A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Aspen vs. Salt Lake City for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Aspen or Salt Lake City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Aspen and Salt Lake City 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.

Aspen

Aspen is a outdoorsy, authentic, and charming ski town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it 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.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a notable, religious, and architectural city. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and hiking.

Aspen and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aspen. Although Aspen and Salt Lake City are popular destinations, Aspen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aspen is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Salt Lake City attracts visitors for its museums and scuba diving & snorkeling. 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. Salt Lake City is famous for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population.

How is Aspen different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Skiing?

Aspen is a world-class destination for skiing and snowboarding. However, Salt Lake City is not a skiing destination.

Aspen is among the world's best ski destinations. 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.

Salt Lake City is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salt Lake City. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Aspen or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aspen is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Aspen has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Aspen is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Aspen has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Music?

Aspen is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Aspen while you're in town. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Resorts?

Aspen is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Aspen. Popular resorts in the area include The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis Aspen.

Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aspen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Salt Lake City. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Aspen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Aspen is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Aspen. 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.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Aspen is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Aspen. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Christmas?

Aspen is a world-class destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Salt Lake City does not offer Christmas activities.

Aspen offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. There are a number of beautiful activities that will bring the holiday season to life in the town.

Salt Lake City does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Christmas Markets?

Aspen is a very popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Salt Lake City does not offer Christmas markets.

Aspen offers plenty of Christmas markets. The town has a charming Christmas market that is fun to explore and has around 40 vendors.

Salt Lake City does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Both Aspen and Salt Lake City are nice to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aspen. 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.

Salt Lake City offers lots of family activities. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Aspen is a very popular place for couples. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Aspen makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aspen and Salt Lake City.

You'll find some public transit in Aspen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

While Salt Lake City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Is Aspen or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Aspen is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options 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.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Aspen Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Aspen?

How long in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aspen and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Aspen than in Salt Lake City. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Aspen, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

Families should spend more time in Aspen than Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aspen that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aspen than Salt Lake City 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 Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Aspen might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Salt Lake City, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this religious destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Aspen is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salt Lake City. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Five days in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aspen. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Salt Lake City is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Salt Lake City. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Aspen is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the notable destination of Salt Lake City. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aspen or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Aspen and Salt Lake City, 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.