A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Baltimore vs. Columbia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Baltimore or Columbia?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a vibrant, diverse, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia

Columbia is a friendly, welcoming, and suburban city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Columbia?

You'll generally find more things to do in Baltimore than Columbia. Baltimore is bigger than Columbia, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Baltimore is more touristy than Columbia and is known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. Also, Baltimore is famous for the National Aquarium. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Baltimore different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Baltimore or Columbia?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Baltimore or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Baltimore or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Baltimore offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Columbia?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Baltimore or Columbia Better for Families?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Baltimore or Columbia Better for Couples?

Baltimore is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Baltimore makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Baltimore or Columbia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Baltimore or Columbia Better for Students?

Columbia is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Columbia is popular with students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

Is Baltimore or Columbia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Baltimore can get you to some places easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Baltimore or Columbia a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Baltimore is a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Baltimore Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Columbia?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore than Columbia 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 Baltimore.

One day in Baltimore or Columbia?

The city of Baltimore offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Baltimore or Columbia?

Baltimore is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Baltimore, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the suburban destination of Columbia. 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 Baltimore or Columbia?

Baltimore is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Columbia. 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 Baltimore or Columbia?

Baltimore is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Columbia 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 Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Columbia?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore and Columbia, 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.

When is the best time to visit Baltimore or Columbia?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Baltimore or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Columbia. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences.

Baltimore is around the same temperature as Columbia in the summer. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 78°F (25°C) in July, and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Columbia. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baltimore or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Columbia. The autumn months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

In the autumn, Baltimore is cooler than Columbia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Baltimore in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Columbia averages at about 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. In the autumn, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. In January, Baltimore is generally much colder than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 32°F (0°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during winter. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Columbia. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baltimore or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Baltimore during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Baltimore for the activities around the city.

Baltimore is cooler than Columbia in the spring. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Baltimore. In the spring, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Baltimore