A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gatlinburg vs. Salt Lake City for Nightlife, Attractions, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City?

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 Salt Lake City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a wild, flashy, and high energy city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a religious, architectural, and notable city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and food.

Gatlinburg and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Gatlinburg than Salt Lake City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Gatlinburg is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Salt Lake City is more popular for its museums, food, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Salt Lake City and is known 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. Salt Lake City is well known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population.

How is Gatlinburg different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is very good for skiing and snowboarding. However, Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City is great for its historical sights. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Salt Lake City specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

Gatlinburg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Is the Food Better in Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

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 Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Gatlinburg just to party. 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.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

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.

Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Gatlinburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Salt Lake City. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Gatlinburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City offers some nice shopping areas. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Salt Lake City is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Salt Lake City offers lots of family activities. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

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 Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Gatlinburg makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

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

Gatlinburg and Salt Lake City both offer notable public transit to get you around.

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.

Salt Lake City has a few public transit options. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Is Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options 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.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Salt Lake City, 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.