A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Anchorage vs. Calgary for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Anchorage or Calgary?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Anchorage and Calgary can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a scenic, breathtaking, and cultural city. The famous beauty of Anchorage is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Anchorage travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Anchorage and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Anchorage or Calgary?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Anchorage than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Anchorage, Anchorage has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Anchorage is very popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Calgary attracts visitors for its nightlife. Anchorage is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. It is also well known for Chugach State Park. Calgary is famous for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Anchorage different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Anchorage or Calgary?

Both Anchorage and Calgary have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Anchorage is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Calgary offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Is the Food Better in Anchorage or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Anchorage is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Anchorage. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Anchorage or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Calgary is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Calgary. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Anchorage or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Around Anchorage visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Anchorage or Calgary?

Both Anchorage and Calgary are nice shopping destinations.

Anchorage is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Calgary. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Anchorage or Calgary More Beautiful?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Anchorage is one of the main draws. The city offers access to spectacular beauty. It's surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking glaciers, and vast wilderness.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Anchorage or Calgary Better for Families?

Both Anchorage and Calgary are nice to visit with kids.

Anchorage is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Calgary is a family-friendly city. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Anchorage or Calgary Better for Couples?

Anchorage is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Anchorage frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Calgary is a good city for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Anchorage or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Anchorage and Calgary are nice destinations for backpackers.

Anchorage is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Anchorage or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calgary is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Calgary has a few public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Anchorage or Calgary a more walkable city?

Anchorage and Calgary both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Anchorage is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable city. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Anchorage Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Anchorage?

How long in Anchorage or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Anchorage or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Anchorage than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Anchorage, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

One day in Anchorage or Calgary?

In Anchorage, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Calgary. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calgary has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Anchorage or Calgary?

In Anchorage, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Anchorage has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Calgary. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Anchorage or Calgary?

Anchorage is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Calgary. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Anchorage or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Anchorage. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Calgary is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Anchorage or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Anchorage and Calgary, 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.