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

Should you visit Asheville or Pittsburgh?

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 Pittsburgh. 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 open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a authentic, under-rated, and industrial 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 Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Pittsburgh?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Pittsburgh. While Pittsburgh is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pittsburgh is known for its museums and big city activities. Asheville is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate. Pittsburgh is popular for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood".

How is Asheville different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Pittsburgh for the nightlife scene. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Music?

Asheville is great for its music scene. However, Pittsburgh is not a live music destination.

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.

Pittsburgh is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Pittsburgh is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a few great resort options. 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.

Pittsburgh is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Pittsburgh does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Pittsburgh does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Hiking?

Asheville is great for hiking. However, Pittsburgh is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. 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.

Pittsburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Pittsburgh?

Asheville is great for its shopping areas. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Christmas?

Asheville is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Pittsburgh does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is a very popular destination 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.

Pittsburgh does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Pittsburgh does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Pittsburgh does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Asheville is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. 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.

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Asheville is great for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for romance.

Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as 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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Pittsburgh is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's usually overlooked by backpackers, but there is some cheap accommodation in town.

Is Asheville or Pittsburgh Better for Students?

Asheville is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

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

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

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 Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Asheville and Pittsburgh both are good 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.

Pittsburgh is a somewhat walkable mountain town. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Pittsburgh?

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

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

With shopping and nightlife around the outdoorsy 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 Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

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 industrial destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

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 food when visiting the industrial city of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Pittsburgh?

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