A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gatlinburg vs. Boise for Nightlife, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Boise?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Boise can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a wild, flashy, and high energy city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Gatlinburg travel costs.

Boise

Boise is a friendly, welcoming, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Boise travel costs.

Gatlinburg and Boise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Boise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Gatlinburg than Boise, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Boise and is known for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also, Gatlinburg is famous for the Gatlinburg Strip. Boise is well known for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Gatlinburg different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Boise is not a skiing destination.

Head to Gatlinburg for some great skiing and other winter activities. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Boise is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gatlinburg or Boise?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Gatlinburg or Boise.

Gatlinburg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

Boise offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Gatlinburg or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at respectable restaurants in both Gatlinburg and Boise.

Gatlinburg offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Boise. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Boise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Gatlinburg is a world class party destination. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

Boise has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Boise is not a resort destination.

Gatlinburg is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Boise is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Gatlinburg. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Boise?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Boise both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Gatlinburg. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

Boise offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Families?

Boise is adequate for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

For families, Boise is not always the best place to visit. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Gatlinburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Boise is lacking in options for its public transit.

Gatlinburg has some public transit options. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

Is Gatlinburg or Boise a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Boise is lacking in options for its walkability.

Gatlinburg is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or Gatlinburg?

How long in Gatlinburg or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Gatlinburg or Boise to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Gatlinburg than Boise because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Gatlinburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Boise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gatlinburg than Boise 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 Gatlinburg.

One day in Gatlinburg or Boise?

In Gatlinburg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this high energy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Gatlinburg or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gatlinburg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Boise, 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 Gatlinburg or Boise?

Gatlinburg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the destination of Gatlinburg. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Boise, 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 Gatlinburg or Boise?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the flashy destination of Gatlinburg. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Boise 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 from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Boise?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Boise, 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.