A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Asheville for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Saint Louis or Asheville?

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 Saint Louis and Asheville. 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.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville

Asheville is a progressive, open-minded, and eclectic mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for live music, food, and hiking.

Saint Louis and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Asheville?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Louis attracts visitors for its museums. Saint Louis is famous for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Saint Louis different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Asheville?

Saint Louis is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Saint Louis are among the most recognizable in the world. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Asheville can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Asheville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is well known for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is well known for live music. However, Saint Louis is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Saint Louis is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its resorts. However, Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town. However, Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Asheville?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Asheville and Saint Louis.

Saint Louis is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Asheville is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Asheville. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, Saint Louis does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Saint Louis does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Asheville are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Saint Louis is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Asheville is very family-friendly. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Couples?

Asheville is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Asheville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is well known for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is well known for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is well known for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you around easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Saint Louis or Asheville a more walkable city?

Saint Louis and Asheville both are nice when exploring on foot.

Saint Louis is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Asheville. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Asheville than Saint Louis. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Saint Louis 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 Asheville.

One day in Saint Louis or Asheville?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Louis. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the open-minded mountain town of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Asheville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under rated destination of Saint Louis. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the progressive destination of Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Louis or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Saint Louis. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The open-minded mountain town of Asheville offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Saint Louis or Asheville?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Asheville?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Asheville, 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 Saint Louis or Asheville?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Asheville in the Summer?

Both Asheville and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In the summer, Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Louis in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Asheville averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In July, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Asheville. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Asheville in the Autumn?

Both Asheville and Saint Louis during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Louis is generally cooler than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 60°F (16°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Asheville. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in October than Asheville. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Asheville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Asheville. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. Saint Louis is much colder than Asheville in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 31°F (-1°C) in January, and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

Saint Louis usually receives less sunshine than Asheville during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Asheville. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Asheville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Asheville. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Saint Louis is cooler than Asheville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Louis in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Asheville. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Asheville. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Saint Louis