A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boise vs. Anchorage for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Boise or Anchorage?

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

Should I visit Boise or Anchorage? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Boise

Boise is a friendly, welcoming, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a breathtaking, cultural, and artsy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Boise and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boise or Anchorage?

You'll generally find more things to do in Anchorage than Boise. Anchorage is bigger than Boise, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Anchorage is better known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Boise is more popular for its nightlife. Anchorage is more touristy than Boise and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Also, Anchorage is famous for Chugach State Park. Boise is well known for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Boise different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Anchorage and Boise.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boise. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

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.

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

Anchorage is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Anchorage is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Boise or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Boise 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 Boise. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

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 Boise or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

People visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boise or Anchorage?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Boise and Anchorage.

Boise has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

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.

Is Boise or Anchorage Better for Families?

Anchorage is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. 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.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Boise or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Anchorage is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Boise or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Anchorage is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boise is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Anchorage. 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.

Boise is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Backpackers rarely make their way to this town.

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

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

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

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 Boise or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Boise and Anchorage are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Boise is generally not a very walkable city. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Boise?

How long in Boise or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boise and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Anchorage than in Boise. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Boise, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Anchorage than Boise 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 Anchorage.

One day in Boise or Anchorage?

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

In Anchorage, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this artsy destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Boise or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Boise. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Boise or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Boise. 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.

Anchorage is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Anchorage. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Boise or Anchorage?

Boise 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Boise or Anchorage?

Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Boise. When comparing the sizes of Boise and Anchorage, 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.