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

Should you visit Asheville or Chattanooga?

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 Chattanooga. 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 progressive, open-minded, and eclectic mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a thriving, bustling, and outdoorsy city. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Asheville and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Chattanooga?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Chattanooga. While Chattanooga is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chattanooga is known for its museums & sights. 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. Chattanooga is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Asheville different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chattanooga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Asheville know how to have a good time. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Music?

Asheville is a great destination for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Asheville has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its resorts. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town charm. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Chattanooga, and they are superb.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga for the hiking trails. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Chattanooga?

Asheville is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chattanooga. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Chattanooga does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Asheville. 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.

Chattanooga does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Asheville is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is known to be 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.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Asheville is a great destination for couples. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great destination for backpackers. However, Chattanooga is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Chattanooga is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's proximity to the mountains and diverse outdoor activities make this an under-rated destination for many backpackers.

Is Asheville or Chattanooga Better for Students?

Asheville is a great destination for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

Chattanooga is well known for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chattanooga can get you around easily. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

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 Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga is a very walkable city. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

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 Chattanooga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Chattanooga?

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

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

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 city of Chattanooga. 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.

A weekend in Asheville or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the outdoorsy 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 bustling destination of Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga?

The open-minded 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 bustling city of Chattanooga. 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.

A week in Asheville or Chattanooga?

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.

Chattanooga 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Chattanooga, we can see that Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?

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 Chattanooga in the Summer?

Both Chattanooga and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chattanooga. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

Both Chattanooga and Asheville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chattanooga in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Chattanooga. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Chattanooga in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Chattanooga. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. Asheville is a little warmer than Chattanooga in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Chattanooga in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Chattanooga. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Chattanooga. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Asheville