A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Adirondack Mountains vs. Durango for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

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

Should I visit Adirondack Mountains or Durango? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Adirondack Mountains

Adirondack Mountains is a scenic, serene, and pristine region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Durango

Durango is a historic, charming, and quaint small town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the hiking and museums.

Adirondack Mountains and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Adirondack Mountains. Although Adirondack Mountains and Durango are popular destinations, Adirondack Mountains has more sights and attractions for tourists. Adirondack Mountains is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Durango attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Adirondack Mountains is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its miles of hiking trails, beautiful lakes, and pristine forests. It is also well known for Whiteface Mountain. Durango is famous for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities.

How is Adirondack Mountains different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Skiing?

Adirondack Mountains is a good destination for skiing and snowboarding. However, Durango is lacking in good options for winter skiing.

Adirondack Mountains is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. There are a number of ski resorts in the area with some of the most popular being Whiteface, Titus Mountain, and Oak Mountain.

Durango is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Adirondack Mountains and Durango.

Adirondack Mountains offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You can learn about local culture and heritage at any of the museums in the area. At the Adirondack Experience you can visit a vast campus that offers an open-air experience relating to the region's history. Other educational centers in the area include a wildlife center, several art museums, as well as battlefields, forts, and war museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Durango. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Is the Food Better in Adirondack Mountains or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Adirondack Mountains is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Adirondack Mountains. Steakhouses, pancake shops, and local diners all serve up fresh and local dishes. Many visitors like to pack a picnic that they can enjoy along a hiking trail, but if you're looking for a sit down option, there are also plenty of restaurants to choose from.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Adirondack Mountains is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Adirondack Mountains. There are laid back bars and pubs in the area, but for the best nightlife scene, head to Lake Placid.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Resorts?

Adirondack Mountains is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Durango is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Adirondack Mountains to choose from. Lodges and inns fill with vacationers who enjoy the pools and scenic settings that many of the resorts offer. Many places have a summer camp atmosphere that feels both wholesome and adventurous.

Durango is not a resort destination.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a popular place for its old town. However, Adirondack Mountains does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Durango to see the old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Adirondack Mountains does not have a historic old town.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Adirondack Mountains and Durango both have superb trails.

Adirondack Mountains is a popular spot for hiking. Trails range from easy to challenging and each passes through beautiful and diverse landscapes. You can climb to scenic viewpoints or explore pristine forests. It's the perfect way to escape into nature for a bit.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Durango. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

Adirondack Mountains is a good destination for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Adirondack Mountains. Many of the towns have a "general store" where you can pick up souvenirs or local items. There are also local artisan shops and even outlet malls in the area.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Adirondack Mountains does not offer Christmas activities.

Durango offers some nice Christmas activities. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Adirondack Mountains does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Adirondack Mountains or Durango.

Adirondack Mountains is a very kid-friendly region. There area is filled with ropes courses, adventure parks, and hiking trails. There are nature centers with information programs for young ones. The kids will also be a enchanted by the waterfalls as the adults are.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Durango. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Couples?

Adirondack Mountains is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Adirondack Mountains makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many lodges and inns that are tucked away in the mountains and make for a romantic retreat. Couples will enjoy the hiking and beautiful views. Whether you spend your time cozied up by the fire or out on an adventure, this is a wonderful romantic destination.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adirondack Mountains is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Adirondack Mountains is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of campgrounds and even backcountry camping in the region. The hiking trails and beautiful setting make this a fun place to explore.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Adirondack Mountains or Durango offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Adirondack Mountains. There is no real public transportation in the park.

Public transit is quite limited in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Adirondack Mountains or Durango a more walkable city?

Durango is a moderate small town for its high level of walkability. However, Adirondack Mountains is a mediocre region for its ease of walking around.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

Adirondack Mountains is not a very walkable region. While there are many hiking trails, to get around and access most destinations, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Adirondack Mountains Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Adirondack Mountains?

How long in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Adirondack Mountains and Durango. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Adirondack Mountains than in Durango. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Adirondack Mountains, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Adirondack Mountains than Durango 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 Adirondack Mountains.

One day in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

In Adirondack Mountains, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This region offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

In Adirondack Mountains, you'll find museums and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Durango is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this small town has to offer. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

Adirondack Mountains is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Adirondack Mountains has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Many people visit Durango for five days. Durango is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

A week in Adirondack Mountains or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adirondack Mountains. In Adirondack Mountains, you'll find nightlife and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Because Durango is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Adirondack Mountains and Durango, we can see that Adirondack Mountains 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 Adirondack Mountains Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.