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

Should you visit Boulder or Boise?

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 Boulder and Boise. 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.

Boulder

Boulder is a nature-filled, biker-friendly, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Boise

Boise is a welcoming, authentic, and friendly city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Boulder and Boise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boulder or Boise?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Boulder than Boise. While Boise is larger than Boulder, Boulder has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Boulder is more popular for its skiing, food, music, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Boise is known for its museums. Boulder is more touristy than Boise and is known for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries. It is also home to The Flatirons. Boise is popular for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Boulder different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Boulder or Boise Better for Skiing?

Boulder is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Boise is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Boulder for snow skiing. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Boise is not a skiing destination.

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

Boise is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Boulder is not known for its sights and museums.

Boise offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Boulder offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit Boulder for the outdoor activities more than the museums and sights. If have the time you can wander around the University of Colorado Boulder campus, visit the Museum of Boulder, or see the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art.

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

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

Boulder is becoming an appealing option for foodies. This is an often overlooked foodie town, with great farmer's markets and restaurants to try. There are many casual places to eat as well as vegetarian and vegan friendly options everywhere.

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 Boulder or Boise Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Boulder and Boise.

If you're looking for night time activities Boulder has a few options to choose from. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Live music is popular and many venues are smaller with a more personal atmosphere. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.

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.

Is Boulder or Boise Better for Music?

Boulder is a popular place for its music scene. However, Boise is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Boulder is active and vibrant. During the summer months there are often outdoor concerts. Head to Pearl Street for open air stages or see a concert at Boulder Theater.

Boise is not a live music destination.

Is Boulder or Boise Better for Hiking?

Boulder is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Boulder. There are many accessible hikes in the area that take you through the mountains, by wildflowers, or up mountain peaks. Popular hikes that are nearby include the Bear Peak Summit Hike, the trails in Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Falls.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boulder or Boise?

If you're looking to go shopping, Boulder and Boise both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boulder. The downtown area has many local retailers where you can shop for clothing, art, or home goods. You can also pick up outdoor gear, camping equipment, and any other items you may need in town. Make sure you wander down the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall.

Many visitors go to Boise to go shopping. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Is Boulder or Boise Better for Families?

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

Boulder is a family-friendly city. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages. There are plenty places to get outdoors with hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor recreational activities. Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to explore as well.

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 Boulder or Boise Better for Couples?

Boulder is a popular place for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Boulder is a good city for couples to visit. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. You can wander down Pearl Street or go for a bike ride. There are also great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal and then head to Panorama Point to take in the view.

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 Boulder or Boise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boulder. There are a number of backcountry areas in the region that are perfect for backpackers. The city also has a young population and several affordable places to stay.

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 Boulder or Boise Better for Students?

Boulder is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Boise is not popular with students.

Boulder is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. With the University of Colorado, Boulder in town, this city is a popular spot for students. It's an outdoor enthusiast's perfect base with many outdoor recreational activities in the area.

Boise is not popular with students.

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

Boulder and Boise both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town, but you really need a car to fully experience everything that the city has to offer.

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

Is Boulder or Boise a more walkable city?

Boulder is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Boise is lacking in options for its walkability.

Boulder is a somewhat walkable city. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike-friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Boise or Boulder?

How long in Boulder or Boise?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boulder 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 Boulder.

One day in Boulder or Boise?

In Boulder, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this nature-filled destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Boise, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Boulder or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boulder. 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.

In Boise, you'll find nightlife 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 Boise has to offer.

Five days in Boulder or Boise?

Boulder is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Boulder. 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.

Boise 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.

A week in Boulder or Boise?

You'll find live music and food around the biker-friendly destination of Boulder. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boulder and Boise, we can see that Boulder 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 Boulder would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boulder 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 Boulder Expensive? and Is Boise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boulder or Boise?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Boulder and Boise, 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.