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

Should you visit Asheville or Richmond?

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 Richmond. 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 eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive 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 hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Richmond

Richmond is a growing, friendly, and historical city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Richmond: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Richmond?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Richmond. While Richmond is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Richmond is known for its museums. 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. Richmond is popular for its cultural and historical sights.

How is Asheville different from Richmond?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Richmond 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 Richmond. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Richmond 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.

Richmond is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Asheville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Music?

Asheville is notable for its music scene. However, Richmond is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Richmond is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Resorts?

Asheville is very good for its resorts. However, Richmond 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.

Richmond is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town charm. However, Richmond 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.

Richmond does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Hiking?

Asheville is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Richmond is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Richmond is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Richmond?

Asheville is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Richmond. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Christmas?

Asheville is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Richmond does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. 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.

Richmond does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Richmond 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.

Richmond does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Families?

Asheville is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Richmond is a family-friendly mountain town. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Couples?

Asheville is notable for couples. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Asheville is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Richmond is a nice destination for couples. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is notable for backpackers. However, Richmond is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Richmond is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination, and most people breeze through town.

Is Asheville or Richmond Better for Students?

Asheville is notable for students. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Asheville is very popular with students. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Plenty of students visit Richmond. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Is Asheville or Richmond 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 Richmond.

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 Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is Asheville or Richmond a more walkable city?

Asheville and Richmond 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.

Richmond is a somewhat walkable mountain town. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

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

Should I spend more time in Richmond or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Richmond?

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

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

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Asheville or Richmond?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Asheville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Richmond. 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 Richmond?

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Richmond. 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 Richmond?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This mountain town offers something for everyone.

Richmond 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Richmond, we can see that Richmond 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 Richmond would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Richmond 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 Richmond Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Richmond?

Richmond has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Richmond, 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 Richmond?

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 Richmond in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Richmond. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Richmond in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Richmond. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Richmond averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Richmond during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Richmond receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Richmond. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Richmond in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Richmond. Many visitors come to Asheville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Richmond for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the autumn, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Richmond. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Richmond in the Winter?

Both Richmond and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Richmond because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Richmond can be very cold. Asheville is much warmer than Richmond in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Richmond fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Richmond. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Richmond in the Spring?

Both Richmond and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Asheville because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Richmond. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Richmond averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the spring, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Richmond. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Richmond and Asheville