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

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Should you visit Boston or Denver?

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 Boston and Denver. 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.

Boston

Boston is a traditional, classic, and historic classic. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Denver

Denver is a sprawling and park-filled city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and hiking.

How is Boston different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Boston or Denver better for Museums and Historical Sights?

Interesting museums and landmarks can be found in both Denver and Boston, but many consider Boston to be a step above.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Boston that are not to be missed. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Denver offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.


Is Boston or Denver better for Food?

Most foodies will appreciate the options in Boston a bit more than Denver.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Denver. While you're in town you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Boston or Denver better for Nightlife?

Evening events are similar in both Boston and Denver.

Boston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.

Is Boston or Denver better for Families?

Both Boston and Denver are family-friendly destinations.

Boston is a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the history, gardens, and parks around town.

Denver is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Boston or Denver better for Public Transit?

While Denver and Boston both provide public transit, overall the system in Boston is considered to be better.

Visitors in Boston can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Denver has a few public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offers good access to much of Denver.


Is Boston or Denver a more walkable city?

Boston is generally more walkable than Denver.

It is easy to get around Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Denver is not a walkable classic. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

Boston and Denver: Pros and Cons

Boston
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Family-friendly
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
Denver
Pros
  • Family-friendly
Cons
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Should I spend more time in Denver or Boston?

How long in Boston or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boston and Denver. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Denver.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Boston is 3-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Denver is 2-3 days.


  • How many days in Boston or Denver? Ideal Length of Stay
    Boston 3-5 
    Denver 2-3

One day in Boston or Denver?

Boston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and skiing when visiting the destination of Denver. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Boston or Denver?

Boston is a great place to explore. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Denver 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.

Five days in Boston or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boston. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denver. Five days may feel like too much time here unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A week in Boston or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the historic big city of Boston. This classic offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the park-filled destination of Denver. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Which city is cheaper, Denver or Boston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $203, while the average daily cost in Denver is $174. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boston and Denver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boston $132
    Denver $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boston $264
    Denver $138

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boston $28
    Denver $81
Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $35
  • Subway Daily Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Boston Airport BOS: $28
  • Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport to Hotel: $30
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Boston Airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer by Private Car Service: $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer Boston Airport to Boston City: $60
  • Private Departure Transfer from Boston City to Boston Airport: $60
  • Private Airport Transfer: Logan International Airport (BOS) to Boston: $64
  • Arrival Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston Business or Luxury Vehicle: $67
  • Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle: $67
  • Boston Logan International Airport Private Transfer: $68
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Denver Airport (DEN): $46
  • Private Arrival Transfer - from Denver Airport (DEN): $46
  • Private Departure Transfer from Denver City to DEN Denver Airport: $54
  • Private Arrival Transfer from DEN Denver Airport to Denver City: $58
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Denver hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Transfer in Private Car from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN): $72
  • Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $72
  • Private Airport Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Denver: $81
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Denver to Denver International Airport (DEN): $81
  • Transfer in private minivan from Denver International Airport(DEN) to Downtown: $86
  • Transfer in private minivan from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN): $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Denver?

Prices for flights to both Denver and Boston 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
    Boston $40
    Denver $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.

  • Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour: $49
  • Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour: $71
  • Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston): $79
  • Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $81
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End: $103
  • Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $105
  • Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise: $118
  • Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $122
  • North End Neighborhood Food Tour: $150

Typical Food prices in Denver

Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:


  • Sushi Dinner (for 2)
    $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.

  • Small-Group Food Tour in Denver: $69
  • Haunted Denver Walking Food Tour: $73
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver: $77
  • Walking Food Tour - Best of Union Station & LoDo: $79
  • Denver Cooking Classes-Local, seasonal, and hands on menus: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boston $26
    Denver $42
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

Tours and Activities in Boston

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

  • Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $3.95
  • Self-Guided Boston Christmas Tour: $4.50
  • The Great Cannoli Tour: $5.00
  • Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Boston's Freedom Trail - Smart Phone guided (GPS) walking tour - go anytime: $5.00
  • The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
  • Boston's Freedom Trail, 3 tours in 1, Smart Phone Guided Tour (GPS) - go anytime: $7.99
  • Freedom Trail Best Tour (Boston Common to Faneuil Hall): $15
  • Boston Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Freedom Trail Walking Tours: $16
  • Tour of The Freedom Trail: $16
  • Downtown Freedom Trail Walking Tour in Boston: $20

Tours and Activities in Denver

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

  • Spokes and Scoops: Explore Denver's top ice cream spots on an audio bicycle tour: $5.20
  • Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour: $12
  • Virtual Reality Experiences for Everyone: $21
  • Denver Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Best of Denver Tour: $22
  • Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour: $22
  • Twilight Ghost Tour: $22
  • Denver Ghost Tour: $23
  • 1.5 Hour LoDo Walking Tour in Denver: $25
  • Moscow Mule Experience: $32
  • From Mining to Modern Walking Tour of Denver: $35
  • History and Whiskey Tour in Denver: $35

For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boston $22
    Denver $4.25

Sample the Local Flavors in Boston

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:

  • Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail: $56
  • Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour: $90

Sample the Local Flavors in Denver

Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour in Lower Downtown: $26
  • Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - South Broadway (SoBo): $27
  • 3-Hour Brewery Walking Tour: $49
  • Craft Distillery Bus Tour: $71

About these numbers

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

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Boston vs. Denver Travel Comparison

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