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

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Reno?

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 Reno 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.

Reno

Reno is a growing, vibrant, and energetic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Reno travel costs.

Gatlinburg and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Reno?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Gatlinburg than Reno, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Gatlinburg is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Reno is more popular for its food. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Reno 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. Reno is well known for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is Gatlinburg different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Reno Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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.

Reno offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

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

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Reno. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

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 Reno Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Gatlinburg is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

The people in Reno know how to have a good time. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

Is Gatlinburg or Reno Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Reno Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Reno?

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

Reno offers some nice shopping areas. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Is Gatlinburg or Reno Better for Families?

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

Reno offers lots of family activities. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

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 Reno Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Gatlinburg or Reno 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, Reno 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 Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is Gatlinburg or Reno a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Reno 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.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Reno or Gatlinburg?

How long in Gatlinburg or Reno?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Gatlinburg and Reno. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Gatlinburg than in Reno. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Gatlinburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Reno.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the destination of Gatlinburg. 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.

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

A weekend in Gatlinburg or Reno?

Gatlinburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

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

You'll find museums and skiing around the high energy destination of Gatlinburg. This city 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.

Reno, 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 Reno?

The wild city of Gatlinburg offers skiing and nightlife. 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.

Reno 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 Reno, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Reno.

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Reno?

Reno has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Reno, 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.