A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gatlinburg vs. Flagstaff for Nightlife, Hiking, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Flagstaff?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Flagstaff can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a wild, flashy, and high energy city. Other popular activities here include skiing, nightlife, and hiking.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a picturesque, active, and adventurous city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Gatlinburg and Flagstaff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Flagstaff?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Gatlinburg than Flagstaff, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Gatlinburg is better known for its skiing, nightlife, and resorts, while Flagstaff is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Flagstaff and is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also, Gatlinburg is famous for the Gatlinburg Strip. Flagstaff is well known for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66.

How is Gatlinburg different from Flagstaff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a city with good options for winter skiing. However, Flagstaff is not a skiing destination.

Head to Gatlinburg for some great skiing and other winter activities. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Flagstaff is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gatlinburg or Flagstaff?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Gatlinburg or Flagstaff.

Gatlinburg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

Flagstaff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Gatlinburg or Flagstaff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flagstaff is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Flagstaff. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Gatlinburg is a world class party destination. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

If you're looking for night time activities Flagstaff has a few options to choose from. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is well known for its resorts. However, Flagstaff is not a resort destination.

In Gatlinburg, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Flagstaff is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff is renowned for hiking. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Flagstaff specifically for its hiking. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Gatlinburg is a popular spot for hiking. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Flagstaff?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Flagstaff both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Gatlinburg. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

Flagstaff offers some nice shopping areas. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Families?

Flagstaff is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Flagstaff is a very family-friendly destination. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is well known for couples. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Gatlinburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

Flagstaff is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Flagstaff is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Flagstaff is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

Gatlinburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a touristy town with plenty of cheap motels in the area. There are also campgrounds and hiking not far away.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gatlinburg is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Flagstaff is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Gatlinburg, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Is Gatlinburg or Flagstaff a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Gatlinburg is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

Flagstaff is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Flagstaff Worth Visiting?.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Flagstaff, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Flagstaff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Flagstaff?

Flagstaff has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Flagstaff, 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.