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

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Houston?

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 Houston. 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.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Blue Ridge and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Houston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston. Although Blue Ridge and Houston are popular destinations, Houston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Houston is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Blue Ridge attracts visitors for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Blue Ridge is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Blue Ridge different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Houston 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 Houston. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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 Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston 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.

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Blue Ridge or Houston Better for Nightlife?

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

Houston has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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 Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a good destination for live music. However, Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Houston Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Houston?

Blue Ridge is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Blue Ridge is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Blue Ridge or Houston Better for Families?

Both Blue Ridge and Houston 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.

Houston is a very kid-friendly town. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Blue Ridge or Houston Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Blue Ridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Houston is a good town for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

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

Blue Ridge is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Blue Ridge is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Houston 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 Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

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

Is Blue Ridge or Houston a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Houston is generally not a very walkable town. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Houston?

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

Families should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Houston. 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 Houston. 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 Houston 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 Houston?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Houston?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Blue Ridge has to offer.

When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Houston?

Blue Ridge is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Blue Ridge has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Houston, 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 Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. Since Blue Ridge is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Houston 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 Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 1720 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston 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 city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the summer, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Blue Ridge in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston 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 Houston. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Houston. 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 Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Blue Ridge is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 63°F (17°C), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Blue Ridge usually receives less rain than Houston. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Houston in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the winter. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Houston. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston 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 Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Blue Ridge is cooler than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Blue Ridge in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Houston. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Blue Ridge