A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Avon vs. Rapid City for Attractions, Families, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Avon or Rapid City?

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 Avon and Rapid City. 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.

Avon

Avon is a scenic, active, and outdoorsy town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a fascinating, activity-filled, and friendly city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Avon and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avon or Rapid City?

Both Rapid City and Avon have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Avon is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, and resorts, while Rapid City attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and shopping. Avon is famous for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort. Rapid City is famous for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks.

How is Avon different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Skiing?

Avon is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Rapid City is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Avon. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.

Rapid City is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avon or Rapid City?

Rapid City is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Rapid City that are not to be missed. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

While most people don't head to Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Avon or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Avon and Rapid City offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Avon offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.

Rapid City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Avon is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Avon. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Resorts?

Avon is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Rapid City is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Avon makes a nice vacation spot. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

Rapid City is not a resort destination.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Rapid City is a popular spot for hiking. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Avon is a good destination for hiking. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.

Is the Shopping Better in Avon or Rapid City?

Rapid City is a good destination for shopping. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its shopping opportunities.

Rapid City is a great destination for shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

If you're looking to go shopping, Avon has some nice offerings. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Families?

Rapid City is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rapid City is very family-friendly. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Avon is a family-friendly town. There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Couples?

Rapid City is notable for romance. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Rapid City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is notable for backpackers. However, Avon is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Rapid City. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Avon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers prefer to stay closer to the ski facilities.

Is Avon or Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Avon is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Avon has some public transit options. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.

Public transit is generally limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

Is Avon or Rapid City a more walkable city?

Avon is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Avon is a somewhat walkable place. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Rapid City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Avon?

How long in Avon or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Avon or Rapid City. In our opinion, Rapid City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rapid City than Avon. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Avon 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 Rapid City.

One day in Avon or Rapid City?

With food and skiing around the outdoorsy town of Avon, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Rapid City. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Avon or Rapid City?

With skiing and nightlife around the destination of Avon, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Rapid City is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Avon or Rapid City?

Avon, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly destination of Rapid City. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Avon or Rapid City?

Avon 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.

The friendly city of Rapid City offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Avon or Rapid City?

Rapid City has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Avon. When comparing the sizes of Avon and Rapid 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.