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

Should you visit Asheville or Arlington?

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 Arlington. 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 outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Arlington

Arlington is a historical, educational, and international city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Arlington?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Arlington is known for its museums and food. Arlington is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arlington 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 Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Arlington is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arlington. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Arlington.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Many people head to Arlington for the nightlife scene. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Music?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Arlington is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Asheville has diverse options. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Arlington is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a few great resort options. 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.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Arlington does not have a historic old town.

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.

Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. 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.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Arlington?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. 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.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Christmas?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Arlington does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit 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.

Arlington does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Arlington does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Arlington does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Families?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Couples?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville and Arlington are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. 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 budget travelers and backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Is Asheville or Arlington Better for Students?

Asheville and Arlington are great places to visit for students.

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

Arlington is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

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

Arlington is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Arlington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

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

Is Asheville or Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Arlington is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Asheville or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington 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 Arlington.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Arlington. 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 Arlington. 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.

One day in Asheville or Arlington?

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 Arlington. 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 Arlington?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the progressive 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 nightlife around the educational destination of Arlington. 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 Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the open-minded 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 nightlife and food when visiting the educational city of Arlington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Arlington?

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.

Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Arlington, we can see that Arlington 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington 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 Arlington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Arlington, 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 Arlington?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Asheville or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Arlington. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Arlington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Arlington averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

In October, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Arlington. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. Asheville is much warmer than Arlington in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Arlington. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Arlington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Arlington averages at about 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Arlington. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Asheville