A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Blue Ridge vs. Calgary for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Calgary?

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 Blue Ridge and Calgary. 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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a charming, outdoorsy, and historic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Blue Ridge is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Blue Ridge and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge. Although Blue Ridge and Calgary are popular destinations, Blue Ridge has more sights and attractions for tourists. Blue Ridge is very popular for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Calgary attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Calgary is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Blue Ridge is famous for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Chattahoochee National Forest.

How is Blue Ridge different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Calgary is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Calgary is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Blue Ridge. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Blue Ridge and Calgary.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Calgary has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Blue Ridge is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Blue Ridge is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary More Beautiful?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Blue Ridge is a beautiful place to visit, too. There are plenty of hikes to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. There's also a scenic railroad as well as places to kayak or go horseback riding.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary Better for Families?

Blue Ridge is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Blue Ridge is a very kid-friendly town. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Blue Ridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Calgary is a good town for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is well known for backpackers. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Blue Ridge is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calgary is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Calgary has some public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Calgary a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable place. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable town. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Blue Ridge or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Blue Ridge than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Calgary 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the western city of Calgary, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calgary, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Blue Ridge has to offer.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Calgary, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Blue Ridge is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Blue Ridge has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Calgary, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Blue Ridge or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. Since Blue Ridge is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Calgary is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 860 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Calgary, 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.