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

Should you visit Asheville or Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville. 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 beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and hiking. See Asheville travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Asheville and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Charlottesville?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Asheville than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Asheville is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, and christmas markets, while Charlottesville is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Asheville is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. Also, Asheville is famous for The Biltmore Estate. Charlottesville is well known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Asheville different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a great mountain town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Asheville has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

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 Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

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

With a selection of resorts, Asheville makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its old town. However, Asheville is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Many people head to Charlottesville to see the old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

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 Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a great mountain town for hiking. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university 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.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Charlottesville?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Asheville is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Asheville and Charlottesville are somewhat similar when it comes to the notable scenery.

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

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Asheville is very family-friendly. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as 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.

Charlottesville is a good mountain town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers 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.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

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 Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Asheville is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

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.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Charlottesville?

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

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

The outdoorsy destination of Asheville offers nightlife and live music. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Charlottesville?

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Charlottesville?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville 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 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 Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Charlottesville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Charlottesville. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Charlottesville. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Asheville is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Asheville is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Asheville