A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. San Antonio for Families, Nightlife, Music, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or San Antonio?

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 San Antonio. 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's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for live music, food, and hiking.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a cultural, colorful, and festive city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Asheville and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or San Antonio?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while San Antonio attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate. San Antonio is famous for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is Asheville different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Antonio 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 San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great destination for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Asheville know how to have a good time. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Music?

Asheville is a great destination for live music. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its live music scene.

Asheville has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a good destination for its old town. However, Asheville is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Many people head to San Antonio to see the old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

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.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or San Antonio?

Asheville is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great destination for its Christmas activities. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its Christmas holiday experiences.

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.

Christmas holiday activities are popular when visiting San Antonio. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, San Antonio does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

San Antonio does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Families?

San Antonio is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

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.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Asheville is a great destination for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is Asheville or San Antonio Better for Students?

Asheville is a great destination for students. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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

It's common for students to visit San Antonio. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Is Asheville or San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

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 San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Asheville or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Asheville is a good destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Asheville is somewhat walkable. 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.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable mountain town. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or San Antonio?

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

Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Asheville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Asheville than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the eclectic 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 nightlife and live music around the city of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the outdoorsy 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 live music and food around the cultural destination of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

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 food and shopping when visiting the colorful city of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

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.

San Antonio 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 comparing the travel costs between Asheville and San Antonio, we can see that Asheville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?

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 San Antonio in the Summer?

Both San Antonio 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 music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

In July, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than San Antonio during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or San Antonio in the Autumn?

Both San Antonio 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Asheville is cooler than San Antonio in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the autumn, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as San Antonio. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or San Antonio in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and San Antonio. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Asheville is much colder than San Antonio. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and San Antonio averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Asheville usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or San Antonio in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as San Antonio. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Asheville is generally cooler than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Asheville