A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cherokee vs. Hope for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cherokee or Hope?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee or Hope, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a cultural, genuine, and fascinating town. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking. See Cherokee travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a small, friendly, and local town. It's also known for hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Cherokee and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Cherokee or Hope?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cherokee. Although Cherokee and Hope are both popular with visitors, Cherokee has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cherokee is popular for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails. It is also home to Oconaluftee Indian Village. Hope is popular for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Cherokee different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Cherokee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the museums educate visitors on the Native American culture. Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Mountain Farm Museum each offer a unique and interesting perspective.

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.


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

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cherokee. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

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 Cherokee or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Cherokee
Hope

Evening events are decent in both Cherokee and Hope.

Most people don't head to Cherokee specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Hope. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Cherokee or Hope Better for Hiking?

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee and Hope are both places where visitors can find excellent hiking trails.

Cherokee is a popular spot for hiking. There are many trails in the area that pass through forests, wander by waterfalls, and take you to spectacular viewpoints. The fall foliage is particularly nice during the autumn months.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hope. 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 Cherokee or Hope?

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cherokee. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

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 Cherokee or Hope Better for Families?

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee and Hope are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Cherokee is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make this a fun destination for families. There are countless outdoor adventure activities. The town is also filled with Cherokee history and culture, so it offers educational experiences as well.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Hope is very family-friendly. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Cherokee or Hope Better for Couples?

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee and Hope are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Cherokee is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

Hope makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.


Is Cherokee or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cherokee
Hope

Hope is notable for backpackers. Also, Cherokee is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Cherokee is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

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

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee 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 Cherokee. There are some bus and shuttle routes, but a private vehicle is important if you want to make the most of your visit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Cherokee or Hope a more walkable city?

Cherokee
Hope

Cherokee and Hope both are decent when exploring on foot.

Cherokee is generally not very walkable. If you want to explore the area, you'll need a car to reach most places.

Hope is generally not a very walkable town. 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 Cherokee Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Cherokee?

How long in Cherokee or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cherokee and Hope. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cherokee than in Hope. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cherokee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

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

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


  • How many days in Cherokee or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cherokee 2-4 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Cherokee or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Cherokee. 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.

The town of Hope offers . 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.

A weekend in Cherokee or Hope?

Cherokee 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.

Hope is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Hope, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cherokee or Hope?

You'll find shopping and museums around the fascinating destination of Cherokee. This 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.

Hope 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.


A week in Cherokee or Hope?

The genuine town of Cherokee offers museums and food. 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 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 town offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Cherokee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cherokee Prices
    USA Prices
    Hope Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cherokee $186
    Hope $47

The average daily cost (per person) in Cherokee is $186, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cherokee and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cherokee $158
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cherokee $316
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Cherokee and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Cherokee or Hope? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cherokee


Hotels in Hope


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cherokee Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Hope -

Is it cheaper to fly into Cherokee or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Cherokee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cherokee $27
    Hope $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Hope

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hope.

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cherokee -
    Hope -


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


Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Hope?

Cherokee has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee or Hope in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cherokee as well as Hope. Most visitors come to Cherokee for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hope because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Cherokee is much warmer than Hope in the summer. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Cherokee receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cherokee usually gets more rain in July than Hope. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cherokee 81°F (27°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Cherokee or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Cherokee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Cherokee because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hope this time of year.

In the autumn, Cherokee is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cherokee in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Hope averages at about 10°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In October, Cherokee usually receives less rain than Hope. Cherokee gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cherokee 63°F (17°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Cherokee or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Cherokee during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cherokee this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hope. It's quite cold in Cherokee in the winter. In January, Cherokee is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 40°F (5°C), and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. Cherokee usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cherokee 40°F (5°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Cherokee or Hope in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cherokee and Hope.

Cherokee is much warmer than Hope in the spring. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cherokee usually receives less rain than Hope. Cherokee gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cherokee 62°F (17°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Cherokee

Cherokee Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)