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

Should you visit Boulder or Saskatoon?

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 Saskatoon. 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 outdoorsy, nature-filled, and biker-friendly city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and hiking.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a friendly, authentic, and cultural city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boulder and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boulder or Saskatoon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boulder than Saskatoon. While Saskatoon is larger than Boulder, Boulder has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boulder is better known for its skiing, music, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saskatoon is more popular for its museums & sights. Boulder is more touristy than Saskatoon and is popular for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries. Also, Boulder is famous for The Flatirons. Saskatoon is well known for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Boulder different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Skiing?

Boulder is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Saskatoon is not a skiing destination.

Boulder is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Saskatoon is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Saskatoon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

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 Saskatoon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Boulder and Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon area. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Music?

Boulder is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Saskatoon is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boulder. During the summer months there are often outdoor concerts. Head to Pearl Street for open air stages or see a concert at Boulder Theater.

Saskatoon is not a live music destination.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Hiking?

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

Boulder is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boulder or Saskatoon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Boulder and Saskatoon both offer plenty of notable 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 Saskatoon to go shopping. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Families?

Both Boulder and Saskatoon are notable 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.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

Boulder and Saskatoon both notable 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.

Saskatoon is a good city for couples to visit. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boulder is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Saskatoon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this town in favor of more popular destinations.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon Better for Students?

Boulder is a well-known place for students. However, Saskatoon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Boulder. 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.

Saskatoon is not popular with students.

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

Boulder and Saskatoon both offer respectable 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 Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Is Boulder or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

Boulder and Saskatoon are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Boulder?

How long in Boulder or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boulder and Saskatoon. In our opinion, Boulder has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Boulder than Saskatoon. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Boulder, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Boulder. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Saskatoon, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Saskatoon?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the biker-friendly destination of Boulder. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

In Saskatoon, 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 Saskatoon has to offer.

Five days in Boulder or Saskatoon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the nature-filled city of Boulder. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon?

Boulder is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saskatoon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saskatoon. 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 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Boulder or Saskatoon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Boulder and Saskatoon, 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.