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

Should you visit Baltimore or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Baltimore than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Baltimore, Baltimore has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baltimore is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Baltimore is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Baltimore different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Baltimore is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Baltimore. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Baltimore is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Baltimore has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Baltimore or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Baltimore has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Baltimore or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Phoenix?

Baltimore is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Baltimore. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Baltimore or Phoenix Better for Families?

Baltimore is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Baltimore or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Both Baltimore and Phoenix are good destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Phoenix is a good city for couples to visit. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Baltimore or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Baltimore is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Baltimore is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Baltimore. 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 generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Baltimore or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Baltimore and Phoenix. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Baltimore than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Baltimore, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Baltimore than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Baltimore, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Baltimore or Phoenix?

In Baltimore, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Baltimore has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

Baltimore is a great place to explore. 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 food when visiting the laid back city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Baltimore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Baltimore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Baltimore 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Baltimore.

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Baltimore. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Baltimore or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Baltimore during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Phoenix in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Baltimore is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baltimore in July average around 78°F (25°C), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Baltimore. In the summer, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Baltimore in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Baltimore is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 57°F (14°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Baltimore or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Baltimore can be very cold during winter. Baltimore is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 32°F (0°C) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Baltimore is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baltimore in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Baltimore