A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cumberland Island National Seashore vs. Asheville for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

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

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a undeveloped, untouched, and pristine island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches and hiking.

Asheville

Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Cumberland Island National Seashore attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Cumberland Island National Seashore is famous for its pristine and undeveloped beaches, miles of hiking trails, and wild horses. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Cumberland Island National Seashore different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Asheville and Cumberland Island National Seashore. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Cumberland Island National Seashore offers a few options for museum-goers. There aren't any museums on the island, but on the mainland there's a visitor center as well as the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Asheville is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Most people don't head to Cumberland Island National Seashore for a culinary experience, but it does have restaurants to choose from. There are no restaurants on the island, so you need to pack any food that you might need before you arrive.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for nightlife. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Asheville has something for everybody. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

People don't go to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the nightlife. Stargazing is amazing on the island, but you're left to your own devices when it comes to evening entertainment options.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for live music. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not a live music destination.

Asheville has a thriving music scene. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is not a live music destination.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is not a resort destination.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Cumberland Island National Seashore offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are 17 miles of pristine beaches along the island. You'll also find wild horses and miles of hiking trails. Swimming is popular, but do take note that there are no lifeguards on the island.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Cumberland Island National Seashore does not have a historic old town.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find more than 50 miles of hiking trails on the island. They pass through a number of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and beaches. Most visitors come for the day and spend most of their time on the Southend of the island. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of hiking trails. Some of the most popular trails are Dungeness Roadways, River Trail, and Nightingale Trail.

Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Is the Shopping Better in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

Asheville is a great mountain town for shopping. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Cumberland Island National Seashore has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There aren't any shops or stores on the island so plan accordingly.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is a very popular destination during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Cumberland Island National Seashore does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Cumberland Island National Seashore does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Families?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very family-friendly destination. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the hiking trails, coastline, and wildlife, the island also has junior ranger programs and educational experiences for kids.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville make for a superb place to visit.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will appreciate the pristine coastline, beautiful wildlife, and secluded hiking trails. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but it's also possible to stay at one of the island's campgrounds. For a truly romantic experience you could also stay at the Greyfield Inn.

Asheville is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville are superb places to visit.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers appreciate the secluded and pristine atmosphere. There are miles of hiking trails as well as campgrounds on the island for those who want to stay overnight.

Asheville is a great island to visit for backpackers. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not popular with students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is not popular with students.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cumberland Island National Seashore. The only way to the island is by ferry. It leaves from the town of St. Marys and advanced reservations are recommended.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville a more walkable city?

Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is somewhat walkable. There are many hikes on the island, but the whole island is 18 miles long, making it difficult to walk in one day. Many visitors spend their time near the campgrounds where there's the highest concentration of hiking trails. This area is known as Sea Camp.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Cumberland Island National Seashore Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Cumberland Island National Seashore?

How long in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Asheville than Cumberland Island National Seashore. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cumberland Island National Seashore, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

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

Couples should spend more time in Asheville than Cumberland Island National Seashore. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Cumberland Island National Seashore 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 Asheville.

One day in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

You'll find around the island of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cumberland Island National Seashore has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Asheville, you'll find nightlife and live music. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

You'll find around the pristine destination of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many people visit Asheville for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the secluded island of Cumberland Island National Seashore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Asheville is a popular place to visit. The eclectic mountain town of Asheville offers food and shopping. 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.

A week in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville, we can see that Cumberland Island National Seashore is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cumberland Island National Seashore Expensive? and Is Asheville Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville?

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 Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cumberland Island National Seashore as well as Asheville. Most visitors come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cumberland Island National Seashore is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Asheville averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cumberland Island National Seashore this time of the year. In the summer, Cumberland Island National Seashore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville in the Autumn?

Both Asheville and Cumberland Island National Seashore are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Cumberland Island National Seashore because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In October, Cumberland Island National Seashore is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore average around 70°F (21°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during autumn. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives less rain than Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville in the Winter?

Both Asheville and Cumberland Island National Seashore during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is much warmer than Asheville in the winter. The daily temperature in Cumberland Island National Seashore averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

In the winter, Cumberland Island National Seashore often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets less rain in January than Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Asheville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Asheville. Many travelers come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cumberland Island National Seashore is a little warmer than Asheville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In Cumberland Island National Seashore, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during spring. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives less rain than Asheville. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Cumberland Island National Seashore