A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Asheville for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Asheville?

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 Blue Ridge and Asheville. 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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a charming, outdoorsy, and historic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Asheville

Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded 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.

Blue Ridge and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Blue Ridge and Asheville are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Blue Ridge attracts visitors for its museums, food, and small town charm. Blue Ridge is famous for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. 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.

How is Blue Ridge different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Blue Ridge is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

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 Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Asheville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Blue Ridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for live music. However, Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Asheville while you're in town. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Resorts?

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

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Blue Ridge and Asheville, and they are excellent.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Blue Ridge and Asheville.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Blue Ridge does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit 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.

Blue Ridge does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Families?

Both Blue Ridge and Asheville are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Blue Ridge is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Asheville is a very kid-friendly 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.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge and Asheville both excellent destinations for a couple.

Blue Ridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

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.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge and Asheville are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Blue Ridge is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Asheville is a great 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.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Asheville is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options 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 Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Asheville a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge and Asheville are nice when it comes to walkability.

Blue Ridge is somewhat walkable. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Blue Ridge and Asheville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge than in Asheville. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the eclectic 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.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Blue Ridge is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town 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 town has to offer.

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.

A week in Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Blue Ridge 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Blue Ridge and Asheville, 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 Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Asheville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Asheville, 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 Blue Ridge or Asheville?

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 Blue Ridge or Asheville in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Blue Ridge in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Asheville averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Asheville. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Asheville. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives less rain than Asheville. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Asheville in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge is cooler than Asheville in the winter. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Asheville. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the winter. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Asheville. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Blue Ridge in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Asheville during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Asheville and Blue Ridge