A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Asheville for Nightlife, Music, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Asheville?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a energetic, lively, and fun beach city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the live music, beaches, and nightlife.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Daytona Beach and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Asheville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Daytona Beach. Although Daytona Beach and Asheville are both popular with visitors, Daytona Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Daytona Beach is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Asheville is known for its food, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also home to The Daytona International Speedway. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate.

How is Daytona Beach different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Asheville is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Asheville area. 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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Daytona Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

Many people head to Asheville for the nightlife scene. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is a well-known place for its music scene. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for live music.

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its resorts. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its luxury resorts.

Asheville has a few great resort options. 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.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a good destination for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Daytona Beach offers a nice beach destination. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town charm. However, Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Asheville?

Asheville is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Daytona Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. 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.

Daytona Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Daytona Beach does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Daytona Beach does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Families?

Asheville is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Couples?

Asheville is a well-known place for couples. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for romance.

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.

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Daytona Beach is a very popular place to visit for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

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

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Asheville a more walkable city?

Asheville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Asheville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Asheville than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Asheville?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the beach city of Daytona Beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the eclectic destination of Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Asheville?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the fun destination of Daytona Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun beach city of Daytona Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the eclectic destination of Asheville. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Asheville?

Daytona Beach is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

You'll find live music and food around the mountain town of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Asheville, 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 Daytona Beach or Asheville?

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 Daytona Beach or Asheville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Asheville. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, 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 July, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Asheville. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Asheville. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Asheville. The autumn months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. 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.

Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Asheville. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Asheville in the Winter?

Both Asheville and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Daytona Beach is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Daytona Beach in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In January, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Asheville. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Daytona Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 69°F (21°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Daytona Beach