A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asheville vs. Hope for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Asheville or Hope?

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 Hope. 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 open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Asheville travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a friendly, local, and small town. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Asheville and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Hope?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Hope are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Hope attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate. Hope is famous for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Asheville different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Hope?

Hope is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a great mountain town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Asheville has something for everybody. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for live music. However, Hope is not a live music destination.

Asheville has a thriving music scene. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Hope is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Resorts?

Asheville is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Hope 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.

Hope is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town. However, Hope 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.

Hope does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Hope, and they are high quality.

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.

Many visitors go to Hope for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Hope?

Asheville is a great mountain town for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Asheville or Hope More Beautiful?

Asheville is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Hope are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Asheville is a very kid-friendly mountain town. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hope. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Couples?

Asheville and Hope both high quality destinations for a couple.

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.

Hope is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville and Hope are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Is Asheville or Hope Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. However, Hope 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.

Hope is not popular with students.

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

Asheville is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known 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 Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Asheville or Hope a more walkable city?

Asheville is very good for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

Asheville is somewhat walkable. 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.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

Should I spend more time in Hope or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Hope. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Hope. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Hope. 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 Hope. 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 Hope 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 Hope?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the town of Hope. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Hope?

Asheville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the local destination of Hope. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Hope?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the progressive destination of Asheville. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the friendly town of Hope. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Hope?

The outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville offers nightlife and live music. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Hope is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Hope?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Hope, 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 Hope?

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 Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hope in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Asheville is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Hope. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Hope. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hope for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Asheville is much warmer than Hope in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Asheville usually receives less rain than Hope. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Hope in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Hope. Most visitors come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Hope because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Hope can be very cold. In the winter, Asheville is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Hope averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Asheville because of the natural beauty.

In April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hope. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hope and Asheville