A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Boulder vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Boulder or Halifax?

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 Halifax. 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 biker-friendly, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Halifax

Halifax is a historical, friendly, and cultural city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boulder and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boulder or Halifax?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Boulder than Halifax. While Halifax is larger than Boulder, Boulder has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Boulder is very popular for its skiing, music, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Halifax attracts visitors for its museums & sights. Boulder is famous for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries. It is also well known for The Flatirons. Halifax is famous for its maritime past.

How is Boulder different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Skiing?

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

Locals like to visit Boulder to take advantage of their winter sports. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Halifax is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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 Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Boulder and Halifax can be an enjoyable experience.

Boulder has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Halifax area. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Music?

Boulder is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Halifax is not a live music destination.

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

Halifax is not a live music destination.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Hiking?

Boulder is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boulder or Halifax?

If you're looking to go shopping, Boulder and Halifax both offer plenty of nice 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 Halifax to go shopping. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Families?

Both Boulder and Halifax are nice family-friendly destinations.

Boulder offers lots of family activities. 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.

Halifax is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Couples?

Boulder and Halifax both nice destinations for a couple.

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

Halifax is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Boulder and Halifax are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Boulder or Halifax Better for Students?

Boulder is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax is not popular with students.

Boulder is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

Halifax is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Boulder is not known for its public transit.

While Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Boulder or Halifax a more walkable city?

Boulder and Halifax are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Halifax is a somewhat walkable city. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Boulder?

How long in Boulder or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boulder and Halifax. In our opinion, Boulder has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Boulder than Halifax. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Boulder than Halifax. 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 Halifax 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 Halifax?

In Boulder, you'll find nightlife and live music. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Halifax, 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.

A weekend in Boulder or Halifax?

In Boulder, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Boulder has to offer.

In Halifax, 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 Halifax has to offer.

Five days in Boulder or Halifax?

Boulder is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Halifax 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boulder. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Boulder. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Halifax. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Halifax. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Boulder or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Boulder and Halifax, 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.