A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Death Valley National Park for Backpackers, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

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 Death Valley National Park. 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 historic, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a vast, dramatic, and striking national park. Death Valley National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Death Valley National Park travel costs.

Blue Ridge and Death Valley National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge than Death Valley National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Blue Ridge is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Death Valley National Park is more popular for its resorts and impressive beauty. Death Valley National Park is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is popular for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. Blue Ridge is well known for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Also, Blue Ridge is famous for Chattahoochee National Forest.

How is Blue Ridge different from Death Valley National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Death Valley National Park 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 Death Valley National Park?

Spend time exploring the respectable sights and museums in either Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park.

While most people don't head to Blue Ridge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Death Valley National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are ghost towns and visitor centers with informational exhibits, but visitors spend most of their time exploring the outdoor environment.

Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its restaurants.

Dining out in Blue Ridge is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Death Valley National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are restaurants at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, but most visitors prefer to bring their own food so that they can enjoy picnicking in a beautiful setting.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge is very good for its evening party scene. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Death Valley National Park doesn't offer many options. Beyond stargazing and relaxing around a campfire, there is no real nightlife in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Resorts?

Death Valley National Park is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Death Valley National Park has a few resort options worth checking out. There are historical inns and lodges in and around the park. The privately owned Inn at Death Valley is a popular option in Furnace Creek. If you stay outside the park, you can expect long drives to get most places.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Blue Ridge and Death Valley National Park, and they are high quality.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Death Valley National Park. Hikes will take you past desert landscapes, through canyons, and along sand dunes. The views are spectacular and the setting is other-worldly. Hiking is best between the months of November and March, as temperatures can be high other times of the year, particularly during the summer months.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Blue Ridge. 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.

Shopping in Death Valley National Park can be found for those interested. There are a couple of general stores where you can pick up items that you may need.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park More Beautiful?

Death Valley National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Death Valley National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The striking desert setting offers stunning beauty and breathtaking viewpoints. The park is at its most beautiful when the sun is low during sunrise and sunset.

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.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Families?

Both Blue Ridge and Death Valley National Park are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Blue Ridge is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Death Valley National Park is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will love hiking and exploring the vast desert. There are also ghost towns and abandoned mines that will fascinate kids and adults alike. Junior programs, operated by the National Park Service, also offer interesting and educational programming for kids.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge and Death Valley National Park both high quality destinations for a couple.

Blue Ridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Death Valley National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The stunning desert landscape will take your breathe away, particularly during sunrise and sunset, when the colors are dramatic and striking. In the evening, the sky fills with stars and couples can enjoy a bit of stargazing.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Death Valley National Park is an amazing national park to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Death Valley National Park. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and camping in a unique desert environment. There are several campgrounds in the area that range from primitive to developed.

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.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Death Valley National Park. There is no public transportation within the park.

Is Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its walkability.

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

Death Valley National Park is not a very walkable town. This is a huge national park that requires a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is Death Valley National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Death Valley National Park or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 2-4 days is enough time in Death Valley National Park.

Families should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Death Valley National Park. 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 Death Valley National Park. 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.

One day in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With around the vast national park of Death Valley National Park, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

With around the destination of Death Valley National Park, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this national park.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Death Valley National Park?

Blue Ridge is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This is a popular place to visit for five days.Five days is often enough time to do most activities. This town offers something for everyone.

Death Valley National Park, a popular national park, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Death Valley National Park?

Blue Ridge is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Death Valley National Park 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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 Death Valley National Park Expensive?.