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

Should you visit Asheville or Victoria?

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 Victoria. 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 live music, food, and hiking. See Asheville travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a relaxing, cultural, and scenic city. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Victoria travel costs.

Asheville and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Victoria?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Victoria. While Victoria is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Victoria is known for its museums and attractions. Victoria is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks. 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 Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Victoria is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Victoria offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Asheville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Victoria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria is not a resort destination.

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.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Victoria?

Asheville is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Victoria 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.

Victoria is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Asheville or Victoria More Beautiful?

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

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

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Victoria are excellent 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 Victoria. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Couples?

Asheville and Victoria both excellent 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.

Victoria is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Is Asheville or Victoria Better for Students?

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

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

Victoria is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Victoria 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 Victoria.

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 Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Asheville or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Victoria is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Asheville or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Victoria. 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 Victoria?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Asheville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Victoria. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Victoria?

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing city of Victoria. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Victoria?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This mountain town offers something for everyone.

Victoria 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.

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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Victoria. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In the summer, Asheville is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Asheville is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Victoria. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Victoria can get quite cold in the winter. Asheville is a little warmer than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Victoria. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Victoria. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Asheville