A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asheville vs. Vancouver for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Asheville or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver. 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's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and hiking.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a scenic, diverse, and friendly city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Asheville and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Vancouver?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vancouver than Asheville. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Vancouver is very popular for its museums & sights, food, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Asheville attracts visitors for its music, resorts, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Vancouver is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. It is also well known for Stanley Park. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Vancouver are among the most recognizable in the world. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Vancouver is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Vancouver for the nightlife scene. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Music?

Asheville is great for live music. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for its Old Town?

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

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Vancouver does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

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

Vancouver is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

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 Vancouver?

Vancouver 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 Vancouver make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

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 Vancouver Better for Christmas?

Asheville is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Vancouver 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 Vancouver. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Vancouver is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

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.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville and Vancouver are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Vancouver. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

Is Asheville or Vancouver Better for Students?

Asheville and Vancouver are excellent places to visit for students.

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

Vancouver is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

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

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Vancouver can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

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 Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Vancouver on foot is easy. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Vancouver?

In either Asheville or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Vancouver. 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 Vancouver than Asheville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Vancouver that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver than Asheville 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 Vancouver.

One day in Asheville or Vancouver?

You'll find food and shopping around the mountain town of Asheville. 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.

People visit Vancouver because there is so much to do. 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 Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the eclectic destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this mountain town has to offer. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

People visit Vancouver because there is so much to do. 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 city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the eclectic mountain town of Asheville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

People visit Vancouver because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Vancouver?

Asheville 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.

Vancouver 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver 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 Vancouver Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In July, Asheville is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Vancouver in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Vancouver. 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 Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Asheville is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Asheville usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Asheville is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Vancouver in the Spring?

Both Vancouver and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Vancouver for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vancouver. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Asheville