A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Asheville vs. Greensboro for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Asheville or Greensboro?

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 Greensboro. 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 live music, food, and hiking.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a friendly, welcoming, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Greensboro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Greensboro?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Greensboro. While Greensboro 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 Greensboro is more popular for its museums. Asheville is more touristy than Greensboro 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. Greensboro is well known for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Asheville different from Greensboro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Greensboro offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Greensboro 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 Greensboro has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Music?

Asheville is well known for its live music scene. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its resorts. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its old town. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Hiking?

Asheville is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Greensboro?

Asheville is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Christmas?

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

Greensboro does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Greensboro does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Families?

Asheville is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro offers lots of family activities. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Couples?

Asheville is well known for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is well known for backpackers. However, Greensboro is not particularly known 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.

Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.

Is Asheville or Greensboro Better for Students?

Asheville is well known for students. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

It's common for students to visit Greensboro. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Is Asheville or Greensboro 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 Greensboro.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Asheville or Greensboro a more walkable city?

Asheville is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable mountain town. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

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

Should I spend more time in Greensboro or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Greensboro?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Asheville or Greensboro to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Asheville than Greensboro 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 Greensboro.

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

With shopping and nightlife around the open-minded 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 Greensboro. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Greensboro has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Greensboro?

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 welcoming destination of Greensboro. 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 Greensboro?

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 friendly city of Greensboro. 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 Greensboro?

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Greensboro, 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 Greensboro?

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 Greensboro in the Summer?

Both Greensboro and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Greensboro this time of year.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Greensboro in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Greensboro fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Greensboro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Greensboro receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Greensboro. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Greensboro in the Autumn?

Both Greensboro and Asheville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Greensboro for the shopping scene.

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

In Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Greensboro. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Greensboro receives 212 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Asheville or Greensboro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Greensboro. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Greensboro in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Greensboro can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Greensboro. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Greensboro fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Greensboro receives 169 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 Greensboro. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Greensboro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Greensboro. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Greensboro in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Greensboro fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the spring, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Greensboro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Greensboro. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Greensboro and Asheville