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

Should you visit Asheville or Colorado Springs?

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 Colorado Springs. 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. Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Asheville travel costs.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a outdoorsy, healthy, and welcoming mountain town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of Colorado Springs is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife. See Colorado Springs travel costs.

Asheville and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Colorado Springs?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Colorado Springs. While Colorado Springs is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Colorado Springs attracts visitors for its skiing, museums and attractions, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Asheville is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Asheville different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Colorado Springs and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a mountain town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Asheville is not a skiing destination.

Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Asheville is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Colorado Springs?

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

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Asheville makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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 Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Music?

Asheville is a great destination for live music. However, Colorado Springs 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.

Colorado Springs is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Resorts?

Asheville is very good for its resorts. However, Colorado Springs 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.

Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town. However, Colorado Springs 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.

Colorado Springs does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

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

Colorado Springs is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

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 Colorado Springs?

Asheville is a great destination for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs More Beautiful?

Colorado Springs is well known for its scenery and beauty. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Colorado Springs is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town is surrounded by tons of natural beauty. In the area you'll find the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Colorado Springs are high quality family-friendly destinations.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Colorado Springs. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Asheville is a great destination for romance. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Colorado Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

Asheville is a great destination for students. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Asheville is very popular with students. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

It's common for students to visit Colorado Springs. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

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

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options 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 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 quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Asheville or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Asheville is very good for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options 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 reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable mountain town. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Colorado Springs?

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

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs?

You'll find live music and food around the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find food and museums around the mountain town of Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the eclectic mountain town of Asheville. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. 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.

Five days in Asheville or Colorado Springs?

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy mountain town of Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs?

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 Colorado Springs in the Summer?

Both Colorado Springs and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

Both Colorado Springs and Asheville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Asheville is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Colorado Springs. Most visitors come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

The weather in Colorado Springs can be very cold. In the winter, Asheville is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Colorado Springs. The spring months attract visitors to Asheville because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

In April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Asheville