A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Martha's Vineyard for Resorts, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 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 live music, food, and hiking. See Asheville travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a affluent, coastal, and peaceful island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of Martha's Vineyard is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and food. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Asheville and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Martha's Vineyard 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, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Martha's Vineyard is known for its museums and attractions, resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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 Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its music scene. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is well known for the beach. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a great mountain town for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Martha's Vineyard and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is well known for its scenery and beauty. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Martha's Vineyard is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as 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.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. However, Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

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

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Martha's Vineyard.

Public transit is generally 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 mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Asheville or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Asheville and Martha's Vineyard both are good when exploring on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable mountain town. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Martha's Vineyard. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Martha's Vineyard. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With food and shopping around the destination of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Martha's Vineyard has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and nightlife around the open-minded mountain town of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the progressive destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 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 Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Asheville or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In the summer, Asheville is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Martha's Vineyard. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Martha's Vineyard. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Martha's Vineyard. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. Asheville is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Martha's Vineyard. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Asheville