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

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Maui?

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 Maui. 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.

Maui

Maui is a adventure-filled, breathtaking, and stunning island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Blue Ridge and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Blue Ridge and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Blue Ridge attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm. Maui is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Blue Ridge is famous for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere.

How is Blue Ridge different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the reasonable sights and museums in either Blue Ridge or Maui.

While most people don't head to Blue Ridge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Maui offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

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

Blue Ridge is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options 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.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Maui to choose from. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for its beaches. However, Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Maui?

Blue Ridge is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui 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.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Maui is very family-friendly. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Blue Ridge is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Is Blue Ridge or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

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.

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

Blue Ridge is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

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

Maui 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 Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

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

Is Blue Ridge or Maui a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options 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.

Maui is not a very walkable town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Maui or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Maui?

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

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

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

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

Blue Ridge is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the idyllic island of Maui, 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 Maui?

Blue Ridge is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Maui, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Maui?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Maui, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Blue Ridge or Maui?

Because Blue Ridge is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Maui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Blue Ridge or Maui?

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 Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Blue Ridge during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Blue Ridge in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Maui. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Maui. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Blue Ridge is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 63°F (17°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Maui during autumn. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Maui. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Maui in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Maui. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Blue Ridge can get quite cold in the winter. Blue Ridge is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Maui. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Maui. Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the winter. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Maui. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Blue Ridge is cooler than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Blue Ridge in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. 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 Maui during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Maui. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maui and Blue Ridge