Which place is cheaper, Grand Canyon National Park or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Grand Canyon National Park. 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.
Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Grand Canyon National Park is a stunning, world-renowned, and gorgeous national park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Alexandria than Grand Canyon National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alexandria is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Grand Canyon National Park is more popular for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Grand Canyon National Park is more touristy than Alexandria and is known for its iconic beauty, layers of color, breathtaking sunsets, and world-renowned geological history. Alexandria is well known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Also, Alexandria is famous for Mount Vernon.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Grand Canyon National Park and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Alexandria is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Grand Canyon National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.
Grand Canyon National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
Alexandria is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Grand Canyon National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Alexandria. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Grand Canyon National Park. There are several markets, restaurants, and cafes in the park but, in general, the options are expensive and not the best. If possible, bring your own food and plan for a picnic with a view.
Alexandria is a good destination for nightlife. However, Grand Canyon National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.
Grand Canyon National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Grand Canyon National Park is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.
Grand Canyon National Park has a few great resort options. There are several options within and near the park that range from luxury to affordable. Reservations should be made well in advance for most hotels within the park. Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon Lodge (North Rim) and Phantom Ranch are all unique places to stay.
Alexandria is not a resort destination.
Alexandria is renowned for its historic old town. However, Grand Canyon National Park does not have a historic old town.
The old town of Alexandria is one of the most recognized in the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.
Grand Canyon National Park does not have a historic old town.
Grand Canyon National Park is great for hiking. However, Alexandria is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Grand Canyon National Park for the hiking trails. Hiking options at the Grand Canyon include an easy walk along the rim or a hike into the canyon. If you're planning to enjoy a view from the rim and then stroll along the rim walk, a day or two is plenty. Hiking into the canyon is a thrilling experience, but it does require more preparation and planning. You should also check out the weather before you depart as temperatures within the canyon can become dangerously hot.
Alexandria is not a hiking destination.
Alexandria is a very popular place for shopping. However, Grand Canyon National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.
Grand Canyon National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Grand Canyon National Park is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.
Grand Canyon National Park offers lots of family activities. This park is a spectacular landmark with a number of nature programs that kids can enjoy. There's also a simple rim walk along the edge of the canyon that is perfect for little legs.
Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.
Grand Canyon National Park is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Grand Canyon National Park is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples who enjoy beauty, nature, and adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are amazing hikes and breathtaking views that make this a truly romantic destination. There are also several hotels and lodges that make for a truly romantic getaway (book well in advance!).
Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.
Grand Canyon National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Grand Canyon National Park, as it is a very popular national park for budget travelers. Backpackers and budget travelers can take in one of America's most notable landmarks while camping at the large and affordable national park campground.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.
Alexandria is renowned for times when you don't have a car. However, Grand Canyon National Park is lacking in good options for its public transit.
Alexandria has a great public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.
Public transit is generally limited in Grand Canyon National Park. There are free shuttle buses that run along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Alexandria is renowned for its walkability. Also, Grand Canyon National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Alexandria. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.
Grand Canyon National Park is a somewhat walkable place. There's a nice rim walk that is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, but to reach many parts of the park you'll want to have a car or plan to take some form of transit.
For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Grand Canyon National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Alexandria or Grand Canyon National Park. In our opinion, Alexandria has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Alexandria than Grand Canyon National Park. In general, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 1-4 days is enough time in Grand Canyon National Park.
Families should spend more time in Grand Canyon National Park than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Grand Canyon National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Grand Canyon National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Grand Canyon National Park 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 Alexandria.
In Alexandria, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this historic destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
With around the gorgeous national park of Grand Canyon National Park, 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Grand Canyon National Park, one day is sufficent for most.
In Alexandria, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this beautiful destination offers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
With around the destination of Grand Canyon National Park, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this national park.
Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Alexandria. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This city offers something for everyone.
Grand Canyon National Park, a popular national park, 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.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful city of Alexandria. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Grand Canyon National Park 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 Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Grand Canyon National Park is $168. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alexandria and Grand Canyon National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Grand Canyon National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Prices for flights to both Grand Canyon National Park and Alexandria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Grand Canyon National Park, we can see that Grand Canyon National Park is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Grand Canyon National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Canyon National Park than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Grand Canyon National Park Expensive?.