A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Virginia Beach for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Asheville or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach. 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 beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches.

Asheville and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its beaches. Asheville is well known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Also, Asheville is famous for The Biltmore Estate. Virginia Beach is well known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Asheville different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Virginia Beach and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Asheville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Asheville for the nightlife scene. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Music?

Asheville is great for its live music scene. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

There are notable resorts to choose from in both Asheville and Virginia Beach.

With a selection of resorts, Asheville makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a good destination for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach offers a nice beach destination. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

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

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Hiking?

Asheville is great for hiking. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Virginia Beach?

Asheville is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Asheville is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Christmas?

Asheville is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Asheville has some Christmas markets worth visiting during the holidays. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Virginia Beach are great 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 Virginia Beach. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Asheville is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

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.

Virginia Beach is a good mountain town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many 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.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Asheville is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for 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.

Virginia Beach is a good mountain town to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

Asheville is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Asheville or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Virginia Beach?

Both Asheville and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Asheville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

In Asheville, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife around the coastal city of Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach?

Asheville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find nightlife around the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the mountain town of Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Virginia Beach. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Asheville is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Virginia Beach. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Virginia Beach. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Asheville is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Asheville