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

Should you visit Asheville or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Asheville travel costs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a natural, beautiful, and scenic region. The beauty of Columbia River Gorge is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Columbia River Gorge travel costs.

Asheville and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Columbia River Gorge?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Columbia River Gorge are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Columbia River Gorge attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and impressive beauty. Columbia River Gorge is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge is a region with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Columbia River Gorge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Columbia River Gorge can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Columbia River Gorge has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for nightlife and partying.

Asheville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Music?

Asheville is a well-known place for live music. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Columbia River Gorge is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Columbia River Gorge, and they are great.

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 Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Columbia River Gorge?

Asheville is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbia River Gorge. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge More Beautiful?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Impressive waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas make this a truly beautiful place to visit.

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 Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Columbia River Gorge are great 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 Columbia River Gorge. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Asheville and Columbia River Gorge both great destinations for a couple.

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.

Columbia River Gorge is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge Better for Students?

Asheville is a well-known place for students. However, Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit as a student. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.

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 Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Asheville or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable mountain town. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the region of Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Asheville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 shopping and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Columbia River Gorge. 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 region has to offer. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Asheville for five days. You'll find shopping and nightlife around the mountain town of Asheville. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful region of Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

The progressive destination of Asheville offers nightlife and live music. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Columbia River Gorge?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Columbia River Gorge. 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. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Asheville is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

It's quite cold in Columbia River Gorge in the winter. In the winter, Asheville is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty.

In April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Asheville