A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Milwaukee for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Asheville or Milwaukee?

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 Milwaukee. 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. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a welcoming, undiscovered, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Milwaukee: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Milwaukee?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Milwaukee is more popular for its museums. Asheville is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular 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. Milwaukee is well known for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Asheville different from Milwaukee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Milwaukee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a mountain town with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Asheville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Asheville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Milwaukee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Music?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Milwaukee is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Asheville has diverse options. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Milwaukee is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a mountain town with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Milwaukee 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.

Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for its Old Town?

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

Milwaukee does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Hiking?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Milwaukee 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.

Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Milwaukee?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Christmas?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Milwaukee does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. 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.

Milwaukee does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Milwaukee 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.

Milwaukee does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Families?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Couples?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in 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.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in 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.

Milwaukee is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a lot to attract backpackers to the area.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee Better for Students?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee.

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 Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Asheville or Milwaukee a more walkable city?

Asheville and Milwaukee 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 walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable mountain town. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

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

Should I spend more time in Milwaukee or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Milwaukee?

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

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

You'll find food and shopping around the mountain town of Asheville. 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.

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

A weekend in Asheville or Milwaukee?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the open-minded mountain town of Asheville. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee?

Asheville 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee?

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 Milwaukee in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Milwaukee. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the family-friendly experiences.

Asheville is a little warmer than Milwaukee in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Milwaukee. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Milwaukee. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

Both Milwaukee and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.

In the autumn, Asheville is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Milwaukee in the Winter?

Both Milwaukee and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Milwaukee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Milwaukee. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Milwaukee in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Milwaukee. Many travelers come to Asheville for the natural beauty.

Asheville is much warmer than Milwaukee in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 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 Milwaukee. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Asheville