A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gatlinburg vs. Whistler for Skiing, Nightlife, Hiking, and Food

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Whistler?

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 Whistler can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. It's also known for museums, skiing, and nightlife. See Gatlinburg travel costs.

Whistler

Whistler is a adventurous, outdoorsy, and charming village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Whistler is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Whistler travel costs.

Gatlinburg and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Whistler?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Whistler. Although Gatlinburg and Whistler are both popular with visitors, Whistler has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Whistler is more popular for its skiing, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Gatlinburg is known for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Gatlinburg is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whistler is popular for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. It is also home to Cloudraker Skybridge.

How is Gatlinburg different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is renowned for skiing. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for snow skiing.

Whistler is among the world's best ski destinations. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

For winter sports and skiing, Gatlinburg is a great destination to visit. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

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

Gatlinburg is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Whistler is not a good village for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

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

Whistler 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 Whistler. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

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 Whistler Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is renowned for nightlife. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

Whistler has a large number of nightlife venues. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Gatlinburg and Whistler.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Gatlinburg. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Whistler is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler Better for Hiking?

Whistler is renowned for hiking. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Whistler specifically for its hiking. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

Gatlinburg is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Whistler?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Whistler both offer plenty of good 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.

Whistler offers some nice shopping areas. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler More Beautiful?

Whistler is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Gatlinburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Whistler is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

Gatlinburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler Better for Families?

Whistler is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Whistler is one of the most popular family destinations. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Whistler Better for Couples?

Both Gatlinburg and Whistler are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Whistler is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Whistler is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Whistler is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Gatlinburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a touristy town with plenty of cheap motels in the area. There are also campgrounds and hiking not far away.

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

Gatlinburg is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Whistler is not a good village for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is Gatlinburg or Whistler a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg and Whistler are excellent 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.

Whistler is a very walkable city. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Whistler or Gatlinburg?

How long in Gatlinburg or Whistler?

In either Gatlinburg or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Whistler than Gatlinburg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Gatlinburg, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.

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

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

One day in Gatlinburg or Whistler?

The city of Gatlinburg offers nightlife and shopping. 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.

With shopping and skiing around the adventurous village of Whistler, 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 Gatlinburg or Whistler?

Gatlinburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Gatlinburg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With skiing and nightlife around the destination of Whistler, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Gatlinburg or Whistler?

Gatlinburg is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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.

Whistler, a popular village, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this village. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Gatlinburg or Whistler?

Gatlinburg is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 city offers something for everyone.

Whistler 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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Whistler, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. And not only is Whistler much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Whistler would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whistler 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 Whistler.

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 Gatlinburg or Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler and Gatlinburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Whistler for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. In the summer, Gatlinburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. Gatlinburg gets 294 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Whistler in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Whistler. Many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Whistler in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Gatlinburg is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gatlinburg usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Gatlinburg gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Whistler. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Whistler. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Whistler for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Whistler can be very cold during winter. Gatlinburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Gatlinburg is generally around the same temperature as Whistler. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Gatlinburg often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Gatlinburg gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. Gatlinburg usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Whistler in the Spring?

Both Whistler and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Whistler because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Gatlinburg gets 263 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Whistler. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Gatlinburg