A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Redwood National Park for Hiking, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or Redwood National Park?

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 Redwood National Park. 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include live music, food, and hiking.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is a impressive, monumental, and grand park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the beaches and hiking.

Asheville and Redwood National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Redwood National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Redwood National Park are both popular with visitors, Asheville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Asheville is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Redwood National Park is known for its museums, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Redwood National Park is more touristy than Asheville and is known for being the home of the world's tallest trees. Asheville 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.

How is Asheville different from Redwood National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park?

Redwood National Park is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Redwood National Park offers a few options for museum-goers. There is little in the form of museums, but you can visit the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center on the south side of the park and see exhibits about Yurok culture and the area's ecology.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Redwood National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Asheville area. 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.

While Redwood National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are no dining or grocery options within the park but there are some options just outside the park.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is well known for its evening party scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for nightlife.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Redwood National Park The laid back setting offers little in the form of nightlife.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Music?

Asheville is well known for its music scene. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its resorts. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Beaches?

Redwood National Park is a good destination for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Redwood National Park offers a nice beach destination. The park runs along the Pacific coastline and there are 70 miles of coastal trail in the park. Beaches are rugged and sandy and favorite sections include Gold Bluff Beach, Crescent Beach, and Enderts Beach, which has great tidal pools.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town charm. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Hiking?

Redwood National Park is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Redwood National Park is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hikes range from coastal trails to world-renowned hikes through the redwoods. You'll feel humbled in the presence of these grand and majestic trees. Several of the most well-known hikes include Fern Canyon, the Cathedral Trees Trail, and Redwood Creek Trail.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Redwood National Park?

Asheville is well known for its shopping areas. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Shopping in Redwood National Park can be found for those interested. You'll find park stores at the visitor centers if you want to pick up a small gift or souvenir.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Christmas?

Asheville is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Redwood National Park are excellent 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 Redwood National Park. There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes in the park and the kids will love exploring the varied landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Less than a mile long, Fern Canyon is the perfect hike for little kids and it's not-to-be-missed. Cathedral Trees Trail is three miles, and also a highlight of any trip to the park.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Couples?

Asheville and Redwood National Park both excellent 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.

Redwood National Park is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. There are historic lodges that make for a romantic getaway. You can fill your days with hikes through magical landscapes and breathtaking settings surrounded by the impressive redwoods.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Redwood National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Redwood National Park. There are miles of backcountry trails that let you can explore the park in relative peace and solitude. This is an amazing way to experience the park, but do make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park Better for Students?

Asheville is well known for students. However, Redwood National Park is not popular with students.

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

Redwood National Park is not popular with students.

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

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its public transit. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Redwood National Park. There's no public transportation within the park.

Is Asheville or Redwood National Park a more walkable city?

Asheville is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its walkability.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. 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.

Redwood National Park is not a very walkable mountain town. The park is large and spread out, so you'll need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Redwood National Park or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Redwood National Park?

In either Asheville or Redwood National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Redwood National Park than Asheville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 3-5 days is enough time in Redwood National Park.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park?

In Asheville, you'll find food and shopping. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find around the park of Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this mountain town. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find around the impressive destination of Redwood National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Redwood National Park?

Asheville is a fun place to experience. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find around the impressive park of Redwood National Park. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this park makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this park has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Redwood National Park?

You'll find live music and food around the eclectic destination of Asheville. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. 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.

Redwood National Park 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 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 Redwood National Park, we can see that Asheville is more expensive. And not only is Redwood National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Redwood National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Redwood National Park 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 Asheville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asheville than you might in Redwood National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Redwood National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Asheville or Redwood National Park?

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 Redwood National Park in the Summer?

Both Redwood National Park 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 beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Redwood National Park this time of year.

In the summer, Asheville is much warmer than Redwood National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Redwood National Park averages at about 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Redwood National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Redwood National Park during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Redwood National Park receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Redwood National Park. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 0.1 inches (3 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Redwood National Park in the Autumn?

Both Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Redwood National Park. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Redwood National Park. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Redwood National Park receives 177 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Redwood National Park. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Redwood National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Redwood National Park. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Asheville is cooler than Redwood National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Redwood National Park during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Redwood National Park receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.

Redwood National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives less rain than Redwood National Park. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 6 inches (152 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Redwood National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Redwood National Park. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Redwood National Park for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is much warmer than Redwood National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Redwood National Park averages at about 50°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Redwood National Park receives 254 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Redwood National Park. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Redwood National Park and Asheville