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

Should you visit Asheville or Cincinnati?

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 Cincinnati. 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a blue collar, authentic, and hard-working city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Cincinnati: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Cincinnati?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Cincinnati. While Cincinnati is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cincinnati is more popular for its museums. Asheville is more touristy than Cincinnati and is known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Also, Asheville is famous for The Biltmore Estate. Cincinnati is well known for its breweries and down-to-earth personality.

How is Asheville different from Cincinnati?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

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.

Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Cincinnati has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Music?

Asheville is well known for its live music scene. However, Cincinnati is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Cincinnati is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Resorts?

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

Cincinnati is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its old town. However, Cincinnati does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Cincinnati does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Hiking?

Asheville is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.

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.

Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Cincinnati?

Asheville is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Cincinnati has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Christmas?

Asheville is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, Cincinnati does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville has some Christmas markets worth visiting during the holidays. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Cincinnati does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Families?

Asheville is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very kid-friendly mountain town. 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.

Cincinnati offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Couples?

Asheville is well known for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is well known for backpackers. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Cincinnati is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

Is Asheville or Cincinnati Better for Students?

Asheville is well known for students. However, Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati is not popular with students.

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

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 Cincinnati a more walkable city?

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati is a very walkable city. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

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 Cincinnati Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cincinnati or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Cincinnati?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Asheville or Cincinnati to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Asheville than Cincinnati because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cincinnati.

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

With shopping and nightlife around the eclectic mountain town of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cincinnati. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cincinnati has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Cincinnati?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this mountain town.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the blue collar destination of Cincinnati. 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 Cincinnati?

Asheville, a popular mountain town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the hard-working city of Cincinnati. 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 Cincinnati?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, we can see that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Cincinnati?

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

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 Cincinnati in the Summer?

Both Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati for the family-friendly experiences.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Cincinnati in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Cincinnati fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Cincinnati during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Cincinnati. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Cincinnati in the Autumn?

Both Cincinnati 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. Also, many visitors come to Cincinnati in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Asheville is a little warmer than Cincinnati. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 58°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 188 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Cincinnati. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Cincinnati in the Winter?

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

Cincinnati can be very cold during winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Cincinnati. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Cincinnati in the Spring?

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

Asheville is a little warmer than Cincinnati in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Cincinnati fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 215 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Cincinnati. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cincinnati and Asheville