A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Aspen for Food, Resorts, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and Aspen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Aspen

Aspen is a outdoorsy, authentic, and charming ski town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Aspen attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Aspen travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard and Aspen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aspen. Although Martha's Vineyard and Aspen are popular destinations, Aspen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aspen is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, hiking, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, resorts, and beaches. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Aspen is famous for its world-class skiing, many food, film, and music festivals, and its stunning mountain hikes. It is also well known for The Maroon Bells.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Aspen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Skiing?

Aspen is an amazing ski town to visit for skiing. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a skiing destination.

Aspen is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. Near the town, there are 4 separate ski resorts. In town you'll find Aspen Mountain, which is known for it's black-diamond runs. Aspen Highlands, a couple miles away, has a mix of slopes and is less crowded. Buttermilk attracts many freestyle skiers and Aspen Snowmass is considered one of the best family-friendly ski areas.

Martha's Vineyard is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aspen is an amazing ski town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Aspen, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town hosts many food festivals and there is a growing selection of diverse restaurants. In town you'll find cafes and restaurants that cater to both the local crowd and the travelers who flock to the area during peak seasons.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Martha's Vineyard makes for a great culinary experience. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Nightlife?

Aspen is a great ski town for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Aspen has something for everybody. The people in Aspen know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene includes craft beer, live music, and dancing. There's a local vibe, particularly during the off-season times when the tourist crowds are less.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Music?

Aspen is a great ski town for its music scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Aspen has a thriving music scene. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its resorts. Also, Aspen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Martha's Vineyard is a world class resort vacation destination. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

There are plenty of resorts in Aspen to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis Aspen.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great destination for the beach. However, Aspen is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Martha's Vineyard attract visitors from all over. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Aspen is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Hiking?

Aspen is a great ski town for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Aspen for the hiking trails. During the summer and fall seasons, hiking is a great way to explore Aspen's nearby beauty. Popular trails include the Ute Trail, the Lost Man Trail, and the famous Maroon Bells Scenic Trail.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Aspen both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Aspen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Martha's Vineyard and Aspen.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Aspen is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the mountains and set amongst a beautiful natural setting, this town will take your breath away.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Families?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Aspen are nice family-friendly destinations.

Martha's Vineyard offers lots of family activities. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Aspen is a family-friendly place to visit. Families that enjoy skiing together, hiking, rock climbing, and having adventures will enjoy a visit to this town. Aspen Mountain is not a great option for beginning skiers, but further away, Aspen Snowmass offers good beginner slopes.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for couples. Also, Aspen is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Aspen is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Aspen is both a popular ski destination as well as an established town. There are many great restaurants and activities that couples can enjoy and the setting is cute and very scenic, making it a beautiful and romantic destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Aspen is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its public transit.

While Aspen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

Public transit is generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Aspen a more walkable city?

Aspen is a great ski town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Aspen is a very walkable destination. The town is compact enough that it can be explored on foot. If you're planning to head into the mountains to hike, you'll likely need a car.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Aspen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aspen or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

In either Martha's Vineyard or Aspen, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Aspen than Martha's Vineyard because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 3-5 days is enough time in Aspen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aspen than Martha's Vineyard 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 Aspen.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With food and shopping around the small town destination of Aspen, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 shopping and skiing around the vibrant ski town of Aspen, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

Martha's Vineyard is a fun place to experience. Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

With skiing and nightlife around the charming small town of Aspen, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this ski town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Aspen?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aspen is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This ski town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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