A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cape Canaveral vs. Aspen for Food, Families, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Aspen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a unique, iconic, and fascinating town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Aspen

Aspen is a outdoorsy, authentic, and charming ski town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife.

Cape Canaveral and Aspen: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to the Kennedy Space Center
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Good for hiking
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aspen. Although Cape Canaveral and Aspen are popular destinations, Aspen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aspen is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cape Canaveral attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Cape Canaveral is famous for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. Aspen is famous for its world-class skiing, many food, film, and music festivals, and its stunning mountain hikes. It is also well known for The Maroon Bells.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Aspen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Skiing?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is an unbeatable place for skiing. However, Cape Canaveral is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Aspen is among the best in the world. Near the town, there are 4 separate ski resorts. In town you'll find Aspen Mountain, which is known for it's black-diamond runs. Aspen Highlands, a couple miles away, has a mix of slopes and is less crowded. Buttermilk attracts many freestyle skiers and Aspen Snowmass is considered one of the best family-friendly ski areas.

Cape Canaveral is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Cape Canaveral is renowned for its museums and landmarks. However, Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cape Canaveral on the map. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cape Canaveral or Aspen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Aspen is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The town hosts many food festivals and there is a growing selection of diverse restaurants. In town you'll find cafes and restaurants that cater to both the local crowd and the travelers who flock to the area during peak seasons.

Cape Canaveral offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Nightlife?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Aspen has something for everybody. The people in Aspen know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene includes craft beer, live music, and dancing. There's a local vibe, particularly during the off-season times when the tourist crowds are less.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.


Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Music?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for its music scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not a live music destination.

Aspen has a thriving music scene. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Cape Canaveral is not a live music destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for its luxury resorts. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its resorts.

Aspen is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts in the area include The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis Aspen.

Cape Canaveral has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Beaches?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Cape Canaveral is a town with good options for the beach. However, Aspen is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Aspen is not a beach destination.


Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Hiking?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for hiking. However, Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Aspen for the hiking trails. During the summer and fall seasons, hiking is a great way to explore Aspen's nearby beauty. Popular trails include the Ute Trail, the Lost Man Trail, and the famous Maroon Bells Scenic Trail.

Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for its shopping areas. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Aspen. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

Cape Canaveral is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Christmas?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Cape Canaveral does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in Aspen. There are a number of beautiful activities that will bring the holiday season to life in the town.

Cape Canaveral does not offer Christmas activities.


Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Christmas Markets?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for visiting Christmas markets. However, Cape Canaveral does not offer Christmas markets.

Aspen has a large number of Christmas markets. The town has a charming Christmas market that is fun to explore and has around 40 vendors.

Cape Canaveral does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Cape Canaveral is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aspen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cape Canaveral is an extremely popular town to visit for families. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Aspen offers lots of family activities. Families that enjoy skiing together, hiking, rock climbing, and having adventures will enjoy a visit to this town. Aspen Mountain is not a great option for beginning skiers, but further away, Aspen Snowmass offers good beginner slopes.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Cape Canaveral and Aspen are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Cape Canaveral is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Aspen is a very popular place to visit for couples. Aspen is both a popular ski destination as well as an established town. There are many great restaurants and activities that couples can enjoy and the setting is cute and very scenic, making it a beautiful and romantic destination.


Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

While Aspen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Aspen a more walkable city?

Cape Canaveral
Aspen

Aspen is a great ski town for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

Aspen is a very walkable destination. The town is compact enough that it can be explored on foot. If you're planning to head into the mountains to hike, you'll likely need a car.

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Canaveral Worth Visiting? and Is Aspen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aspen or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

In either Cape Canaveral or Aspen, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Aspen than Cape Canaveral because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cape Canaveral, and 3-5 days is enough time in Aspen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aspen than Cape Canaveral 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 Aspen.


  • How many days in Cape Canaveral or Aspen? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cape Canaveral 1-3 
    Aspen 3-5

One day in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

In Cape Canaveral, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this unique destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Aspen might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

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

Aspen is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Cape Canaveral is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Cape Canaveral. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aspen. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

You'll find food and shopping around the fascinating destination of Cape Canaveral. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aspen is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Aspen or Cape Canaveral?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Canaveral is $220, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $293. 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 Cape Canaveral and Aspen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cape Canaveral $155
    Aspen $170
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cape Canaveral $310
    Aspen $340
Compare Hotels in Cape Canaveral and Aspen

Looking for a hotel in Cape Canaveral or Aspen? 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 Cape Canaveral


Hotels in Aspen


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: Aspen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cape Canaveral $35
    Aspen $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Canaveral

Also for Cape Canaveral, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Port Canaveral to Orlando Airport MCO and Hotels Private Transfer: $195
  • Private Van Transfer from Port Canaveral,Cocoa Beach to MCO: $70
  • Canaveral Cruise Port to Orlando Airport (MCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
  • Canaveral Cruise Port to Orlando Airport (MCO)-Departure Transfer: $84
  • One Way MCO Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral Private Transfer: $85
  • Orlando Airport to/from Port Canaveral Sedan Transfer up to 3 pax: $145
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Altamonte Springs: $246
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Celebration: $247
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Melbourne: $216
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to New Smyrna Beach: $239
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Ocoee: $254
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $282

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:

  • Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269
  • Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Prices for flights to both Aspen and Cape Canaveral 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
    Cape Canaveral $43
    Aspen $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Canaveral

For Cape Canaveral, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Port Canaveral Food Tours : $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cape Canaveral $17
    Aspen $45

Tours and Activities in Cape Canaveral

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cape Canaveral.

  • Wizard of OZ Museum tour: $30
  • Wizard of Oz Museum Entry Ticket: $32
  • Self-Guided Kayaking Manatee and Dolphin Tour: $55
  • Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures ticket: $58
  • Two Hour Bioluminescence Kayak Tour Near Orlando: $60
  • Dolphin & Manatee Kayaking Tour in Orlando Area: $65
  • Cape Canaveral Private Surf Lesson with Experienced Instructor: $70
  • Fully Guided Kayaking Backwater Manatee and Dolphin Tour: $75
  • Victory Cruises Casino Luxury Transportation: $75
  • Cocoa Beach Night Time Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $79
  • SUP Paddleboard Lesson and Tour - Port Canaveral & Cocoa Beach: $95
  • Wizard of OZ Museum Ticket with Guided Tour by the Owner: $125

Tours and Activities in Aspen

Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
  • Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
  • From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
  • Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cape Canaveral $13
    Aspen $20


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Aspen?

Cape Canaveral has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral and Aspen, 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.