A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Greensboro vs. Aspen for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Greensboro or Aspen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Greensboro and Aspen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Aspen

Aspen is a artsy, outdoorsy, and authentic ski town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Greensboro and Aspen: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Greensboro or Aspen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aspen. Although Greensboro and Aspen are both popular with visitors, Aspen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Aspen is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Greensboro is known for its museums. Aspen is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for its world-class skiing, many food, film, and music festivals, and its stunning mountain hikes. It is also home to The Maroon Bells. Greensboro is popular for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Greensboro different from Aspen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Skiing?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is a must-visit destination for winter skiing. However, Greensboro is not a skiing destination.

Aspen is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. Near the town, there are 4 separate ski resorts. In town you'll find Aspen Mountain, which is known for it's black-diamond runs. Aspen Highlands, a couple miles away, has a mix of slopes and is less crowded. Buttermilk attracts many freestyle skiers and Aspen Snowmass is considered one of the best family-friendly ski areas.

Greensboro is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Greensboro or Aspen?

Greensboro
Aspen

Greensboro is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Greensboro. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Greensboro or Aspen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Aspen, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town hosts many food festivals and there is a growing selection of diverse restaurants. In town you'll find cafes and restaurants that cater to both the local crowd and the travelers who flock to the area during peak seasons.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Nightlife?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Aspen is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The people in Aspen know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene includes craft beer, live music, and dancing. There's a local vibe, particularly during the off-season times when the tourist crowds are less.

If you're looking for night time activities Greensboro has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.


Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Music?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its live music scene. However, Greensboro is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Aspen. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Greensboro is not a live music destination.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Resorts?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its resorts. However, Greensboro is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Aspen to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis Aspen.

Greensboro is not a resort destination.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Hiking?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Aspen. During the summer and fall seasons, hiking is a great way to explore Aspen's nearby beauty. Popular trails include the Ute Trail, the Lost Man Trail, and the famous Maroon Bells Scenic Trail.

Greensboro is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Greensboro or Aspen?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Aspen is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

Greensboro has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Christmas?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is a must-visit destination for its Christmas activities. However, Greensboro does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, Aspen is not to be missed. There are a number of beautiful activities that will bring the holiday season to life in the town.

Greensboro does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Christmas Markets?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its Christmas markets. However, Greensboro does not offer Christmas markets.

Many people head to Aspen to see its Christmas markets. The town has a charming Christmas market that is fun to explore and has around 40 vendors.

Greensboro does not offer Christmas markets.


Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Families?

Greensboro
Aspen

Both Greensboro and Aspen are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Greensboro. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Aspen offers lots of family activities. Families that enjoy skiing together, hiking, rock climbing, and having adventures will enjoy a visit to this town. Aspen Mountain is not a great option for beginning skiers, but further away, Aspen Snowmass offers good beginner slopes.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Couples?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Aspen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Aspen is both a popular ski destination as well as an established town. There are many great restaurants and activities that couples can enjoy and the setting is cute and very scenic, making it a beautiful and romantic destination.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Students?

Greensboro
Aspen

Greensboro is a city with good options for students. However, Aspen is not popular with students.

Greensboro is popular with students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Aspen is not popular with students.


Is Greensboro or Aspen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is a good destination for its public transit. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Aspen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Greensboro or Aspen a more walkable city?

Greensboro
Aspen

Aspen is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Aspen is a very walkable ski town. The town is compact enough that it can be explored on foot. If you're planning to head into the mountains to hike, you'll likely need a car.

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable city. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

For even more information, also check out Is Greensboro Worth Visiting? and Is Aspen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aspen or Greensboro?

How long in Greensboro or Aspen?

In either Greensboro or Aspen, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Aspen than Greensboro because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greensboro, and 3-5 days is enough time in Aspen.

Families should spend more time in Aspen than Greensboro. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Aspen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aspen than Greensboro. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aspen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aspen than Greensboro 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 Aspen.


  • How many days in Greensboro or Aspen? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greensboro 1-2 
    Aspen 3-5

One day in Greensboro or Aspen?

In Greensboro, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this friendly destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Aspen might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Greensboro or Aspen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Greensboro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Even though Aspen is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Greensboro or Aspen?

Greensboro is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Greensboro. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Aspen, a popular ski town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this ski town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Greensboro or Aspen?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the welcoming destination of Greensboro. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aspen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Aspen or Greensboro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Greensboro is $162, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $293. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Greensboro and Aspen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greensboro $96
    Aspen $170
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greensboro $192
    Aspen $340
Compare Hotels in Greensboro and Aspen

Looking for a hotel in Greensboro or Aspen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Greensboro


Hotels in Aspen


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Greensboro Hotel Prices and Aspen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greensboro $24
    Aspen $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:

  • Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $218
  • Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269

Is it cheaper to fly into Greensboro or Aspen?

Prices for flights to both Aspen and Greensboro change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Greensboro $48
    Aspen $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greensboro $26
    Aspen $45

Tours and Activities in Greensboro

Here are a few actual costs in Greensboro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • True Crime Tour: $16
  • Downtown Historic Walking Tour: $16
  • African American History Walking Tour: $16

Tours and Activities in Aspen

Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
  • Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
  • Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
  • From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greensboro $20
    Aspen $20


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

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


Which is Bigger, Greensboro or Aspen?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro and Aspen, 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.