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

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Providence?

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 Providence. 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 outdoorsy, historic, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Providence travel costs.

Blue Ridge and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Providence?

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

How is Blue Ridge different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Providence is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a 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 Providence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Blue Ridge and Providence can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Providence. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

Is Blue Ridge or Providence Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Providence has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Blue Ridge or Providence Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is a great town for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails. 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.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Providence?

Blue Ridge is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Blue Ridge or Providence More Beautiful?

Blue Ridge is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. There are plenty of hikes to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. There's also a scenic railroad as well as places to kayak or go horseback riding.

Providence is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Blue Ridge or Providence Better for Families?

Blue Ridge is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Blue Ridge. 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.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Blue Ridge or Providence Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is a great town for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Blue Ridge is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

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

Blue Ridge is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Blue Ridge. 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.

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Blue Ridge or Providence Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Providence. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Providence is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Providence has some public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

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

Is Blue Ridge or Providence a more walkable city?

Providence is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Providence or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Providence?

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

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

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Providence, there's plenty to do. 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 Providence?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Providence, 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 Providence?

Blue Ridge, a popular town, 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 town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence, 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 Providence?

Blue Ridge 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.

Providence 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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Providence, 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 Providence?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Providence in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Providence. The summer months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

In July, Blue Ridge is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 81°F (27°C), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Providence during summer. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Providence. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Providence in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Providence. 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. Additionally, many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene.

Blue Ridge is a little warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the autumn, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge usually gets less rain in October than Providence. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Providence in the Winter?

Both Providence and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Providence can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Blue Ridge. In the winter, Blue Ridge is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Blue Ridge in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Providence during winter. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In January, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Providence. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Providence in the Spring?

Both Providence and Blue Ridge during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Blue Ridge is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 62°F (17°C), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the spring, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in April than Providence. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Providence and Blue Ridge