A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Boone vs. Durham for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Boone or Durham?

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 Boone and Durham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Boone

Boone is a charming, relaxing, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boone and Durham: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Boone or Durham?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boone. Although Boone and Durham are popular destinations, Boone has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boone is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums. Boone is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm. It is also well known for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Boone different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Boone or Durham Better for Skiing?

Boone
Durham

Boone is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Durham is not a skiing destination.

Boone is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

Durham is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boone or Durham?

Boone
Durham

Durham is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Durham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Boone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

Is the Food Better in Boone or Durham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Boone
Durham

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Boone and Durham can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Boone is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Durham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Boone or Durham Better for Nightlife?

Boone
Durham

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

Boone offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.


Is Boone or Durham Better for Hiking?

Boone
Durham

Boone is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Boone is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boone or Durham?

Boone
Durham

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Boone. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Boone or Durham Better for Families?

Boone
Durham

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

Boone is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

Durham is a family-friendly town. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.


Is Boone or Durham Better for Couples?

Boone
Durham

Boone is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Boone is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Boone or Durham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boone
Durham

Boone is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Boone is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Boone or Durham Better for Students?

Boone
Durham

Boone is an amazing town to visit for students. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Boone. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

Durham is a great town to visit as a student. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.


Is Boone or Durham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boone
Durham

Boone and Durham both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Boone or Durham a more walkable city?

Boone
Durham

Boone is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Boone is a very walkable destination. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

Durham is generally not a very walkable town. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Boone Worth Visiting? and Is Durham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durham or Boone?

How long in Boone or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boone and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boone than in Durham. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Boone, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boone than Durham 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 Boone.


  • How many days in Boone or Durham? Ideal Length of Stay
    Boone 2-4 
    Durham 1-3

One day in Boone or Durham?

Boone might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Durham, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this sports oriented destination offers. 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 Boone or Durham?

Boone is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. 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 Boone or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boone. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Durham is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Durham. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Boone or Durham?

Boone is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the diverse destination of Durham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


Which place is cheaper, Durham or Boone?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Boone is $173, while the average daily cost in Durham is $162. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boone and Durham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boone $91
    Durham $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boone $182
    Durham $184
Compare Hotels in Boone and Durham

Looking for a hotel in Boone or Durham? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Boone


Hotels in Durham


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Boone Hotel Prices and Durham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boone $33
    Durham $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Boone or Durham?

Prices for flights to both Durham and Boone change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Boone $53
    Durham $44
Typical Food Prices in Boone

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boone:


  • Restaurant Lunch for 2
    $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boone $53
    Durham $26

Tours and Activities in Durham

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:

  • Downtown Durham Historic Walking Tour: $16
  • Durham African American History Tour: $16
  • Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20
  • True Crime Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boone $26
    Durham $34


When comparing the travel costs between Boone and Durham, we can see that Boone is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Boone or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Boone. When comparing the sizes of Boone and Durham, 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.