A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Anchorage for Hiking, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or Anchorage?

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 Anchorage. 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 eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a scenic, breathtaking, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Asheville and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Anchorage?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Anchorage. While Anchorage is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Anchorage 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 Anchorage?

Anchorage is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Anchorage is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Asheville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Music?

Asheville is a well-known place for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a mountain town with good options for its resorts. However, Anchorage 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.

Anchorage is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town. However, Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Anchorage is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Anchorage?

Asheville is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Anchorage does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. 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.

Anchorage does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Anchorage 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.

Anchorage does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Families?

Asheville is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Anchorage is a family-friendly mountain town. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Asheville and Anchorage both very good 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.

Anchorage is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Asheville. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Asheville or Anchorage Better for Students?

Asheville is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Asheville or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Asheville is a mountain town with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Asheville is somewhat walkable. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable mountain town. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Anchorage. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Anchorage. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Anchorage. 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 Anchorage. 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 Anchorage 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 Anchorage?

You'll find food and shopping around the mountain town of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Anchorage. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Anchorage has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the open-minded destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this mountain town has to offer. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and food around the artsy destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the eclectic mountain town of Asheville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the artsy city of Anchorage. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Anchorage?

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Anchorage is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Asheville.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Anchorage?

Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Anchorage, 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.

When is the best time to visit Asheville or Anchorage?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Asheville or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Anchorage. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Asheville is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Anchorage. The autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the autumn. Asheville is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Anchorage. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In the winter, Asheville is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the spring for the natural beauty.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Asheville