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

Should you visit Asheville or Hood River?

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 Hood River. 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 food, hiking, and shopping. See Asheville travel costs.

Hood River

Hood River is a quaint, scenic, and charming town. The beauty of Hood River is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Hood River travel costs.

Asheville and Hood River: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Hood River?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Asheville than Hood River, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Asheville is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Hood River is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, and impressive beauty. Hood River is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its waterfalls, wineries, and impressive mountains. Asheville is well known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. Also, Asheville is famous for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Hood River?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Skiing?

Hood River is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Asheville is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Hood River is a great destination to visit. During the winter months, Hood River makes a nice base for nearby skiing. Timberline and Cooper Spur and both less than an hour away and offer great skiing opportunities.

Asheville is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Hood River?

Hood River is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Hood River offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of interesting museums in town such as the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automoblie Museum, the History Museum, and 301 Gallery.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Hood River 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.

Hood River has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to the downtown or waterfront areas for the best selection of restaurants. Most restaurants pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting local farms. Dishes use fresh and healthy ingredients that make simple but high quality meals.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Asheville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Hood River has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are breweries, wineries, and local bars in the area that offer a laid back place where you can enjoy the local atmosphere.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Hood River is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Asheville while you're in town. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Hood River is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Hood River 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.

Hood River is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for its Old Town?

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

Hood River does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Hood River, and they are superb.

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 Hood River for the hiking trails. There's a diversity of landscapes in the area that include waterfalls, agriculture, vineyards, and high-reaching mountain peaks. The best way to experience these is through the many hiking trails. Drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway and stop off at the trails that lead to the waterfalls, or head south of town to explore the vineyards on foot, and to the north where you'll find mountain peaks.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Hood River?

Asheville is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hood River 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 Hood River to go shopping. Local shops sell local produce, artisan crafts, and wine. There are boutiques and independent vendors that are fun to visit and many visitors enjoy spending an afternoon shopping.

Is Asheville or Hood River More Beautiful?

Hood River 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 Hood River is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. There's a beautiful natural environment with wonderful hikes and local farms and wineries.

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 Hood River Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Hood River are superb 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 Hood River. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. There's swimming, tubing, hiking, and even windsurfing. Make sure you check out the Waterfront Park and Powerdale Substation.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Couples?

Asheville and Hood River both superb 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.

Hood River is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy the scenic natural setting and charming hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. There are romantic hikes, local wineries, and many great restaurants that you can try.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville and Hood River are superb 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 Hood River. There are a couple of hostels and some nice campgrounds in the area as well as many great hikes and a laid back atmosphere that backpackers appreciate.

Is Asheville or Hood River Better for Students?

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

Hood River is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Hood River 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 Hood River.

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 Hood River. There are buses in the area but you really need your own transportation to see the region efficiently.

Is Asheville or Hood River a more walkable city?

Asheville is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Hood River is lacking in good options 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 reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Hood River is generally not very walkable. While there are parts of the town that are walkable, if you don't have a car you'll miss out on the surrounding natural landscapes and most of the hiking opportunities.

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

Should I spend more time in Hood River or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Hood River?

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

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Hood River. 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 Hood River. 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 Hood River 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 Hood River?

With shopping and nightlife around the progressive 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 food and shopping around the town of Hood River. 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 Hood River?

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 shopping and skiing around the quaint destination of Hood River. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Hood River?

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 skiing and nightlife when visiting the quaint town of Hood River. 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 Hood River?

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.

Hood River 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 comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Hood River, we can see that Hood River 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 Hood River Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Hood River?

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

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 Hood River in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Hood River. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hood River for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Asheville is a little warmer than Hood River in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hood River. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Hood River. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Hood River. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Hood River in the Autumn?

Both Hood River and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Hood River in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Asheville is a little warmer than Hood River. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Hood River averages at about 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Hood River. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Hood River in the Winter?

Both Hood River and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hood River for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hood River can be very cold during winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun.

Hood River gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets less rain in January than Hood River. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Hood River in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Hood River. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hood River because of the natural beauty.

Asheville is much warmer than Hood River in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hood River this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 231 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 Hood River. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hood River and Asheville