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

Should you visit Asheville or Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis. 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a innovative, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Minneapolis?

You'll generally find more things to do in Minneapolis than Asheville. Minneapolis is bigger than Asheville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Minneapolis is better known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Asheville is more popular for its music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Asheville is well known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Minneapolis is well known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America.

How is Asheville different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Minneapolis is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Minneapolis. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Minneapolis can be an enjoyable experience.

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.

Minneapolis is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Minneapolis for the nightlife scene. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Resorts?

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

Minneapolis is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for its Old Town?

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

Minneapolis does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Minneapolis make it a world-class shopping destination. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. 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.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Minneapolis does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Asheville is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Minneapolis is a good mountain town for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Students?

Asheville and Minneapolis are great places to visit for students.

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

Minneapolis is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Is Asheville or Minneapolis Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Minneapolis is a good destination for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Minneapolis, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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

Is Asheville or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

Asheville and Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable mountain town. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Asheville or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 2-4 days is enough time in Minneapolis.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the open-minded destination of Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic destination of Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis?

The outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A week in Asheville or Minneapolis?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

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

Asheville is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minneapolis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Minneapolis. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Minneapolis. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

Both Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Asheville is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Minneapolis in the Winter?

Both Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis this time of year.

It's quite cold in Minneapolis in the winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 15°F (-10°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Minneapolis in the Spring?

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

Asheville is much warmer than Minneapolis in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 244 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 Minneapolis. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Asheville