A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cherokee vs. Greenville for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Cherokee or Greenville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee or Greenville, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a fascinating, cultural, and genuine town. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Greenville

Greenville is a southern, welcoming, and hospitable city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Cherokee and Greenville: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Cherokee or Greenville?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cherokee than Greenville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cherokee is better known for its food and hiking, while Greenville is more popular for its nightlife. Cherokee is more touristy than Greenville and is popular for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails. Also, Cherokee is famous for Oconaluftee Indian Village. Greenville is well known for its outdoor spaces and its growing arts scene.

How is Cherokee different from Greenville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cherokee or Greenville?

Cherokee
Greenville

Both Cherokee and Greenville have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Cherokee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the museums educate visitors on the Native American culture. Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Mountain Farm Museum each offer a unique and interesting perspective.

Greenville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums focus on art, history, and science. Notable museums in town include the Greenville County Museum of Art, the Upcountry History Museum, and the Sigal Music Museum.


Is the Food Better in Cherokee or Greenville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cherokee
Greenville

Cherokee is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Greenville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Cherokee is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

Greenville offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The food scene is growing and the farm-to-table movement is apparent here, but the city is still often overlooked by foodies in the area.

Is Cherokee or Greenville Better for Nightlife?

Cherokee
Greenville

Greenville is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Cherokee is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Greenville. Bars, breweries, and low key clubs are what drive the city's nightlife scene. There are both piano bars and live music venues that often lean towards the local country classics.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Cherokee. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Is Cherokee or Greenville Better for Hiking?

Cherokee
Greenville

Cherokee is a great town for hiking. However, Greenville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Cherokee for the hiking trails. There are many trails in the area that pass through forests, wander by waterfalls, and take you to spectacular viewpoints. The fall foliage is particularly nice during the autumn months.

Greenville is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Cherokee or Greenville?

Cherokee
Greenville

Both Cherokee and Greenville are notable shopping destinations.

Cherokee is a great destination for shopping. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Greenville. You'll find upscale shopping in the city's downtown and sprawling shopping malls in other neighborhoods. There are plenty of name brand stores where you can pick up the latest style.

Is Cherokee or Greenville Better for Families?

Cherokee
Greenville

Cherokee is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Greenville 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 Cherokee. It's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make this a fun destination for families. There are countless outdoor adventure activities. The town is also filled with Cherokee history and culture, so it offers educational experiences as well.

Greenville is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many local families in town, so you'll find all kinds of kid-friendly activities to enjoy. Paris Mountain State Park is a popular place where everyone can run around. Falls Park on the Reedy River also has walking trails and is in the city's historic district. There's also a children's theater and plenty of playgrounds around town.

Is Cherokee or Greenville Better for Couples?

Cherokee
Greenville

Cherokee is a great town for couples. However, Greenville is not known for romance.

Cherokee is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

Greenville is not the best destination for a couple to visit. You can take the free trolley down Main Street and then enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.


Is Cherokee or Greenville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cherokee
Greenville

Cherokee is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Greenville is not known for backpackers.

Cherokee is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

Greenville is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. While there are students in the area, there is little else to bring backpackers to town.

Is Cherokee or Greenville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cherokee
Greenville

Both Cherokee and Greenville offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Cherokee. There are some bus and shuttle routes, but a private vehicle is important if you want to make the most of your visit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greenville. There are free trolleys that make their way around the downtown neighborhoods.

Is Cherokee or Greenville a more walkable city?

Cherokee
Greenville

Cherokee and Greenville both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Cherokee is generally not very walkable. If you want to explore the area, you'll need a car to reach most places.

Greenville is generally not a very walkable town. The downtown area is surprisingly walkable, but like most cities in the area, you need a car to make the most of your visit.


For even more information, also check out Is Cherokee Worth Visiting? and Is Greenville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Greenville or Cherokee?

How long in Cherokee or Greenville?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cherokee or Greenville to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cherokee than Greenville because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cherokee, and 1-2 days is enough time in Greenville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cherokee than Greenville 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 Cherokee.


  • How many days in Cherokee or Greenville? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cherokee 2-4 
    Greenville 1-2

One day in Cherokee or Greenville?

With museums and food around the cultural town of Cherokee, 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.

The city of Greenville offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Cherokee or Greenville?

With food and shopping around the destination of Cherokee, 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 town.

Greenville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Greenville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cherokee or Greenville?

Cherokee, a popular 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.

Greenville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A week in Cherokee or Greenville?

Cherokee 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.

Greenville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.


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.


Which place is cheaper, Greenville or Cherokee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cherokee is $174, while the average daily cost in Greenville is $0.00. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cherokee and Greenville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cherokee $158
    Greenville -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cherokee $316
    Greenville $0.00
Compare Hotels in Cherokee and Greenville

Looking for a hotel in Cherokee or Greenville? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cherokee


Hotels in Greenville


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cherokee Hotel Prices and Greenville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Greenville $158

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Greenville

Also for Greenville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Cherokee or Greenville?

Prices for flights to both Greenville and Cherokee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cherokee $16
    Greenville $21

Typical Food Prices in Greenville

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Greenville:


  • Marble Slab Creamery (for 2)
    $9.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Greenville $25

Tours and Activities in Greenville

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Greenville.

  • Greenville Scavenger Hunt: Greenville Adventure: $12
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Greenville, SC: $15
  • Paranormal Walking Tour in Greenville : $32
  • Small-Group Walking Tour in Greenville with Breakfast: $72
  • Just Desserts Tour In Greenville: $72
  • Greenville City Segway Tour: $75
  • Greenville Haunted Segway Tour: $76
  • Thirsty Thursdays Tour (cocktails and appetizers): $89
  • Greenville Craft Cocktail Tour: $95
  • Guided E-Bike Tour in Greenville South Carolina with Brunch: $105
  • Pedego Electric Bike Tour at Greenville: $105
  • Caesars Head & Wildcat Falls Driving Tour: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cherokee -
    Greenville -

Sample the Local Flavors in Greenville

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Greenville:

  • Spooky & Haunted Paranormal Bar Crawl Downtown Greenville: $32


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cherokee Expensive? and Is Greenville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Greenville?

Greenville has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Cherokee. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee and Greenville, 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.