A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Durham for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Durham?

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 Durham. 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 historic, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Blue Ridge and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Durham?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Blue Ridge is better known for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Durham is more popular for its museums. Blue Ridge is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Also, Blue Ridge is famous for Chattahoochee National Forest. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Blue Ridge different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Durham is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Durham. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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.

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

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Blue Ridge is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Blue Ridge or Durham Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Blue Ridge and Durham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Durham has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Blue Ridge or Durham Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Blue Ridge is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Durham?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Blue Ridge or Durham Better for Families?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Blue Ridge is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Durham is a family-friendly town. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Blue Ridge or Durham Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Blue Ridge is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

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

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Blue Ridge is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Blue Ridge or Durham Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Durham 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 Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Durham a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

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

Durham is generally not a very walkable town. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Durham or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Blue Ridge and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge than in Durham. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Durham 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Blue Ridge or Durham?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the diverse city of Durham, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Durham?

Blue Ridge is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Durham, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Durham, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Durham?

Blue Ridge is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Durham 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Durham, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge 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 Durham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durham than you might in Blue Ridge.

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 Durham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Durham, 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 Durham?

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 Durham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Durham. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 81°F (27°C), and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Durham. Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Durham. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months.

Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Durham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during autumn. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Blue Ridge during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. Blue Ridge can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Blue Ridge in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Durham averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Durham. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Durham. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Durham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Durham. The spring months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 62°F (17°C), and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Durham. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Blue Ridge