A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Albuquerque for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Asheville or Albuquerque?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Albuquerque. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Asheville

Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and hiking. See Asheville travel costs.

Albuquerque

Albuquerque is a cosmopolitan, cultural, and outdoorsy town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Albuquerque travel costs.

Asheville and Albuquerque: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Albuquerque?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Albuquerque. While Albuquerque is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, christmas markets, and impressive beauty, while Albuquerque attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate. Albuquerque is famous for its adobe architecture, artisan shops, fascinating cultural venues, and surrounding desert landscapes.

How is Asheville different from Albuquerque?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Albuquerque and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Albuquerque?

Albuquerque is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Albuquerque. The old town has a lot of history including the San Felipe de Neri Church. Also worth visiting is the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Unser Racing Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Albuquerque? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Albuquerque can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Albuquerque has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's local cuisine combines Native American and Spanish flavors to make a variety of unique specialties. You should try the green chili stew, breakfast burrito, sopaipillas, and blue corn pancakes.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for nightlife. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Asheville has something for everybody. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Albuquerque. Head downtown and to the Nob Hill neighborhood for wine bars, breweries, and billiard halls. These areas have the best nightlife scene and they're also compact enough to explore on foot.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for live music. However, Albuquerque is not a live music destination.

Asheville has a thriving music scene. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Albuquerque is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Albuquerque is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Albuquerque is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for its Old Town?

Albuquerque is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Asheville is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Albuquerque offers plenty to see. There is a wonderful old town where the city's first neighborhood was established. It dates back to the early 1700's and has its roots in Spanish colonial history. The area has many adobe houses, great local restaurants, and artisan shops.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a great mountain town for hiking. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Albuquerque is a good destination for hiking. The desert landscape is varied and beautiful. Popular trails in the area include Tree Spring Trail, Birdhouse Ridge, and West Ridge.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Albuquerque?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Albuquerque and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Albuquerque. The city's old town has many cultural artisan shops where you can buy local items. It's a fun and unique shopping experience, and though it sometimes feels a bit touristy, there are many local shops that offer an authentic experience.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Albuquerque does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is a very popular destination during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Albuquerque does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Albuquerque does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Albuquerque does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque More Beautiful?

Asheville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Albuquerque is not a destination known for its beauty.

Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Albuquerque is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Families?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very family-friendly destination. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Albuquerque is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of nature centers as well as the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo. Outside of town there are many parks and natural areas to explore.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Couples?

Asheville and Albuquerque both excellent destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Asheville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Albuquerque is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Surrounded by natural beauty, and filled with culture and charm, this city makes a great romantic getaway. It's particularly wonderful during the famous International Balloon Fiesta.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Albuquerque is not known for backpackers.

Asheville is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Albuquerque is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds around that offer affordable and fun places to stay, but in general this town isn't particularly backpacker friendly.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Albuquerque is a good mountain town to visit for students. It offers a unique cultural environment that students can appreciate. There are also many outdoor recreational opportunities.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Albuquerque.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Albuquerque. ABQ Ride is the bus system around town, but most visitors prefer to have their own car.

Is Asheville or Albuquerque a more walkable city?

Asheville and Albuquerque both are nice when exploring on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Albuquerque is a somewhat walkable mountain town. Walkable areas include the old town, the area around the University of New Mexico, and the uptown area.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Albuquerque Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Albuquerque or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Albuquerque?

It's fun to spend time in either Asheville or Albuquerque. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Albuquerque due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 2-4 days is enough time in Albuquerque.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Albuquerque. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Asheville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Asheville than Albuquerque. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Albuquerque if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Albuquerque?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the progressive mountain town of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Albuquerque. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Albuquerque?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the progressive destination of Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cosmopolitan destination of Albuquerque. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Albuquerque?

The eclectic mountain town of Asheville offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural town of Albuquerque. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Albuquerque?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Albuquerque is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Albuquerque, we can see that Albuquerque is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Albuquerque Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Albuquerque?

Albuquerque has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Albuquerque, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.