven hours to drive from Nashville, or you could also do something adventurous and fly to New Orleans – it will be worth the trip!

The area boasts miles of beaches known for their beautiful sand, fun attractions, and exciting water activities. Once you are done spending time on the beach, don’t forget to check out, 

  • The Gulfport children’s museum,
  • INFINITY Science Center, a space facility by NASA,
  • A famous aquarium,
  • Drag racing,
  • Waterparks, and
  • The railroad museum.

9. Charleston, South Carolina:

Move any beach in Tennessee over, because it’s time for Charleston to shine! Yes, it will take you more than 8 hours to drive to Charleston, located in South Carolina, or a flight of 1.5 hours, but who cares? It will be worth the journey. Another coast town in the Atlantic steeped deeply in history, this place is perfect for visiting with your family, especially kids. 

If you love visiting historical spots, you have to visit Fort Sumter. And that’s not all! Pamper yourself with some spa time and some golfing while your kids can enjoy the children’s museum and the aquarium. You will also get to see some world-class restaurants, sandy beaches, and cobblestone paths.

The easiest way to enjoy South Carolina is to dip your toes in the white sand and enjoy the beautiful weather. It is perfect for frolicking as you can walk across the sand and visit the lighthouses. The beaches are wild hence, you gotta have a towel and a sturdy shoes to enjoy your best!

10. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

It is not the closest beach to Nashville if you have a packed itinerary. It will take you about nine hours to drive to Myrtle Beach, but it’s so worth the drive. 

We say keep at least three to four days in hand while going to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina! 

From cheering the baseball team and Pelicans, riding the gigantic Ferris wheel, visiting New South Brewing MicroBrewery, or even having a night out at some local dinner theater, there’s so much to do here.

Myrtle Beach has a subtropical climate, with 86 golf courses and 1800 restaurants to visit. The Myrtle Beach Area Fact Sheet states that around 17 million people visit Myrtle Beach annually. If you plan to visit the beach, you can take your family to the Kingdom amusement park.

If you love adventure, the SkyWheel is the way to go, considering it is one of the tallest Ferris Wheels in the world.

In 2024, Myrtle Beach was the top trending destination for the Memorial Day weekend in the USA, according to Booking.com reports. 

Tripadvisor also featured it as the second-most coveted destination for the Memorial Day weekend 2024. 

11. Anderson Beach, Tennessee

At just 17 miles from Nashville, Anderson Beach is a popular picnic spot in Tennessee. You will enjoy amenities like picnic grills, tables, and cheap parking sites at this closest beach to Nashville. 

You must pay $5 to park your vehicle for the entire day. Also, restrooms and a shelter make your time at the beach more comfortable. 

Further, on Percy Priest Lake, Anderson Beach is great for canoeing and kayaking. You can even swim in the lake water for a rejuvenating experience. The water here is tranquil, with allocated swimming areas. 

You can relax in the wooded area if you are not in for adventurous outdoor pursuits. 

Frequently Asked Questions!!! (FAQs):

Check out the most frequently asked questions related to the closest beach to Nashville mentioned below. 

1. What Is The Closest Ocean Beach To Nashville?

Ans: The closest beaches to Nashville are as follows,

Pensacola,
Panama City Beach,
Tybee Island,
Hilton Head Beach, and
Gulf Shores.

2. What Is The Best Beach In Tennessee?

Ans: The best beaches in Tennessee are as follows,

Big Ridge Lake,
Cheatham Lake,
Cherokee Lake,
Chickamauga Lake, and
Center Hill Lake.

3. What Is There To See Between Nashville And Gulf Shores?

Ans: The top tourist spots between Nashville and Gulf Shores are as follows,

Lotz House Museum, 
Stones River National Battlefield,
Carnton,
Vulcan Park & Museum,
U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center.

4. What Is The Most Beautiful Town In Tennessee?

Ans: The most beautiful towns in Tennessee are as follows,

Gatlinburg,
Townsend,
Bell Buckle,
Rogersville, and
Jonesborough.

And It’s A Wrap!

Finding the closest beach to Nashville proved to be an adventure, considering we made sure that you are aware of all your options! So now what? What are you still doing here? Pack your bags and get this trip started! All you have to do is plan a kickass trip and make some memories to treasure forever.

In the meantime, don’t forget to share your thoughts and if you have any related past experiences in the comments below.

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Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.

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BY  Sibashree Jan 30, 2025

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Things To Do In San Marcos – Top Activities To Enjoy!

BY  sagnika Feb 9, 2023

Are you planning a trip to San Marcos? Are you wondering what are the best things to do in San Marcos? Do you worry about organising a pleasant trip? You don’t really need to worry because you have arrived at the right destination. We actually visited San Marcos recently. And guess what? It was a crazy trip - we met some amazing people, made some great memories, and came back home so happy. Keep reading, and you will soon have your trip planned - stay tuned! Things To Do In San Marcos - Top Activities To Enjoy Are you already typing ‘things to do in San Marcos tx’ on Google? Come on, stop! You know that one never really works out. There are just way too many search results - we were so spoilt for choice that we ended up wasting a whole lot of time. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the same - you can just save this article and plan your trip accordingly. So without wasting any time, scroll down and checkout the best things to do in San Marcos! 1. San Marcos River: choicehotels.com One of the most fun things to do in San Marcos is to visit the famous river. It’s not really a river - it’s one of those closed water supplies that are unique. Originating from a beautiful natural spring on one side, this river is a popular spot for snorkeling, inner tubing, and swimming. Review By NF2013_13: Beautiful river running through town for so many to enjoy. San Marcos River is spring-fed from the Edwards Aquifer. Who knew Texas had an aquifer? I'm from FL and thought we were the only ones. The river is clear with long flowing grasses growing in parts. We saw kayakers and paddle boarders enjoying their day. The town has adopted "mermaids" as its "known for" character. They are beautiful works of art located throughout the small city. If you're there, check out the Root Cellar Restaurant, and be sure to stop by Kissing Alley. 2. San Marcos Premium Outlets: choicehotels.com We love to shop, and we love buying from premium outlets. So we didn’t literally do the ‘san Marcos things to do’ search to find out all the top premium outlets. You will not just have fun, but you will come back with some crazy clothes! Review By Paul S: This place is HUGE, it is best to go there with a plan of which shops you want to go to. When I was there, it was not so busy, and I could drive from quadrant to quadrant with easy parking everywhere I went. I would not want to be there on a busy day and have to walk the entire place. The range of shops is supreme, but many of them are not outlet or discount shops, so expect to pay full price unless you are a size XS or XXL and can buy off the clearance racks! 3. Central Texas Wing Of The Commemorative Air Force: choicehotels.com There are 7 CAF aircraft in the Central Texas Wing. If you love aircraft or these sorts of activities, then you will have a blast here! You will literally forget about all the fun things to do in San Marcos CA - because this is so much better. You just have to take out words for now, but once you are there, you will know. Review By Liz E: My husband and I popped in here en route to San Antonio to pass an hour, I think we were there for about 4 hours in the end! The guys who volunteer here are so enthusiastic, and we were given our own private tour of the museum. We were even lucky enough to see one of the planes go out on a test flight. I cannot praise these volunteers highly enough for keeping this facility going, and we feel like we have made life-long friends! 4. Wonder World Cave And Park: choicehotels.com One of the best things to do in San Marcos TX, is to visit the beautiful Wonder World Cave! This is the first show cave here, and tourists have enjoyed visiting this cave for over a hundred years now. The place has only evolved, and you will even find a park with several entertainment zones. Review By Viorica: We had a great visit. The cave is beautiful. Our tour guide Olivia was awesome, she gave us lots of good information, and overall she is just a sweet person. I only wish we had a little more time in the cave rooms for pictures. If you wanted to take pictures, you had to stay back from the group and do so otherwise, the tour moved pretty fast. P.S if you plan to visit, make sure you wear nonslip shoes because the cave is wet and slippery. 5. Tanger Outlets San Marcos: choicehotels.com From crazy designer brands to crazy merchandise, you will save so much if you shop from Tanger outlets. If you love shopping as much as we do, then this is perhaps one of the first spots to hit. Yes, you can bargain - isn’t that what you need to save a few bucks? And whatever you save, you can use to shop some more. Review By Traveler Mom: Tanger outlets are the best outlets, and the San Marcos location is no exception. Great options of stores that fit variables ages and badges. Guess and Disney stores were my favorites, and their employees are very kind, active, and helpful. There is no real kids' area, so be aware of this if you are visiting with young kids. 6. The Wittliff Collections: choicehotels.com The Wittliff Collections was first founded in 1986, dedicated to collect and preserve the legendary Southwest’s creative legacy. This was done to foster ‘the spirit of place,’ so there’s no way you can miss out on this legendary spot. One of the best things to do in San Marcos, you can’t miss out on The Wittliff Collections. Review By Shelly R: Once we understood where to park. Being in the college library was quiet and not crowded. We went for the Lonesome Dove Exhibit, and you get to see the original clothing on mannequins and some behind glass, but you basically get a personal walk-through. The room was small, but the student who let us in to view it said they would be expanding the collection. Absolutely amazing to see original stuff from this movie, especially if you're a Texan, Western, and Lonesome Dove fan! 7. San Diego Zoo Safari Park Wanna go on a safari ride? There is a San Diego Zoo but there is the safari park which is situated in Escondido which is about 20 minutes far from San Marcos! If you are visiting any of the cities such as Poway, Temescula, Vista and Carlsbad, you can easily visit this zoo because this is the closest. The visiting hours are from 9 am To 6 pm while you will have to pay $69 as adults for entry while $59 for kids below 11 years of age! Review By Bill E Lots of areas to cover. Realistic settings for most of the animals. The "extras" were pricey. Open Truck safari wasn't really worth it although the animals were in a more natural setting. Zipline was a lot of fun but expensive for a 4 minute ride. If you have the bucks go for it. With the construction going on I would skip the balloon ride. 8. Trek Bicycle North County There are many trails across San Marcos so you can just rent a bike and travel around the place! You can rent the bicycle which costs around $75 to $100 from 11 am to 6 pm. The North County in San Marcos is perfect for bike treks hence, it is convenient for outdoorsy people. You can go on a beachside adventure, events or culinary experience on your electric bike! There are many trails across San Marcos so you need to just go!  Review By Sheree C A fabulous ride peddling or not! As a family we really enjoyed it. All the little interesting stories along the way made it really fantastic. I would definitely recommend this experience. 9. Legoland Visit the iconic amusement park in San Diego when you have a trip planned to San marcos! If you have a child-like personality or have children accompanying you on the trip, this place will be perfect in the itinerary. Only a 20 minutes ride from San Marcos, you can experience the best rides, races and building attractions. It is a fun park which also has an aquarium so you can easily make bookings at Legoland California Resort in one of their themed rooms! It will be open from 10 am to 6 pm everyday while the tickets are charged somewhere between $89 to $150. It will take about 2 days to cover the whole of the experience. Reviews By Daria Singer Clean, safe. Very understanding staff. Not particularly busy on weekdays during the winter, weekends tyou will have to que up. Food in the park is nothing special and obviously overpriced but that was expected. It is definitely convenient to buy a yearly… 10. Blissful Goat Yoga Craving for some fun things to do while visiting San Diego? How about experiencing the one-of-a-kind yoga class while interacting with baby goats. The experience is a customized adventure for anyone who wants to attend the classes. Situated at a private property, Blissful Goat Yoga is quite close to Sunshine Mountain Winery and Buena Creek Gardens. It is quite funny, I agree but imagine such a unique experience where you can interact with strangers and goats as the owner, Star Bailey, guides you through the Yoga. You can take funny pictures of the goats and selfies with goats thus having an experience which is so interesting and fun! Going to a yoga session can actually be helpful and relaxing! Reviews By Taylor My boyfriend and I decided to try goat yoga and although we are not great at yoga ourselves, we still had a blast! Loved the passionate insights from the owner and the atmosphere of balancing yoga practice with having fun with the goats… And It’s A Wrap! And it’s a wrap on the best things to do in San Marcos. So what are you even waiting for? Plan your trip to san Marcos already! We can’t wait - and while doing so, don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below! 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