A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Hilton Head Island for Families, Food, Resorts, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

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 Asheville and Hilton Head Island. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Asheville travel costs.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a family-friendly, relaxing, and peaceful coastal town. Hilton Head Island is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and food. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

Asheville and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Hilton Head Island are both popular with visitors, Asheville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Asheville is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Hilton Head Island is known for its resorts and beaches. Hilton Head Island is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Hilton Head Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Hilton Head Island can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Asheville. 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.

Hilton Head Island has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Asheville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Asheville while you're in town. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is well known for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Hilton Head Island to choose from. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Asheville has a few great resort options. 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.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is well known for the beach. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Hilton Head Island for it's beautiful beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Asheville is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. 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.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island More Beautiful?

Asheville and Hilton Head Island are somewhat similar when it comes to the good scenery.

Asheville is a beautiful place to visit, too. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Hilton Head Island offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Hilton Head Island is very family-friendly. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. 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 Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

Asheville is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Hilton Head Island is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. This is a family-focused beach destination with almost no backpackers around.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Students?

Asheville is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Asheville is very popular with students. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Asheville or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

Asheville is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Both Asheville and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Asheville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Hilton Head Island 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 Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the eclectic destination of Asheville. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal town of Hilton Head Island. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Asheville is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the eclectic mountain town of Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Asheville has to offer.

You'll find shopping and food around the relaxing destination of Hilton Head Island. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Asheville. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the resort-filled coastal town of Hilton Head Island. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Hilton Head Island is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilton Head Island, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island 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 Asheville Expensive? and Is Hilton Head Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 100% larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Hilton Head Island, 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 Asheville or Hilton Head Island?

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 Asheville or Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Hilton Head Island. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilton Head Island. Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets less rain in July than Hilton Head Island. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

Both Hilton Head Island and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Asheville is generally cooler than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

Both Hilton Head Island and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Asheville is cooler than Hilton Head Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Hilton Head Island. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Hilton Head Island. The spring months attract visitors to Asheville because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.

In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Asheville