A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gatlinburg vs. Hershey for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Hershey?

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 Hershey can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hershey

Hershey is a lighthearted, fun-filled, and playful town. Other reasons to visit include shopping and museums.

Gatlinburg and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Hershey?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gatlinburg. Although Gatlinburg and Hershey are both popular with visitors, Gatlinburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gatlinburg is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is also home to the Gatlinburg Strip. Hershey is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar.

How is Gatlinburg different from Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Hershey Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Hershey is not a skiing destination.

Gatlinburg is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Hershey is not a skiing destination.

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

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Gatlinburg or Hershey.

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.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at decent restaurants in both Gatlinburg and Hershey.

Gatlinburg offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Gatlinburg or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is very popular for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Gatlinburg is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Gatlinburg or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Gatlinburg and Hershey.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Gatlinburg. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Hershey is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Is Gatlinburg or Hershey Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Hershey is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Gatlinburg. 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.

Hershey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Hershey?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Hershey both offer plenty of good 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.

Hershey offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Gatlinburg or Hershey Better for Families?

Hershey is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Hershey is one of the most popular family destinations. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

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 Hershey Better for Couples?

Both Gatlinburg and Hershey are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Gatlinburg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Hershey is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

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

Gatlinburg is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options 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 Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Gatlinburg or Hershey a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is a great destination for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Gatlinburg is very walkable. 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.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Hershey 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 Hershey, we can see that Hershey 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 Hershey Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Hershey?

Hershey has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Hershey, 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 Gatlinburg or Hershey?

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 Gatlinburg or Hershey in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Hershey. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hershey because of the family-friendly experiences.

Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Hershey in the summer. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Hershey fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gatlinburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey. Gatlinburg gets 294 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Hershey. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Hershey this time of year.

In the autumn, Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Hershey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Hershey averages at about 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during autumn. Gatlinburg gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Hershey. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey and Gatlinburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hershey. It's quite cold in Gatlinburg in the winter. In January, Gatlinburg is generally much warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Gatlinburg often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Gatlinburg gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in January than Hershey. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Hershey in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Hershey.

Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Hershey in the spring. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Hershey fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gatlinburg usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during spring. Gatlinburg gets 263 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Hershey. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hershey and Gatlinburg