A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Asheville vs. Wilmington for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or Wilmington?

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 Wilmington. 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. Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Asheville travel costs.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a historic, welcoming, and charming city. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping. See Wilmington travel costs.

Asheville and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Wilmington?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Wilmington. While Wilmington is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Wilmington attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, beaches, and historical sights. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate. Wilmington is famous for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Asheville different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wilmington is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is great for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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 Wilmington. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Music?

Asheville is great for live music. However, Wilmington 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.

Wilmington is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington 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.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is well known for the beach. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wilmington for it's beautiful beaches. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Wilmington to see the old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

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 Wilmington Better for Hiking?

Asheville is great for hiking. However, Wilmington 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.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Wilmington?

Asheville is great for shopping. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Asheville or Wilmington More Beautiful?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Wilmington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Couples?

Asheville and Wilmington both great 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.

Wilmington is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

Asheville is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Wilmington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, the university and great beaches make this a surprisingly fun destination.

Is Asheville or Wilmington Better for Students?

Asheville is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

Wilmington is a good mountain town to visit for students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Is Asheville or Wilmington 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 Wilmington.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Is Asheville or Wilmington a more walkable city?

Asheville and Wilmington both are nice 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 reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable mountain town. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Wilmington or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Wilmington?

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

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

With shopping and nightlife around the outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Wilmington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Wilmington?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this mountain town.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Wilmington?

Asheville, a popular mountain town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find nightlife and food around the welcoming city of Wilmington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Wilmington?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?

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 Wilmington in the Summer?

Both Wilmington 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 Wilmington for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun.

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Wilmington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Wilmington. 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 Wilmington because of the shopping scene.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Wilmington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Wilmington in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Asheville is cooler than Wilmington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Wilmington averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Wilmington. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Wilmington in the Spring?

Both Wilmington 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 Wilmington for the beaches.

In April, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Asheville