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

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Providence?

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 Providence 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 nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Gatlinburg travel costs.

Providence

Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Providence travel costs.

Gatlinburg and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Providence?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Gatlinburg than Providence, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Gatlinburg is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Providence is more popular for its food. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Providence 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. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Gatlinburg different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Providence Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a good destination for skiing. However, Providence 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.

Providence is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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.

Providence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

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

Providence is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Providence. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Gatlinburg or Providence Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Gatlinburg is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Gatlinburg or Providence Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Providence is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Gatlinburg to choose from. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Providence is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Providence Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is a great city for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails. 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.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Providence?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Providence 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.

Providence offers some nice shopping areas. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Gatlinburg or Providence Better for Families?

Providence is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Providence offers lots of family activities. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

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 Providence Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is a great city for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Gatlinburg is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Gatlinburg or Providence Better for Students?

Providence is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not popular with students.

Providence is very popular with students. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Gatlinburg is not popular with students.

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

Gatlinburg and Providence both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Gatlinburg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Is Gatlinburg or Providence a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg and Providence are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Gatlinburg is very walkable. 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.

Providence is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Providence or Gatlinburg?

How long in Gatlinburg or Providence?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Gatlinburg than Providence. 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 Providence 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 Providence?

With museums and skiing around the high energy city of Gatlinburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the active city of Providence, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Gatlinburg or Providence?

With skiing and nightlife around the destination of Gatlinburg, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Providence, 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 Providence?

Gatlinburg, a popular city, 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.

Providence, 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 Providence?

Gatlinburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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.

Providence 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 comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Providence, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Providence, 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 Gatlinburg or Providence?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the summer for the hiking. Also, most visitors come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Gatlinburg is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 81°F (27°C), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Providence during summer. Gatlinburg gets 294 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. In July, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Providence. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Providence in the Autumn?

Both Providence and Gatlinburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Providence because of the shopping scene.

Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. In the autumn, Gatlinburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Gatlinburg gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg usually gets less rain in October than Providence. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Providence in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Providence. The winter months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

It's quite cold in Providence in the winter. The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. In the winter, Gatlinburg is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gatlinburg in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Gatlinburg usually receives less sunshine than Providence during winter. Gatlinburg gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Providence. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Providence in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Providence.

In April, Gatlinburg is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 62°F (17°C), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In the spring, Gatlinburg often gets more sunshine than Providence. Gatlinburg gets 263 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Providence. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Providence and Gatlinburg