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

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Moab?

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

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Moab

Moab is a adventurous, active, and scenic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Gatlinburg and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Moab?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Moab. Although Gatlinburg and Moab are both popular with visitors, Moab has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Moab is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Gatlinburg is known for its skiing, museums, nightlife, and resorts. Gatlinburg is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Moab is popular for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. It is also home to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.

How is Gatlinburg different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Moab Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for skiing. However, Moab 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.

Moab is not a skiing destination.

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

Gatlinburg is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

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

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Moab. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

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 Moab Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is very popular for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination 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.

Most people don't head to Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Is Gatlinburg or Moab Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is great for its luxury resorts. However, Moab is not a resort destination.

Gatlinburg is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Moab is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Moab Better for Hiking?

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

Many people visit Moab specifically for its hiking. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

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 Moab?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Moab 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.

Moab offers some nice shopping areas. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Is Gatlinburg or Moab Better for Families?

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

Moab is a very family-friendly destination. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

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 Moab Better for Couples?

Both Gatlinburg and Moab 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.

Moab is a very popular place to visit for couples. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Is Gatlinburg or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Moab is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

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 Moab Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Gatlinburg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Gatlinburg or Moab a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is great for its walkability. However, Moab is not a good destination 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.

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Moab 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Moab, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Gatlinburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gatlinburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gatlinburg 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 Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab than you might in Gatlinburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Moab?

Moab has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Moab, 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.