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

Should you visit Asheville or Detroit?

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 Detroit. 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 outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Asheville travel costs.

Detroit

Detroit is a hardworking, overlooked , and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping. See Detroit travel costs.

Asheville and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Detroit?

You'll generally find more things to do in Detroit than Asheville. Detroit is bigger than Asheville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Detroit is better known for its museums and attractions, music, and big city activities, while Asheville is more popular for its food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Asheville is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. Detroit is well known for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. Also, Detroit is famous for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Asheville different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Detroit offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Detroit.

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.

Many people head to Detroit for the nightlife scene. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Detroit Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

The music scene in Asheville draws a good crowd. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its old town. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Detroit?

Asheville is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Asheville or Detroit More Beautiful?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Families?

Asheville is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Couples?

Asheville is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options 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.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

Is Asheville or Detroit Better for Students?

Asheville is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Detroit 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 Detroit.

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 Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Asheville or Detroit a more walkable city?

Asheville and Detroit both are notable when exploring on foot.

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.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable mountain town. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Detroit?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Detroit. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Detroit. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Detroit.

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

In Asheville, you'll find nightlife and live music. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This mountain town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Asheville or Detroit?

In Asheville, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Asheville has to offer.

You'll find live music and food around the overlooked destination of Detroit. 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 Detroit?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the hardworking city of Detroit. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Detroit, 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 Detroit?

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 Detroit in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Detroit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Detroit for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Asheville is a little warmer than Detroit in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Detroit. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Detroit. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Detroit in the Autumn?

Both Detroit and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Asheville is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Detroit averages at about 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Detroit. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Detroit this time of year.

It's quite cold in Detroit in the winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Detroit. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Detroit in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Detroit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Detroit for the activities around the city.

Asheville is much warmer than Detroit in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Detroit. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Asheville